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Home » Chili Pepper Recipes » Seasonings » Jamaican Jerk Seasoning - Taste of the Caribbean

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning - Taste of the Caribbean

by Mike Hultquist · Apr 15, 2019 · 209 Comments

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Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe

Make your own Jamaican jerk seasoning spice blend at home with this easy recipe, filled with loads of piquant and aromatic spices.

Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasonings mixed together in a bowl

Don't you love a good jerk seasoning? Jerk cooking originated in Jamaica and you'll get all those wonderful Caribbean flavors when you cook with these spices. It is traditionally used with chicken, but it works great over shrimp and other seafood. I'm not very picky in how I use it.

When I want jerk spice, I want some spice! With these flavors, it can work with any protein of your preference. Tofu, anyone? Why not? It also works on vegetables, like grilled corn on the cob. Vegetables love a good spice rub.

There are quite a lot of seasonings that go into this jerk seasoning - fifteen, to be specific, with my personal blend. You can easily buy some from the grocery store or your favorite online spice shop, but I like to make mine at home.

It is so much better when you make it at home, as you can control everything that goes into it.

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Ingredients

Why Homemade Jerk Seasoning is Better

First, I can emphasize certain ingredients over others. Want less clove? No problem. A bit more allspice? Go for it!

Secondly, I can easily slip in a few (or more!) dashes of a superhot blend that I've recently dehydrated. Consider this! A Jamaican Jerk Seasoning blend with a half teaspoon of Moruga or Reaper powder? Oh yeah, some extra heat for me. So happy! Consider the addition of the Scotch Bonnet or habanero, something more local to Jamaica.

But whatever works for you!

Let's talk about how we make it, shall we?

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Ingredients in a bowl

What Ingredients Go Into Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?

Here is a list of the ingredients you will need:

  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or use 1 teaspoon ground thyme)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (or use brown sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Making the Blend

Once you've gathered up your ingredients, add all of them to a small mixing bowl.

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Ingredients mixing in a bowl

Mix it all together evenly. Make sure it is nicely uniform.

BOOM! DONE! You now have your own homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning blend. Have at it!

Store in an airtight container. Use as needed.

Make it Your Own

As mentioned above, I like to sometimes slip in some spicier chili powders into the mix. Ghost pepper powder is probably  a favorite. Not a lot, mind you. Just a pinch or so to bring up the heat for me. If you can get scotch bonnet powder, that would be awesome.

I like to dehydrate my own scotch bonnet peppers, then grind them into a powder for this recipe.

You can easily adjust the ratios to make it your own personal blend, though. Bump the garlic, double the cayenne, cut back on the onion, dial back on the sugar or use brown sugar instead.

Whatever you prefer!

It's your blend now. This is my favorite jerk seasoning recipe. One of the best spice blends out there.

Why is it Called "Jerk"?

Jerk is the term used for the style of original Jamaican cooking, which is poking holes into meat so it can be permeated with more flavor. This is called "jerking".

"Jerk" became associated with the particular spice rub used to spice up those meats, and the name stands today. Jerk can refer to jerk spice blends, jerk marinade, and the cooking technique in general.

What is a Good Substitute for Jerk Seasoning?

There really is no good direct substitute for jerk seasoning. If you are unable to find a Jamaican or Caribbean jerk blend at your local grocery store, your best bet is to make it yourself using this recipe.

However, if you are unable to find certain specific ingredients, try to get as close as possible with what you are able to obtain.

Or, try taking a Cajun Seasoning or Creole Seasoning blend and add the following ingredients: Brown Sugar, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice. That might get you fairly close.

Try it Out on These Recipes

  • Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe
  • Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings
  • Jerk Salmon
  • Jamaican Jerk Marinade
  • Rasta Pasta with Shrimp
  • Jerk Rubbed Grilled Corn on the Cob
  • Jamaican Rice and Peas

Check Out Some of My Other Homemade Seasoning Blends

  • Steak Seasoning Mix
  • Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend
  • Homemade Fajita Seasoning
  • Homemade Taco Seasoning
  • Homemade Rib Rub
  • Homemade Sazon Seasoning
  • Jamaican Curry Powder
  • Homemade Seasonings/Powders Recipes
Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasonings mixed together in a bowl

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasonings mixed together in a bowl
Print

Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Make your own Jamaican jerk seasoning blend at home with this easy recipe, filled with loads of piquant and aromatic spices.
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: jamaican, seasoning, spices
Prep Time: 1 minute minute
Cook Time: 1 minute minute
Total Time: 2 minutes minutes
Calories: 22kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 6
Tap or hover to scale
4.99 from 79 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or use 1 teaspoon ground thyme)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground clove
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients to a small mixing bowl.
  • Mix it all together evenly.
  • Store in an airtight container. Use as needed.

Notes

Makes about a half a cup.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 22kcal   Carbohydrates: 5g   Sodium: 778mg   Potassium: 57mg   Fiber: 1g   Sugar: 1g   Vitamin A: 455IU   Vitamin C: 1mg   Calcium: 16mg   Iron: 0.7mg
Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasonings mixed together in a bowl
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

This recipe was updated on 4/15/19 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 10/4/15.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Cedrick Williams says

    May 06, 2025 at 11:19 am

    5 stars
    Outstanding mix!

    Does the ingredient ratios change if I want to use this as a wet brine/marinade?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      May 06, 2025 at 11:36 am

      Thanks, Cedric! No need to change the ratio for a marinade, though I do have a separate Jerk Marinade Recipe here: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/jerk-marinade/

      Reply
      • Cedrick Williams says

        May 06, 2025 at 12:29 pm

        5 stars
        Good Deal. Waiting on the subscription signup to the YouTube channel. I'll join immediately. LOL LOL

        Reply
        • Mike Hultquist says

          May 06, 2025 at 1:34 pm

          Haha, yeah! Catch me on Youtube here! https://www.youtube.com/chilipeppermadness

          Reply
  2. Kaaren says

    April 22, 2025 at 11:10 am

    5 stars
    I was craving jerk chicken and didn’t have my usual wet jerk paste. I whipped up this rub quickly and the chicken was absolutely delicious! Thank you for this shelf stable goodness.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      April 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm

      Yes!! Glad you enjoyed it, Kaaren! Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Janet Hall says

    April 06, 2025 at 5:25 am

    5 stars
    I think I nused too much. I used the whole receipe. Was that too much?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      April 06, 2025 at 7:07 am

      Janet, yes, you really only need 1-2 tablespoons to season a dish for 4, roughly.

      Reply
  4. MnM says

    March 30, 2025 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, that was reasonably close to mom’s recipe.
    Thumbs up!!!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      March 30, 2025 at 3:00 pm

      Wonderful! Thanks!!

      Reply
  5. Linsey says

    March 25, 2025 at 6:56 pm

    5 stars
    This sezoning got me feeling kinda irie. 5 stars!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      March 26, 2025 at 5:53 am

      Yes!! I agree! Thanks, Linsey.

      Reply
  6. Joe says

    February 22, 2025 at 10:59 am

    My daughter in law is from Jamaica, and she loves this recipe. What more praise can you give!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      February 22, 2025 at 12:57 pm

      Wow! That is high praise indeed! Thanks, Joe!

      Reply
  7. Robin Keller says

    February 17, 2025 at 5:27 pm

    I really like the mixture. It was really good. My chicken came out really well tasted really good.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      February 17, 2025 at 5:40 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it, Robin! Thanks!

      Reply
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