Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Rub is a classic spicy dry rub made from a blend of brown sugar and 14 different herbs and spices, mixed together to create the ONLY seasoning blend you will ever need!

I love making my own seasoning blends because I can be 100% sure they are gluten free, like my Fajita Seasoning Mix, Dry Pork Rub, and Ranch Seasoning blends!

jamaican jerk seasoning rub

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Rub

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Rub is spicy, savory, and sweet all at the same time, made with 14 different herbs and spices, plus brown sugar to balance it all out. You can tone down the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper if you want less heat, or add more if you want more of a kick! This is also perfect to make in a big batch and store in the pantry to use any time. It works for chicken, pork, seafood, or steak, and with a few extra ingredients can be turned into a fantastic marinade!

jerk seasoning rub

What is jerk seasoning made of?

Jerk seasoning is made of a blend of traditional spices, like nutmeg, cinnamon, thyme, garlic, and cayenne pepper. You’ll find each recipe varies slightly depending on the chef’s personal taste. A lot of Caribbean jerk seasoning recipes have a long list of spices, which is why making it in a large batch is the best, so you have some left over for later.

That being said, this is just my adaptation of it, and not meant to be an authentic version.

How long does jerk seasoning last?

Sealed in an airtight container, jerk seasoning can last 2-3 years. Be careful not to let any moisture into the jar, or the spices may clump together. Always make sure the lid is tightly sealed when you are storing it.

Is jerk seasoning gluten free?

Jerk seasoning is gluten free, but be careful of store-bought spice blends. You never know what fillers a company is using, so it’s always best practice to contact the company and make sure their blend is entirely gluten free. This homemade jerk seasoning recipe is gluten free.

How do you make Jamaican jerk seasoning rub?

You measure all of the seasonings into a bowl, then whisk them together. Store in an airtight container until you’re ready to use. It’s as easy as that! You can use more or less of any of these seasonings to suite your taste.

jerk seasoning recipe
How do you make Jerk Seasoning Marinade?

You can use this spice blend to make Jerk Seasoning Marinade, and trust me, you won’t regret it! I marinate chicken, shrimp, or steak in this for at LEAST an hour, preferably more, in the refrigerator before grilling. If you want to make a Jerk Seasoning Paste, use slightly less olive oil and soy sauce. Then add olive oil until your desired paste consistency.

Whisk everything together, then pour over meat in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to cook.
3 tbsp Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp soy sauce (gluten free version)

Tips for Making Homemade Jerk Seasoning Rub

  • Jerk seasoning rub is usually a spicy seasoning blend. But you can use more or less of the hot spices to suite your taste. Use more or less of the black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes to adjust the heat.
  • Make the jerk seasoning marinade, and freeze it into cubes in an ice cube tray. You can throw them into stir fry recipes!
  • I bought a big pack of mason jars, and I pull them out for recipes just like this one. Just measure everything into the jar, then shake to mix it up. Easy, and it only takes like 5 minutes to make!
jerk seasoning recipe

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Rub

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Rub is a classic spicy dry rub made from a blend of brown sugar and 14 different herbs and spices, mixed together to create the ONLY seasoning blend you will ever need!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Seasoning
Cuisine: Jamaican
Author: Jacqui
Yield: 29 servings (1 tsp per)

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp ground allspice
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp dried marjoram

Instructions
 

  • Whisk all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 7kcalCarbohydrates: 2g (1%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 163mg (7%)Potassium: 19mg (1%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 169IU (3%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 7mg (1%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
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