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Home » Jamaican Curry Powder

Jamaican Curry Powder

by Mike Hultquist · Jan 18, 2021 · 6 Comments

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Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe

This Jamaican curry powder recipe is a taste of the Caribbean with a versatile mix of warming spices and fiery heat that's easy to adjust, perfect for quick and easy meals!

Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe

It's curry time in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen, my friends! Only we're making something different from what you might be used to. Tonight we're making Jamaican Curry Powder, and I think you're going to love it.

Authentic Jamaican curry powder is different from Indian curry powder, using different local ingredients to create a spice blend unlike any other. This recipe is a flavorful blend of lightly toasted seeds, warming seasonings and chili powder that you can use to flavor many different dishes.

It is hugely versatile. Of course you can make yourself an excellent curry, but consider it as a general seasoning for vegetables and grilled meats and anything else you'd care to spice up.

There are different ways to make a Caribbean curry powder, with different ratios and other optional ingredients you can include to make it your own. Below is my preferred recipe. I love to include a fiery Scotch Bonnet powder, made from dehydrated Scotch Bonnet peppers.

I love to grow them then dry and grind them into fresh powder for making all sorts of wonderful recipes. If you can't find Scotch bonnet powder, you can use other chili powders.

I hope you enjoy it!

Let's talk about how we make Jamaican Curry Powder, shall we?

Jamaican Curry Powder ingredients

Jamaican Curry Powder Ingredients

  • Turmeric
  • Coriander Seeds 
  • Yellow Mustard Seeds
  • Fenugreek Seeds
  • Allspice Berries (or use 1 tablespoon ground allspice)
  • Cumin Seeds (or use 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin)
  • Ground Ginger
  • Black Peppercorns (or use 1-1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper)
  • Scotch Bonnet powder (optional, for heat, or use cayenne or other spicy chili powder)
  • OPTIONAL EXTRAS
  • Star Anise Seeds
  • Clove (or use ¼ teaspoon ground)
  • Nutmeg
  • Salt - Listed as optional, as you can always add in salt when making your recipes.

How to Make Jamaican Curry Powder - the Recipe Method

Toast the Seeds/Grains. If you are using seeds/grains, lightly toast the spices in a skillet or dry pan on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring a bit, until they become nicely fragrant. Do not let them burn or you will get a bitter flavor.

Toasting the seeds and dried berries in a pan to make Jamaican Curry Powder

Grind the Ingredients. Grind in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle along with the other ingredients. Mix well.

Ground Jamaican Curry Powder ingredients in a bowl

For Ground Ingredients Only. Simply mix all of the spices together until well incorporated.

Mixing Jamaican Curry Powder ingredients in a bowl

Store the Curry Powder. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for 3 months. Will last longer, but will begin to lose potency.

Boom! Done! Your Jamaican curry powder mix is ready to use. Time to make some quick curries! This is such a great seasoning on hand for whipping together quick and easy meals with big flavor.

Jamaican Curry Powder in a bowl

Recipe Tips & Notes

  • Heat Factor. You'll get some very nice heat from your Jamaican curry powder if you include Scotch Bonnet powder, which rivals habanero peppers in their overall heat. Use cayenne for more manageable heat, or stick with paprika or other mild chili powder for a low to no heat version.
  • Other Ingredients. You can easily include other seasonings to customize your own Jamaican curry powder. Popular additions include cinnamon, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper and others. Feel free to mix it up as desired!

A spoonful of Jamaican Curry Powder

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this Jamaican curry powder recipe. Let me know if you make it and what you create. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!

Cookbook Recommendation

If you'd like to learn more about Jamaican cooking, check out the following books, which I have found to be educational and informative:

  • Authentic Recipes from Jamaica, by John DeMers (affiliate link, my friends!)
  • Jamaican Cookbook - Traditional Jamaican Recipes Made Easy (affiliate link, my friends!) - No photos, but easy to follow with some good recipes.

