Learn how to make your own Jerk Seasoning with a handful of ingredients in just minutes to add warm Caribbean-inspired flavor to meats, veggies, and all your favorite recipes!
What Is Jerk Seasoning?
Jerk seasoning, also referred to as Jamaican jerk seasoning, is a blend of common herbs and spices that are used to add warm flavor with a hint of heat to a variety of recipes. It’s the secret behind the flavor of infamous jerk chicken recipes!
You can find pre-made jerk seasoning blends and sauces at your local grocery store. However, it’s also incredibly easy to make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Recipe
We’re all for saving time with store-bought mixes and sauces. However, requiring just five minutes to make, this jerk seasoning recipe comes together in less time than it takes to run to the store! Plus, it is:
- Made with pantry staple seasonings.
- Easy to customize.
- Great to make ahead of time and keep on hand.
- Versatile and easy to use.
What Is Jerk Seasoning Made Of?
Featuring bold flavors and lots of depth, jerk seasoning uses quite a handful of ingredients, but we’re willing to bet you already have most, if not all of them, on hand!
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Parsley
- Cayenne Pepper
- Coconut Palm Sugar
- Paprika – Use smoked paprika or sweet paprika depending on your preferences.
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Ground Allspice
- Dried Thyme
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Ground Nutmeg
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Cumin – This is technically optional, but we love the warmth it adds!
- Ground Ginger – Substitute ground cloves, if preferred.
Note: Some jerk seasoning recipes use salt and others don’t. Feel free to omit it, if preferred.
Recipe Steps
This seasoning is so simple, we can hardly call it a recipe!
- Combine. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl.
- Mix. Whisk until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Store. Transfer the mixture to a spice jar or airtight container.
How to Store
Once combined, transfer your jerk seasoning blend to an airtight container, and keep it stored in an airtight container for up to 1 year!
Pro-Tip: For the best results, use fresh herbs and spices! You’ll know your seasoning mix has gone stale if the color dulls and the aroma fades.
Ways to Use Homemade Jerk Seasoning
If we’re being honest, there’s not much this blend can’t be used on! However, some of our favorite ways to use it are with:
- Chicken (roasted, kabobs, baked, grilled)
- Fish (salmon, halibut, cod, etc.)
- Vegetables (roasted, air fried, or grilled)
- Soups and Stews
Pro-Tip: Take the recipe a step farther by blending it with oil such as olive oil or avocado oil to create a marinade for protein and veggies.
Common Questions About This Easy Jerk Seasoning Recipe
Jerk is a term used to refer to a style of cooking popular in Jamaica that involves poking holes into meat so that it can absorb more flavor. This technique is often referred to as jerking. In addition, the unique flavor of the seasonings used in the process has become known as jerk seasoning.
Jerk seasoning is a dry spice rub, and jerk sauce is a liquid poured over ingredients or served as a dip.
Jerk seasoning is predominantly known for being spicy with just a touch of sweetness. However, the spice level will depend on the ingredients used and how much of each spice you include!
More of Our Favorite
More Ways to Flavor Your Meals
If you enjoy this jerk seasoning recipe, you won’t want to miss out on more of our favorite ways to add flavor to all your meals!
Jerk Seasoning Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ½ cup 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Learn how to make a homemade jerk seasoning recipe with simple ingredients to add sweet and spicy flavor to all your meals!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
- ½ Tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 2 to 3 teaspoons coconut palm sugar, to taste
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons kosher salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon cinnamon ground
- Optional: ¼ to ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Optional: ¼ to ½ teaspoon ground ginger or ground cloves
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix until combined.
- Store in a spice jar or airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 year.
Notes
If you’re using this seasoning while following the whole 30 program, omit the sugar and add a pinch more cinnamon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: seasoning
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 34
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 472.6 mg
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.6 g
- Fiber: 1.7 g
- Protein: 1.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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