Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning: Capture Authentic Island Flavors for Your Grill

Stir together your own blend of spicy Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, and you’ll infuse chicken, pork, or even fish with vibrant island flair and irresistible flavors, perfect for any summer barbecue or year-round culinary adventure. (Skip to the easy recipe below!)

My blog has been delightfully quiet these past few weeks, and for good reason: I was immersed in the blissful warmth of a tropical holiday. I had the immense pleasure of celebrating my amazing mom’s 80th birthday in sunny Jamaica, surrounded by fourteen wonderful relatives!

My mom is truly a trooper. Despite grappling with arthritis, she never lets it dim her spirit or stop her from embracing life with unparalleled gusto. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and I can only hope to possess a fraction of her zest for life when I reach her age.

Jamaica itself is a truly stunning island, a vibrant tapestry of natural beauty and rich culture. Everywhere you look, there are amazing sights to behold and exciting experiences to be had.

Staying at a resort in such a breathtaking location is a wonderful holiday in itself, but when you combine that with a crowd of fun-loving relatives, every single day transforms into an exhilarating party. Laughter echoed through the days, and joy permeated every moment.

During our stay, we indulged in delicious meals, sipped refreshing drinks, soaked up the glorious sun, danced at lively parties, swam in the azure waters, browsed local shops, engaged in endless conversations, shared countless laughs, embarked on fascinating tours, recounted hilarious tall tales, took leisurely strolls, and yes, we certainly made sure to savor every exquisite bite of the incredible food. Seriously, did I mention we ate?

It felt like as soon as we had finished filling ourselves at the magnificent breakfast buffet, our next order of business was to strategize when and where we’d reconvene for lunch. It was a challenging life, I tell you, but someone had to live it!

My palate was introduced to so many new and exciting tropical foods that I had never experienced before. Each meal was an adventure, delivering a fresh and delightful taste sensation.

Without a doubt, the buffet situated right down by the beach served the most phenomenal jerk chicken. It was perfectly charred and crisp from the grill, its smoky aroma drawing you in. To elevate the experience, there was an assortment of delightful sauces with varying heat levels, ready to be drizzled on top. Mmmmm. It was truly lip-smackin’ good! That unforgettable flavor inspired me to create a superb recipe for you to mix up your very own homemade jerk seasoning, allowing you to bring a little taste of that authentic Jamaican spice into your own kitchen. Just keep scrolling down past these beautiful pictures to find it.

One memorable day, we ventured high into the majestic Blue Mountains to discover firsthand how Jamaica’s world-famous coffee is cultivated. The lush, misty slopes provided a stunning backdrop to this educational journey.

On our journey through the bustling city of Kingston, we made an essential stop at Devon House I Scream. This delightful little shop is not just any ice cream parlor; it proudly ranks among the top ten best ice cream places in the entire world. The flavors were exotic and truly unforgettable!

Another day, a portion of our group decided to rent a van and embark on an exciting tour around a different part of the island. Driving on the left side of the road proved to be a novel and adventurous experience for both Raymond and my brother-in-law, who skillfully took turns at the wheel, navigating the charming Jamaican roads.

We certainly encountered a few… shall we say… “driving adventures” along the way! Our route led us through many narrow, winding mountain roads, where we discovered charming little villages dotted amidst the dense, lush jungle landscape. Each turn revealed a new, breathtaking vista.

Our journey also brought us to the pristine, seven-mile-long Negril Beach, where we eagerly stopped for a refreshing dip in the fantastically warm and wonderfully clear waters. The soft white sand and gentle waves were utterly captivating.

On yet another enchanting day, my sister and I stole away for a special cooking class at a beautiful plantation house. This historic property, spanning 900 acres, was formerly a thriving allspice (pimento) and lime plantation. We were incredibly lucky to be the only two students in the class, making it feel like a private, personalized lesson. Our experience began with a fascinating tour of the plantation, riding comfortably in a jitney (a charming trailer) pulled by a tractor, learning about the rich agricultural history of the land.

