Jerk Seasoning
Jerk seasoning is a bold spice blend made with warm spices, herbs, and a touch of heat. This homemade mix is inspired by traditional Jamaican jerk seasoning and comes together quickly using pantry ingredients. Use this jerk seasoning for chicken, pork, shrimp, or vegetables when you want big Caribbean-style flavor.
Servings: 16
Calories: 19kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar optional, but it balances out the spice blend and gives the flavors that browning sauce adds to jerk dishes. Regular or brown sugar replacement works well here.
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 ½ tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt
- 2 tsp Ground Ginger
- 2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to an airtight container
- Mix the spices until incorporated
- Store for up to 6 months
Notes
- Start with about 2 tablespoons per pound: For most chicken, pork, or shrimp, about 2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning per pound gives bold flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Let the seasoning rest on the meat: After seasoning, let chicken or pork sit for at least 30 minutes before cooking so the spices have time to stick and flavor the meat.
- Make a quick jerk marinade for chicken or pork: Mix the seasoning with 2–3 tablespoons oil and a squeeze of lime juice to create a simple marinade. Let chicken or pork sit for 30 minutes to a few hours before cooking.
- Season shrimp right before cooking: Shrimp cooks quickly and doesn’t need to be marinated. Similar to what I do in cast iron skillet shrimp, toss it with oil and jerk seasoning just before cooking for the best texture.
- Adjust the heat level: Cayenne is easy to find and adds reliable heat, but Scotch bonnet powder can be used for a more traditional jerk-style spice. Just plan ahead in terms of buying it since it is hard to find scotch bonnet pepper powder in stores.
- Use brown sugar for balance: The optional brown sugar adds a light sweetness that balances the warm spices and heat.
- Store it properly: Keep the seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark place so the spices stay fresh longer.
Nutrition
Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 508IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
