Jamaican jerk spice blend comes together quickly, and it tastes great on everything from beef to poultry to fish. Save your money and use ingredients from your pantry to make homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning. Use it as is, or turn the rub into a paste by adding scotch bonnets to make a classic jerk marinade.
What is Jerk?
“Jerk” is associated with a distinct flavor profile, but the term describes a Jamaican cooking technique of roasting meat and vegetables over an open flame. The popular jerk flavor comes from a surprising ingredient- pimento wood! Pimento trees are native to Jamaica and the wood of choice to build a fire. And wouldn’t you know it? Pimento trees produce allspice berries, one of the main ingredients in jerk seasoning. As the wood burns, natural oils release, producing smoke that infuses grilled meat with deep aromatics.
What is Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?
This crave-worthy spice blend varies from region to region. Jerk rubs and wet sauces provide a similar smokey flavor to food without preparing your meal over an open flame, making this delicious flavor accessible to home cooks everywhere. The main ingredients are allspice, thyme, and fresh scotch bonnets. While I don’t include scotch bonnets in this recipe, I add heat with cayenne and red pepper flakes. You can also dehydrate scotch bonnets and grind them into a powder if you want more heat and a distinctive jerk flavor.
What You Need to Make this Recipe
- Onion Powder: Use onion powder, not onion salt.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds garlicky flavor with a hint of sweetness.
- Cayenne Pepper: Build heat that doesn’t overwhelm using cayenne.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika provides warm, smoky heat.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add more heat and a bit of smokiness with red pepper flakes.
- Cumin: Cumin lends a warm, citrusy flavor to the spice blend.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg rounds out the other spices in the mixture with its nutty sweetness.
- Allspice: For a signature flavor and a nod to the pimento trees, include allspice.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon provides color and imparts sweetness that counteracts the heat.
- Thyme: Dried thyme blends with the other ingredients and adds earthiness.
- Salt + Pepper: Use Kosher salt and coarse ground pepper.
How to Make Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the ingredients to a mixing bowl; stir to combine.
Step 2: Store the spice blend in an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- I recommend using fresh spices and herbs, as spices lose their potency over time.
- Taste the jerk seasoning and adjust the spices to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, add some brown sugar or honey. If you want it spicier, add scotch bonnet peppers.
- Store the jerk seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Use the spice blend to marinate your favorite meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables for a delicious and authentic Jamaican flavor.
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Serving Suggestions
Historically, Jamaican jerk seasoning is for chicken, pork, and fish, but this versatile spice blend is the base for many recipes.
- Jamaican Chicken Fricassee, Roasted Jerk Chicken, Jerk Chicken Wings
- Rasta Pasta
- Jamaican Oxtail Stew, Beef Ribs
- Jerk Marinade
- Jerk Shrimp Tacos
- Pork Loin, Pork Chops
Storage
Store the spice blend in an airtight jar in your pantry or cabinet for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in jerk seasoning?
Making the spice blend at home is the best way to get bold flavors catered to your taste buds, and all you have to do is add your favorite meat or vegetable and start cooking. Here is what we put in ours:
• Herbs – Dried thyme
• Aromatics – Onion and Garlic Powder
• Spices – Cumin, Nutmeg, Allspice, and Cinnamon
• Heat – Cayenne, Red Pepper Flakes, and Smoked Paprika
• Seasoning – Salt and Pepper
What does jerk seasoning taste like?
The seasoning has a sweet, smoky, earthy heat. The best part about making the spice blend at home and not just buying one at the store is that you can alter the spices to cater to your taste buds. Classic jerk seasoning often contains allspice, onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. We added other spices to the base, resulting in a salty, sweet, and smokey spice blend.
What is a good substitute for jerk seasoning?
Honestly, there isn’t one. It’s a delicious and versatile spice to have in your pantry. If you don’t feel like making a homemade spice blend, I recommend purchasing the store-bought version. Another replacement option is to use a Cajun (like our Slap Ya Mama Seasoning recipe) or Creole seasoning and add brown sugar, nutmeg, and allspice.
More Recipes:
Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
- Airtight Jar
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper, coarse ground
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon cumin, ground
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- ½ tablespoon all spice
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon, ground
- 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
- Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl; stir to combine.
- Store the spice blend in an airtight container.
- I recommend using fresh spices and herbs, as spices lose their potency over time.
- Taste the jerk seasoning and adjust the spices to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, add some brown sugar or honey. If you want it spicier, add scotch bonnet peppers.
- Store the jerk seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Use the spice blend to marinate your favorite meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables for a delicious and authentic Jamaican flavor.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.