I resisted Jamaican jerk seasoning for years. It seemed strange to add cinnamon to a delicious dish. We were then introduced to Cincinnati-style chili (along with chocolate!), which uses cinnamon in delicious dishes. I realized that cinnamon can work really well with savory flavors.
I figured that if I could learn to like cinnamon in chili, I could also learn to like cinnamon in chicken and other dishes. So, I tried making Jamaican jerk chicken seasoning at home. The first attempt was not successful. It turns out that cinnamon needs to be balanced very carefully. Too much of it overwhelms everything else.
I’ve since perfected the recipe and absolutely love the combination of sweet, spicy, and cinnamon in this spice blend. These tastes can be acquired, so don’t give up if they seem strange at first. A great Caribbean Jerk Seasoning balances warmth, sweetness, and earthiness in bold yet versatile ways.
What is Jerk Seasoning?
A bold Jamaican spice blend traditionally used to season meat, especially chicken and pork, before grilling or smoking it. Authentic blends can be made into a dry powder or paste depending on how you want to use them. This homemade version of jerk seasoning uses pantry spices so it’s easy to store and customize to your tastes.
What is jerk seasoning made from?
Recipes vary, but classic jerk seasoning ingredients often include spicy ingredients such as allspice, thyme, garlic, onion, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cayenne pepper, or Scotch bonnet pepper.
Jerk seasoning’s three main ingredients are allspice, thyme, and red pepper as the core flavors, topped with layers of secondary spices. So what gives jerk its taste? The signature flavor combines warm, aromatic spices (especially allspice and cinnamon) with heat, herbs and a hint of sweetness. What makes jerk seasoning so unique (and addictive!) is its mix of spiciness, savory, and a hint of sweetness.
How to Make Jerk Seasoning at Home
If you’re wondering how to make jerk seasoning, the good news is that you can make it simply by mixing in dried seasoning powder. Spices can also be mixed into a paste with oil, vinegar, and/or honey. This Jamaican Jerk Seasoning recipe can be customized for heat level and sweetness based on your family’s preferences.
This seasoning is commonly added to chicken, but is also great on grilled vegetables, other meats, and even grilled seafood. I like to mix this seasoning with equal parts honey and coconut oil to make a marinade or rub. You will use it on a variety of meats and vegetables, especially when grilling. The combination of sweet, spicy and earthy notes adds a caramelized and smoky flavor for an exceptional taste.
Jerk Seasoning Recipe
This homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning recipe with onion powder, cinnamon, allspice, and other herbs adds depth and flavor to a variety of dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Jerk Seasoning Recipe
Amount per serving
calorie 3
% Daily Value*
sodium 39mg2%
carbohydrate 0.6g0%
0.2 g fiber1%
0.2g sugar0%
protein 0.1g0%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Mix equal parts honey and coconut oil into the seasoning and apply it to meat or other foods.
another variation
I’ve played with this recipe over the years and the above is an updated version. If you’re looking for the original with a stronger onion and cinnamon flavor, try this.
What’s the closest thing to jerk seasoning?
Looking for a jerk seasoning replacement? If you don’t have all the spices on hand, a good starting point is a mixture of allspice, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne powder. Although not identical to the authentic blend, it captures the general flavor profile.
If this doesn’t appeal to you, check out other homemade herb and spice blends that can replace expensive store-bought spice blends. Making your own allows you to control ingredients, skip fillers, and control flavor. Plus, once you start experimenting with spice blends like these, it’s hard to go back to pre-made mixtures.
Have you ever tried Jamaican Jerk Seasoning? What is your favorite way to use it? Let us know by leaving a comment!
