Why is it called “jerk”?

Jerk comes from “charqui”, which is a Spanish term for jerked or dried meat. In jerk cooking, “jerk” refers to the Jamaican cooking method, dried spice blend, and wet jerk marinade.

Is jerk seasoning spicy?

Traditionally, yes. Scotch Bonnet peppers are often found in Jamaican jerk recipes. With a Scoville unit of 100,000 to 350,000 SHU , this pepper can really bring the heat in jerk seasoning blends! When you make it at home, however, the spice blend can be made with as much or as little heat as you like. Add in more spice with extra cayenne or dried chili flakes or tone it way down to highlight the smokiness instead.

What can I use instead of Jamaican jerk seasoning?

The closest replacement would be another smoky, slightly spicy blend, like Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning.

How long does it last?

Homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning will last for up to 2 years when it’s kept in a sealed jar in a cupboard or pantry.

Homemade Jerk Seasoning Mix

Name: Homemade Jerk Seasoning Mix
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Jamaican
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon granulated onion; 1 tablespoon granulated garlic; 1 tablespoon dried parsley; 1 and 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1/2 - 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (1/2 mild, 1 moderate, 2 spicy); 2 teaspoons chili powder (can use regular or smoked paprika); 2 teaspoons dried thyme (not ground); 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon allspice; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/8 teaspoon cloves

Description

Bring the rich smoky flavors of your favorite vegan Jamaican jerk recipes to your own kitchen with this Homemade Jerk Seasoning Mix. It’s easy to put together, versatile, and way better than storebought!

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon granulated onion
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 and 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 - 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (1/2 mild, 1 moderate, 2 spicy)
2 teaspoons chili powder (can use regular or smoked paprika)
2 teaspoons dried thyme (not ground)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon cloves

Makes 1/2 cup

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Instructions

Combine spices: Pour all of the jerk spices into a bowl. Whisk to combine.
Add to a jar: Use a funnel to transfer the jerk seasoning into an empty spice jar. Use with your favorite Jamaican-inspired recipes. Store for up to 2 years in a sealed jar.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Category: Sauces & dressings
Method: mix in bowl
Cuisine: Jamaican