Homemade Jerk Seasoning

This Homemade Jerk Seasoning recipe is incredibly fast (5 minutes) and easy to whip up, and the best part? It stores beautifully for 3-6 months, so you’ll always have it on hand to add a burst of bold, Caribbean flavor to your meals. I absolutely love using this seasoning—it’s my secret weapon for transforming simple dishes into something extraordinary.

Jerk Seasoning Recipe

I’ve perfected this blend to capture all the authentic flavors I crave—spicy, savory, and a touch of sweetness. Trust me, once you start using this homemade jerk seasoning, you’ll never go back to store-bought! Whether I’m grilling, roasting, or even making a quick stir-fry, I often find myself planning meals around being able to sprinkle a little jerk seasoning magic into the mix.

Try my Lemon Pepper Seasoning, BBQ Seasoning Recipe, and Taco Seasoning Recipe, too!

Why You’ll Love This Jerk Seasoning Recipe

• Bold Flavor – There is nothing subtle about this punchy seasoning blend. Use it to bring vibrance and excitement to all sorts of dishes.
• Caribbean Taste – The unique combination of sweet and spicy, earthy and savory makes it a great alternative to traditional flavors of garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
• Ready in 5 Minutes – The measuring of the spices takes a few minutes, but then all you need to do is mix them together. That’s it!
• Easy to Store – Store your Jerk Seasoning in an airtight jar for 3-6 months, or extend the life of your spice blend in the fridge or freezer for up to 1 year.

What’s in Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?

• Dark Brown Sugar – I love the deep, rich flavor of dark brown sugar, but you can use light brown sugar if that’s what you have on hand. Another option is coconut sugar (opens in a new tab), but you’ll need to double the amount to ensure the blend is balanced.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt
• Thyme – Earthy, woody, and a little bit peppery, thyme (opens in a new tab) is an essential element in the jerk seasoning.
• Allspice – Ground Allspice (opens in a new tab) is very complex in flavor and is used in lots of Caribbean cooking. You will love how the warmth comes through.
• Cayenne Pepper – Spicy and fruity, the cayenne (opens in a new tab) can be adjusted to your preference.
• Cinnamon – The cinnamon brings out the allspice even more and highlights the sweetness of the Jerk flavors.
• Ginger – Punchy and a little spicy, the ground ginger (opens in a new tab) is so good when mixed with all of the other ingredients.
• Smoked Paprika – For a little smokiness in the spices, smoked paprika is strong so we just add a little. If you prefer no smokey flavoring, feel free to substitute with sweet paprika (opens in a new tab).
• Cumin – This helps round everything out. It’s earth, warm, and brings the Jerk flavors together!

How to Make Jerk Seasoning

Making homemade spice blend at home couldn’t be simpler! Here’s how to make Jerk Seasoning:

1. Measure all of the ingredients carefully, and combine them in a small bowl.
2. Whisk them well, and store the mix in an airtight spice jar for 3-6 months.

TIP: I love these glass seasoning jars (opens in a new tab) to store them in my pantry!

How to Use Homemade Jerk Seasoning

• Jerk Chicken Tacos – Use this perfect Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning in this recipe for these tacos. They are SO good. My husband and I love them!
• Roasted Vegetables – Heat the oven to 375 degrees F, add whatever veggies you love to a sheet pan, and toss the vegetables with 1 Tablespoon of avocado oil and 2 Tablespoons of Jerk Seasoning. Bake for 20 minutes or until desired doneness. Try it on brussel sprouts, onions, zucchini, carrots, and sweet potatoes!
• Jerk Chicken Wings – Toss chicken wings in 2-3 Tablespoons of the jerk seasoning and bake at 425 degrees F for about 1 hour, flipping them every 20 minutes. YUM.
• Grilled Meats – Take your grilling to the next level! Rub the jerk seasoning liberally into the protein of your choice and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before grilling. It’s going to blow your mind how good it turns out! I love using it on chicken breasts, boneless center-cut pork chops, and shrimp.
• Paleo Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Meal Prep Bowls – Swap out the seasonings in this recipe for 2 Tablespoons of your homemade seasoning. Easy peasy.
• Jerk Spice Grains – Mix 1 teaspoon of jerk seasoning per cup of grains while cooking. This makes a super flavorful side dish!

Storing Homemade Jerk Seasoning

• Room Temperature – Store in an airtight jar or container for 3-6 months.
• Fridge or Freezer – Extend the life of your seasoning by storing it in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 1 year in an airtight jar, container, or freezer bag.

More Bold Flavor Recipes

• Sweet Chili Chicken Meatball Bowls
• Chili Lime Steak Tacos w/ Mango Salsa
• BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls
• The BEST Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad
• Kung Pao Shrimp Tacos with Jalapeño Sauce

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