Add bold flavor and a spicy kick to chicken, meat, tofu, and veggies with this homemade jerk seasoning. It’s a versatile Caribbean blend of allspice, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, cayenne, and brown sugar. It’s easy to mix together, and it keeps in your pantry for up to a year!
This homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning is all about bold, layered flavor. It’s warm, spicy, a little sweet, and deeply aromatic, with classic notes of allspice, thyme, garlic, and heat from chili peppers. I love how just a spoonful can completely transform a dish, adding that unmistakable jerk flavor without overpowering whatever you’re cooking. Best of all, it takes about 10 minutes to mix together using pantry spices you likely already have.
I use this jerk seasoning on everything from chicken and pork chops to fish, shrimp, tofu, and roasted vegetables. It works beautifully as a dry rub before grilling or roasting, or sprinkled into marinades and sauces for extra depth. Once mixed, I store it in a sealed glass jar in a cool, dark pantry, where it keeps its flavor for up to a year. Having it on hand means quick, flavor-packed meals anytime I want a little heat and Caribbean-inspired flair.
For more DIY, check out my other homemade spice blends .
Why you’ll love this jerk seasoning
- It’s simple to make.
- It’s ready in under 10 minutes .
- It adds heaps of delicious flavor to dishes.
- It’s versatile – use it on meat, fish, seafood, tofu, or vegetables.
- It will keep for up to a year in your pantry!
What to serve with jerk chicken
Jerk meats like chicken, pork, fish, and prawns pair perfectly with simple sides and sweet flavors to offset the spice. Serve jerk chicken or other meats with a side of our favorite coconut rice and some sweet summer peach salsa .
Once you have jerk chicken seasoning on hand, you’ll find lots of ways to use it. Use it as a marinade as I do in my jerk chicken marinade recipe , and then turn that into jerk chicken tacos . You can also:
- Use it to add a spicy kick to grilled corn on the cob .
- Dust it over hard boiled eggs to add a punch of flavor.
- Sprinkle it over hummus.
- Dust it over avocado toast.
Jerk Seasoning Recipe
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Ingredients
- ▢ 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ▢ 1 tablespoon cayenne powder (see notes)
- ▢ 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ▢ 2 teaspoons black pepper
- ▢ 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ▢ 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- ▢ 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground all-spice
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl. 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne powder, 2 teaspoons sea salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons dried parsley, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon ground all-spice, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Mix well then transfer the jerk seasoning to a clean glass jar.
- This seasoning blend will keep well for 1 year in a cool, dark pantry.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Favorite seasoning blends
Elote Seasoning
Cajun Seasoning
Fajita Seasoning (made with pantry staple spices)
Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Jerk Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne powder , see notes
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground all-spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl. 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne powder, 2 teaspoons sea salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons dried parsley, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon ground all-spice, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Mix well then transfer the jerk seasoning to a clean glass jar.
- This seasoning blend will keep well for 1 year in a cool, dark pantry.
