Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe (2024)

In our house, we love this Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe on everything. The flavors of thyme, allspice, and a little heat make this a perfect jerk seasoning mix.

This Homemade Jerk Seasoning is such a delicious addition to chicken, pork, fish, or beef – and we love it best onInstant Pot Jerk Chicken, grilled chicken, or Redfish with Pineapple Salsa.

This seasoning has such a bold flavor that it can stand alone as a Jamaican Jerk Marinade or a savory spice rub with some olive oil and lime juice on so many different kinds of meat – you can make so many easy dinners with it!

It is also Sugar-Free, Paleo, Whole30, and free of any additives. This jerk spice is such a versatile spice blend, and we always keep a jar in the pantry.

🥘 Ingredients in this Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe

Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is made with everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your spice rack. It’s such an easy recipe to make:

• Ground Allspice
• Chili Powder – This recipe uses US chili powder, which is a blend of spices made for seasoning chili and is not overwhelmingly spicy. Outside of the US, chili powder is often made from purely ground chili peppers and is HOT. So, make sure to use the right one! (If you want to make this recipe spicier, you can add a little cayenne pepper.)
• Ground Cinnamon
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• Dried Thyme
• Black Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• Kosher Salt
• Nutmeg
• Onion Powder
• Smoked Paprika

Traditionally, jerk marinades have a little bit of sugar in them, so you can add brown sugar to your seasoning if desired. We try to avoid adding sugar to seasoning blends unless absolutely necessary, and I’ve found that this recipe doesn’t need sugar – though I do add it when cooking pork for a long time.

You can also change out the red pepper flakes for more spicy options – homemade dried habanero peppers are one of my favorite things to cook with. I call it fire dust because if you breathe it in or get it in your eyes, it feels like fire.

🥣 How to Make Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

To make jerk seasoning, combine all ingredients in a mason jar, small bowl, or airtight container, then shake or mix well to combine. (This recipe makes around 1/4 cup seasoning.)

🫙 How to Store Homemade Jerk Seasoning

Store the seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. This recipe makes about 1/4 cup.

🍗 Ways to Use Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

My favorite things to put jerk seasoning on are chicken breasts, Chicken wings, chicken thighs, pork chops, and french fries. It creates such a flavorful crust on meat and fish – especially topped with pineapple salsa.

Our favorite meal using this seasoning isInstant Pot Jamaican Jerk Chickenwithcrispy sweet potato noodlesfrom Nom Nom Paleo. The chicken is coated in olive oil, then a heaping tablespoon of the homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning blend, then is cooked in an Instant Pot, so it is so flavorful and juicy.

Something about the pop of Jamaican Jerk flavor mixed with the rich and tasty bacon flavor on the sweet potatoes makes this combo a real winner. It’s topped with lime juice and green onions or fresh chives, and is one of our favorite meals!

We love using this jerk seasoning recipe to add flavor to all kinds of healthy recipes.

🧂 More Spice Blends to Add to Your Pantry

• Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Italian Seasoning
• Taco Seasoning
• Homemade Chicken Bouillon
• Cinnamon Sugar
• Cajun Seasoning
• Creole Seasoning

❓ What is a Good Substitute for Jerk Seasoning?

There really is no good direct substitute for jerk seasoning. If you can’t find a Jamaican or Caribbean jerk spice mix at your local grocery store, just make it yourself using this recipe!

❓ Why is it Called “Jerk”?

Jerk is the name for a type of Jamaican cooking where holes are poked into meat so that more seasoning can seep into it and add more flavor. This is called “jerking,” and jerk seasoning is often used with the method of cooking.