Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

This homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning recipe is a spicy marinade of fresh herbs and spices similar to traditional Jamaican jerk but without added sugar. Add this versatile sauce to everything from meat to veggies.

Jamaican Jerk Marinade

When most people think about Caribbean cuisine, they think about Jamaican food. And one of the most popular dishes from Jamaica is jerk chicken! I can’t blame them; jerk chicken is delicious and one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken.

All the store-bought Jerk seasoning and spices I have access has added sugar. Recipes I found online have browning (caramelized burnt sugar), sugar, msg, soy sauce, honey, and a host of other fillers, so I worked on this recipe and it is identical in flavor profile to jar jerk marinade without the fillers.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Jerk Seasoning Recipe

• Easy to Make: Simply gather your ingredients and blend until you reach your desired consistency.
• Versatile: Mix and match ingredients to suit your taste buds. Once it’s done, I absolutely love this for jerk chicken but you can use it for seafood, pork and even steak!
• Better than Storebought: With homemade jerk seasoning, you know exactly what you are feeding your family.

What is jerk seasoning made of?

Traditional jerk seasoning is made with scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, and allspice. There are usually a range of other ingredients added but those are the main ingredients associated with the iconic seasoning.

Jerk Seasoning vs Jerk Marinade

Throughout the Carribean, jerk marinade is often referenced as jerk seasoning, hence the title of this recipe. This jerk seasoning recipe is for the wet sauce, used to marinate everything from pork and chicken to vegetables and seafood.

What makes this Jerk Seasoning Whole30 and Paleo?

Sugar and sometimes browning (dark caramelized cane sugar) are typically added to traditional jerk seasoning. In this recipe, I am using coconut aminos as a substitute for the sugar and the browning. Since it is refined sugar-free, it is Whole30 compatible.

When blended with the fresh herbs and spices this Whole30 jerk seasoning looks almost identical to versions the store bought versions, but honestly tastes so much better.

Ingredients for Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

This is a fresh, spicy, savory medley of herbs, vegetables, and seasonings.

• Onions: Use yellow onion and scallions
• Fresh Thyme: This is adds a herbaceous flavor.
• Peppers: Scotch bonnet is the traditional Jamaican chili of choice, but as a Guyanese woman I love the flavor or wiri wiri peppers. You can also use a habanero pepper instead.
• Ginger: This warm spice is essential to most Jamaican recipes.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for a pack of garlicky flavor.
• Coconut Aminos: This is a soy and refined sugar free substitute for sugar and browning sauce that is in traditional recipes.. It has a sweet taste but has no refined sugar.
• Pimento Berries or All Spice: This tastes like a delicious blend of spices.
• Ground Spices: I use ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
• Mustard (not pictured above): This adds a zesty, saucy quality.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Staples to am up the flavor of the marinate/
• Vinegar (not pictured above): This adds an acidic quality. The acidity is also great for the marinade, as it will help the sauce penetrate meats.
• Avocado Oil (Not pictured above): This adds moisture to the jerk seasoning.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Jerk Seasoning

This jerk seasoning is very easy to make. Add all of your ingredients, except for the liquid ingredients (vinegar, coconut aminos, and oil) to a food processor and blend until it comes together smooth.

Then add the coconut aminos, vinegar, and oil and pulse until combined.

Then pour your jerk seasoning into a mason jar and store in the refrigerator. I love whipping up a fresh batch and pouring it over chicken. Then I let the chicken marinate overnight for the best jerk flavor imaginable.

Is jerk seasoning spicy?

The spice is really comes from the chili peppers. Jamaicans use scotch bonnet peppers but for this recipe, I am using wiri wiri pepper, a chili pepper that is widely used in Guyana. You may substitute for habanero peppers and of course, the more peppers you use, the spicier your seasoning will be. For a mild jerk flavor, remove some of the seeds and ribs from your pepper and for a spicier jerk flavor add more pepper. 

How to use Homemade Jerk Seasoning

Use it to enhance flavor and add moisture to your favorite dishes. It also acts as a tenderizer for tougher cuts of meat. This seasoning is perfect on any protein. Try these popular recipes with: Oven Baked Jerk Chicken Thighs, Jerk Wings, Pan Cooked Jerk Chicken Breasts, and Jerk Chicken Pasta.

Storage

Homemade Jamaican Jerk seasoning stores very well when refrigerated. After making a batch, store it in an airtight container or jar and place it in the fridge. Use it within 7 days for the best results.

Tips for the Best Jerk Seasoning

• Never prepare a meal with used jerk marinade. If you used the seasoning blend to marinate raw meat, discard any leftover marinade. However, if you know you want to use the sauce for other things, reserve some before using it as a marinade.
• When using jerk seasoning, completely coat whatever food you are seasoning so the flavor properly penetrates.
• If using this seasoning as a marinade, note that different foods will need different marinating times. While fish, shrimp, and vegetables will benefit from an hour or less of marinating, meat usually needs at least 3-4 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions