The Best Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe

This Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe is THE BEST Jamaican Jerk Seasoning you can make at home. Seriously. A little heat, a little sweet and fragrant herbs combine for unparalleled flavor.

Use it to make these Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings,  Smoked Turkey Wings or Air Fryer Cornish Hen. We’ve even used it to rim our Mango Michelada and Michelada glasses.

Why is this dry Caribbean jerk seasoning recipe better than store bought Jamaican jerk seasoning? You can adjust it to your personal taste. There are 14 different spices, creating many opportunities to adjust to your liking. I tend to add more powered spice to kick up the heat, but others may want it a bit more sweet or herbaceous.

What Is Jerk Seasoning Made Of?

There are 14 different spices in this bad boy. Don’t worry, the majority are common spices you more than likely have in your spice cabinet: onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, dried parsley, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, allspice, black pepper, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, cumin, nutmeg and cinnamon.

How to Make Jerk Seasoning?

Two steps: measure it all out and stir it all up. Boom. It’s just as easy to make as our other dry rub recipes: Prime Rib Rub, Creole Seasoning, Corned Beef Spices, Chicken Taco Seasoning or BBQ Rub.

What Can I Use Jamaican Jerk Seasoning On?

This Spice Mix is so versatile it can be used on a ton of things. It’s traditionally used in jerk chicken recipes but it also pairs well with any protein. Make a quick jerk chicken marinade by combining a little olive oil and jerk seasoning to taste.

• Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings
• Smoked Turkey Wings
• Smoked Turkey
• Coulotte Steak
• Shrimp Recipes
• Chicken Recipes
• Pork Recipes – like our sous vide pork tenderloin
• Vegetables – like our Air Fryer Baby Potatoes.
• Instant Pot Kidney Beans (throw some BBQ Rub in there!)
• Instant Pot Pinto Beans (throw some rub in here too!)

What Is A Good Substitution for Jerk Seasoning?

This spice blend is so complex and unique it can’t be easily substituted. Plan ahead by making this homemade version or grab a store bought brand.

This homemade spice blend can be stored for up to 2 years in an airtight container.

In need of new spice jars? We grabbed this Glass Spice Jar Set a few months back. Each jar is a little over a buck. 

Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning may seem exotic, but it's comprised of common spices you probably have in your kitchen cabinet. Tweak it to your personal taste - this homemade Jamaican Jerk seasoning is perfect for chicken, pork or beef.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Course: Homemade Spices

Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican

Keyword: Homemade Spices

Servings: 24 tsp

Calories: 6kcal

Author: Darcey Olson

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 tbsp Onion Powder
• ▢ 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
• ▢ 2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• ▢ 2 tsp Paprika
• ▢ 2 tsp Salt
• ▢ 1 tsp All Spice
• ▢ 1 tsp Fresh Cracked Ground Pepper
• ▢ ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• ▢ ½ tsp Cumin
• ▢ ½ tsp Nutmeg
• ▢ ½ tsp Cinnamon
• ▢ 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
• ▢ 1 tsp Dried Thyme
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Dried Parsley

Instructions

 

• Mix together all the spices in a small bowl.
• Transfer to an airtight container.

Notes

1. Omit salt for a salt-free version.
2. Sugar substitute: replace brown sugar with coconut sugar for a keto/low carb friendly option.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tsp | Calories: 6kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!