Behind the Seasoning: Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

We've taken you on a Quest for Authentic Jamaican Jerk, with co-founders Mike and Janet Johnston, to explore how our Jamaican Jerk Seasoning was perfected. But now we're covering all the details of this bold seasoning, how to use it, what it actually is, and more.

What is Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is a spice blend known for its heat and flavor. Popular throughout the Caribbean, the spicy mixture goes back over a century and was created by the Maroons in Jamaica, people who escaped slavery and formed their own communities. 

After hunting animals for meat, the Maroons would coat their catch with a spice blend to preserve it. They then cooked it in a deep hole covered with firewood so the smoke wouldn't escape. This method prevented smoke from escaping, which both imparted smoky notes and served the practical purpose of keeping slave owners from knowing the location of the Maroons. While the methods of cooking jerk meat have changed over the years, tips and tricks from the original cooking process are still used today.

Where and How to Buy Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Mix

While you can certainly make a homemade jerk paste or spice, it's easier and cheaper to buy a premade mix. As always, you can order it directly from our website. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is available in our traditional jar or can be purchased in a variety of bag sizes. (Hint: if you're planning to make Jerk Chicken all summer, you might want to invest in a bigger bag.) If you’d rather see (or smell) the spice in person, our spice locator tool can help you find a store near you. 

What spices and seasonings are in Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?

When it comes to jerk, it's all about the spices. Traditional Jamaican Jerk Seasoning includes a mix of onion and garlic, salt and sugar, as well as herbs like thyme and chives. But what really sets it apart from other Caribbean blends and chicken marinades is the Scotch bonnet peppers and Jamaican allspice.

Blends can vary in spiciness, depending on the amount of chile added, so some versions of this mix are hotter than others. Our Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is hot, but in an enjoyable way and not in an overwhelming, "I can’t feel my tongue" kind of way. Plus, it's typically used as part of a marinade so the other ingredients in the finished dish help temper the spiciness. Jerk Chicken is probably the most popular use but you can try it with a variety of proteins and veggies.

What can be substituted for Jamaican Jerk Seasoning?

There’s no need to panic if you find your jar of Jamaican jerk seasoning empty! (To avoid the panic next time, level up and buy the 3-cup bag!) You can easily make a copycat jerk seasoning from spices you probably already have in your pantry. Look for spices that give off some heat, like paprika or cayenne pepper, and mix them with garlic powder, allspice, onion powder, salt, pepper, thyme, nutmeg, and a dash of cinnamon and sugar. The spice blend will not be exact, but it will have the flavors you are looking for. 

Is Jerk Seasoning like Cajun?

While Cajun seasoning and jerk seasoning overlap slightly, the two spice blends have more differences than they do similarities. They both have some Caribbean influence, a chile kick, and are both commonly used on chicken but that's where the similarities end.

Cajun seasoning is closer to chili powder and includes paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and oregano. If you want to put the two to a taste test and find your personal spiced champion, try our Cajun Blackening and make Blackened Chicken and jerk chicken. 

What Does Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Taste Like?

The Jamaican Jerk Seasoning mix leans towards the hotter side but it isn't just spicy. We wanted to keep the fantastic flavor of jerk at a medium-hot spice level so that as many people as possible can enjoy this distinctive Caribbean spice. Our jerk seasoning is crafted for the perfect balance of heat and flavor. The onion, garlic, and salt create a pretty standard base flavor with other ingredients in the blend (like cinnamon and allspice) that add sweetness and aromatics. The herbal notes carry through and finish off the mix with a subtly peppery flavor.

What is jerk cooking?

So, we've been talking a whole lot about jerk chicken, and if you're not sure what that actually means, we have you covered. "Jerk" in this case refers to the way the protein is cooked. The protein (chicken, ribs, pork, seafood...) is heavily coated with a blend of spices and slow-cooked over a grill or coals. It's been modified from the original method of putting it in the ground, but it still honors the traditional cooking technique with tools that are more accessible to most people. The most authentic flavor requires smoking over allspice wood and leaves but if you want to replicate that in your own backyard, just toss a few whole Jamaican Allspice Berries directly onto your grill or smoker while you're cooking.

What is Jamaican Jerk Seasoning used for?

If you’re familiar with jerk spice, chances are you’ve had it on chicken. While chicken is the most popular protein for the blend, Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is also excellent when seasoning pork, shrimp, ribs, and steak. It can also liven up a hearty vegetable and give it a kick. 

When cooking with this spice blend, we suggest making an easy Jamaican Jerk Marinade - you probably already have most of the ingredients! Mix the spice with olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, orange juice, and lime juice and let the protein marinate for 4-12 hours (adjust depending on the size of your pieces: shrimp will need longer than a rack of ribs). The marinade time allows the seasonings to really get into the protein and shows off the flavors in each and every bite. 

Recipes Using Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Not sure what to make with Jamaican Jerk Seasoning besides a marinade? Here's some inspiration to get you drooling in the best way possible. 

• Jerk Skewers with Pineapple Salsa - Cut the heat with some pineapple salsa. It's sweet and hot in the best way possible. 
• Caribbean Grilled Wings - Forget about buffalo and spice up your wing game. This honey and lime marinade gives the wings a tangy flavor. 
• Jamaican Jerk Burgers - This recipe takes everything you love about jerk chicken and turns it into a juicy burger. Top with a slice of avocado to even out the spice level. 
• Slow Cooked Caribbean Spiced Ribs - The hardest part about this recipe is waiting three-plus hours to eat these ribs. One bite, and you'll see that the low-and-slow method is truly worth it. 
• Everyday Everyway Meatloaf - Update a classic comfort food with bold flavors. Glazing with Sweet Jerk Barbecue Sauce adds the perfect balance of sweet and heat to this old-school favorite.

 If you can't get enough of this bold, fantastic flavor, you need to try our Sweet Jerk Barbecue Sauce or our Sweet Jerk Sloppy Joes Spice & Easy Meal Starter Spice Mix. Shop more Caribbean Flavors or tell us your favorite island-inspired spices below.