Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

This Jamaican jerk seasoning recipe is a simple but tasty homemade recipe. Great to have on hand when you want that Island flavour!

This homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning blend is easy to make and will give your grilled meats that traditional island taste. Make a big batch and store in an airtight container for later use. Great on chicken, pork chops, fish fillets, shrimp or even tofu!

About the Ingredients for the Jerk Seasoning

You can adjust the seasoning ratios to your taste, for example if you like your Jerk to have more kick, add more heat.

Aromatics – Powdered onion, garlic, and ginger.

Spices – Nutmeg, allspice, smoked paprika, cinnamon.

Heat – Red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper. I kept these basic to suit North American pantries, but scotch bonnet powder will give a more authentic kick in place of the cayenne pepper.

Sugar – A little brown sugar adds a lot of depth.

Seasoning – Salt & pepper.

Herbs – Dried parsley and thyme. (We use a lot of thyme in our household so typically buy fresh thyme and let it dry.)

What is Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?

Jerk Seasoning is a Jamaican spice blend that is very flavorful. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is also called Jamaican Seasoning, Jamaican Spice Blend and Jamaican Spice Mix.

Jerk Chicken is traditionally made with a wet seasoning made from fresh ingredients like green onion and scotch bonnet peppers. This spice blend is a convenient way to mimic those flavours at home.

This spice blend is typically used as a dry rub to flavour beef, pork and chicken. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning can also be used to season Jamaican dishes like rice and peas, or Jamaican oxtail stew.

How to Store Dry Seasoning Blends

Dry seasoning blends should be stored in an airtight container for long-term storage. Dry seasoning blends like this Jamaican Jerk Spice Blend do not have to be refrigerated unless you live in a very hot and humid climate.

Store your seasonings in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight. Heat and humidity can cause the seasonings to lose flavor over time because the ingredients are very absorbent and will also draw moisture out of the air resulting in clumping.

If your Jamaican Jerk Seasoning begins to clump or harden, simply place the uncovered seasoning blend in a warm oven (about 150 degrees F.) and allow it to “bake” for a few minutes. Stir well to all the ingredients are mixed again and let cool.

How to Use Jerk Spice Blend

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is generally used to flavor grilled meats, but can also be used as a seasoning for other Jamaican food dishes, such as Jamaican patties and Jamaican stewed chicken. Try it in these delicious recipes:

Learn how to make Jerk Chicken with Sweet & Spicy Pineapple Salsa, the combination of flavors in this recipe will leave you wanting more!

This Jamaican Rice and Peas recipe is an authentic recipe for the traditional Jamaican side dish featuring fragrant thyme and coconut milk! Add a tablespoon of jerk seasoning for some extra flavour!

Cook these Shrimp Boil Foil Packets over a campfire, on the grill or in your oven for an easy family dinner with almost no cleanup! Kick them up a notch by swapping out the Old Bay seasoning for jerk seasoning.

How to Make Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Yields: 1/2 Cup | Prep Time: 2 Mins | Cook Time: 0 Mins

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper
2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
2 Teaspoon Ground Allspice
2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
2 Tablespoon Dried Thyme
2 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Salt
2 Teaspoon Paprika or Smoked Paprika
1 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon Powder
1 Tablespoon Ground Ginger
1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together well in a small bowl.

Store in a spice jar or other air tight container.

If you love the ceramic and driftwood spoon shown in my photos, it is handmade in Canada and available to purchase on etsy. It’s such a gorgeous piece and makes a great gift!