There are simply so many sights to see and wonders to absorb on this stunning little tropical island, rich with both fascinating history and vibrant culture. Every corner holds a story, every view a masterpiece.

Back at the resort buffet, we indulged in the pure, refreshing taste of fresh coconut water. We watched in awe as the expert handler deftly whacked the top off a young coconut, skillfully poked a small hole into it with a sharp knife, and then either poured the clear liquid into a glass or simply inserted a straw so you could sip it directly from the coconut itself. It was the quintessential taste of the tropics!

Are you feeling those undeniable island vibes now? Does the thought of exotic flavors make your taste buds tingle? If you’re ready to bring home a taste of that incredible island spice, you’re in the right place!

Jerk, at its heart, is more than just a seasoning blend; it’s a distinctive and celebrated way of cooking – a fiery and aromatic barbecue style that epitomizes Jamaican culinary tradition. Traditionally, highly seasoned meat, most often pork but now widely including chicken and fish, is cooked slowly over a charcoal fire fueled by pimento (allspice) wood. This low-and-slow method, combined with the fragrant smoke, allows the spices to blacken slightly and penetrate deep into the meat, resulting in a dish that is falling-off-the-bone tender, wonderfully moist, and bursting with flavor. The exact seasoning mix is a closely guarded secret, varying from cook to cook and family to family, but two ingredients are non-negotiable: allspice and a potent form of hot pepper. For paste mixtures, the formidable Scotch Bonnet pepper is the preferred choice, delivering its signature fruity heat. For dry seasoning blends, like the one I’m sharing with you today, dried hot chili peppers are used to achieve that characteristic kick. My recipe is a carefully crafted dry mix, thoughtfully combining the best elements from two authentic Jamaican cookbooks and insights gained from three different jerk spice mixtures we brought home from Jamaica. Simply rub this exquisite seasoning into your meat of choice – be it pork, chicken, or fish – and let it rest for a while if time permits, allowing the flavors to meld. Then, fire up your grill and cook it low and slow to achieve that magnificent smoky flavor, perfectly interwoven with the complex blend of spices. It’s truly the taste of Jamaica. Yaa man!

Elevate your summer barbecues and infuse your meals with exotic zest using your own special, homemade jerk seasoning mix. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and will transport your taste buds straight to the Caribbean!

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Kitchen Frau Notes: If you prefer, you can easily substitute cayenne pepper for the crushed dried red chili peppers in this recipe, adjusting the quantity to your preferred level of heat.

Ready to put your homemade jerk seasoning to delicious use? Click here for a recipe that shows you how to make truly authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken, a perfect pairing for your spice blend.

Easy Homemade Jerk Seasoning Mix

Creating your own authentic Jamaican Jerk Seasoning at home is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. This dry rub is versatile, vibrant, and perfect for adding that signature spicy, aromatic kick to grilled or roasted meats and fish. Freshly ground spices ensure the most potent and delicious flavor.

• 1 tablespoon crushed dried red chili pepper (adjust to your heat preference, or use cayenne)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (adds a subtle sweetness and helps with caramelization)
• 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• 2 teaspoons ground allspice (the quintessential flavor of jerk)
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

Thoroughly stir together all the listed spices in a small bowl until they are evenly combined. For best results and to preserve freshness, store your homemade jerk seasoning mix in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry.

How to use: Use this flavorful blend generously as a dry rub for pork, chicken, or fish before barbecuing, grilling, or roasting. For maximum flavor, rub it into the meat and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or even several hours in the refrigerator, before cooking. It can also be incorporated into other recipes that specifically call for jerk seasoning to instantly add an authentic Jamaican twist.

Yield: This recipe makes approximately 6 tablespoons of aromatic jerk seasoning, enough for several meals.

Guten Appetit!

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