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

  • Jamaican Curry Chicken
  • Red Curry
  • Coconut Curry Chicken
  • Phaal Curry (the Hottest Curry in the World)
  • Indian Curry Powder
  • Vindaloo Curry Powder
  • Red Curry Paste
  • Yellow Curry Paste
  • See all of my Curry Recipes

Jamaican Curry Powder on a spoon

Other Recipes You Might Enjoy

  • Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
  • Jerk Marinade
  • Jamaican Jerk Chicken
  • Sazon Seasoning
  • Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
  • Jamaican Rice and Peas

Mike scooping Jamaican Curry Powder onto a serving spoon

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. 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.

Mike scooping Jamaican Curry Powder onto a serving spoon
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Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe

This Jamaican curry powder recipe is a taste of the Caribbean with a versatile mix of warming spices and fiery heat that's easy to adjust, perfect for quick and easy meals!
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course, Seasonings
Cuisine: American, Caribbean
Keyword: caribbean, jamaican, scotch bonnet, seasoning, spicy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Calories: 9kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 36 teaspoons
Tap or hover to scale
5 from 3 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons ground turmeric
  • 2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds or use 2-1/2 tablespoons ground
  • 2 tablespoons whole yellow mustard seeds or use 2-1/2 tablespoons ground
  • 1 teaspoon whole fenugreek seeds or use ½ teaspoon ground fenugreek
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries or use 1 tablespoon ground allspice
  • 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds or use 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns or use 1-1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Scotch Bonnet powder optional, for heat, or use cayenne or other spicy chili powder - or add more to taste!

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • 1 tablespoon whole anise seeds or use 1 tablespoon ground anise (optional)
  • 1 dried clove or use ¼ teaspoon ground
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt or to taste

Instructions

  • Toast the Seeds/Grains. If you are using seeds/grains, lightly toast them in a hot dry pan on medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring a bit, until they become nicely fragrant. Do not let them burn or you will get a bitter flavor.
  • Grind in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle along with the other ingredients. Mix well.
  • For Ground Ingredients Only. Simply mix all of the spices together until well incorporated.
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for 3 months. Will last longer, but will begin to lose potency.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 9kcal   Carbohydrates: 1g   Protein: 1g   Fat: 1g   Saturated Fat: 1g   Sodium: 1mg   Potassium: 35mg   Fiber: 1g   Sugar: 1g   Vitamin A: 6IU   Vitamin C: 1mg   Calcium: 10mg   Iron: 1mg
Mike scooping Jamaican Curry Powder onto a serving spoon
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.

Categories: Jamaican Tags: Chili Pepper Madness, chili pepper recipe, scotch bonnet

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Claudette Legault says

    September 08, 2022 at 11:11 pm

    Mike, Claudette Legault again. I apologize. You must be very confused at this point. I was not very clear about my comments in regards to the Jamaican Curry Recipe. It was wonderful. What I meant to say was that the Jamaican Curry Powder conversions from dry to ground threw me. Despite using the quantities that I knew, your recipe was greatly enjoyed. I plan to repeat this recipe just as you intended it to be. I hope this clears any confusion from my part.
    Like one person who commented, next time I will serve it with rice.
    Thanks, Claudette

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    February 16, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    5 stars
    I have a question... I’ve gone to mix this up for the first time, and realised I don’t have the anise seed. Can you suggest a substitute? Is star anise similar?

    Looking forward to making the Jamaican chicken curry this week 🙂

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      February 17, 2021 at 6:42 am

      Pam, star anise is more subtle and mild compared to anise seed, but you can definitely use it. Or even just omit. There are many other parts to the seasoning. Let me know it turns out for you.

      Reply
  3. Jérémie says

    January 18, 2021 at 7:40 am

    5 stars
    Can't wait ^^

    Reply
  4. Jérémie says

    January 18, 2021 at 6:53 am

    5 stars
    Seems awesome Mike!! do you have a particular recipe in mind for this special curry powder?

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 18, 2021 at 7:02 am

      It is, and I do, Jérémie. Recipes forthcoming!

      Reply

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