Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade

Get ready to spice things up with this Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade recipe! This fiery, aromatic blend brings a zesty, tropical kick to your meats + more, perfect for grilling, roasting, or adding a bold touch to any dish. It’s like a taste of the Caribbean in every bite! Completely Gluten-free. Less or More Spicy Options.

Alright y'all, this Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade recipe has been highly requested ever since I released my Homemade Jerk Dry Rub Seasoning. Everyone kept asking if we could turn it into a marinade, so here it is! If you are a jerk lover and love some spicy island flavor, then this will become a staple, I keep a double batch on hand at all times. Haha.

While it's perfect for chicken, beef + pork, it’s also fantastic with salmon, shrimp, tofu + veggies. Great for grilling, baking, pan-searing, or air-frying—whatever you prefer! This blend is seriously the perfect mix of spicy, savory + slightly sweet undertones.
If you love making your own marinades + sauces, check out my Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade next or explore the Sauces, Dressings, & Seasonings section of the site.

For my fellow jerk fans, you've got to check out my Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza, Jerk Lobster Rolls, and Crispy Baked Jerk Potato Wedges. And if you’re up for more, try the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings or the Jerk Vegetable Farro Bowl next. Trust me, these recipes will elevate your jerk obsession!

What Does Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade Taste Like?

• A lively burst of spicy heat!
• Smoky richness that adds depth
• A little tangy
• Sweet, caramel-like undertones from brown sugar
• Fresh, vibrant + herby flavor notes

Ingredients For Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade

I’ve packed this marinade with classic Jamaican flavors, including traditional pimento seeds + fiery Scotch bonnet peppers. Feel free to make it ahead of time to let those flavors meld together for an extra punch!

MARINADE:

• Scotch bonnet peppers. You can use more or less depending on your spice level preference.
• Red onion. You can use yellow or white as well.
• Garlic cloves. Freshly minced for the best flavor!
• Scallions. Aka green onions.
• White vinegar.
• Seasonings. Sea salt, black pepper, ground cinnamon + ground nutmeg.
• Fresh ginger. Minced.
• Browning sauce. You can find this at specialty markets or online at Amazon. The more used, the darker in color the marinade.
• Thyme leaves. I recommend fresh.
• Brown sugar. Adds a nice balance of sweetness.
• Carrot. Peeled + chopped.
• Soy sauce. Offers a savory and umami flavor to balance the flavors. (use Tamari for GF option)
• Pimento seeds. A Jamaican staple ---Brings warm, peppery notes to the mix.
• Filtered water. This helps to thin out the marinade.

Why You Will LOVE This Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade

• Bursting with spicy, savory + slightly sweet island flavors.
• So versatile for grilling, baking, or pan-searing!
• Quick to prepare—just 15 minutes and you're done.
• Easily customizable to suit your taste.
• Make-ahead friendly + perfect for busy days.

How To Make Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade

It’s as simple as tossing everything into a high-powered blender and blending on high speed until smooth and well combined. If the mixture turns out too thick, just add a bit more water until it’s the right consistency—it should gently fall off the spoon when it’s perfect!

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS JERK MARINADE!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade recipe! Everything from my knives, cutting boards, bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How To Use Jerk Seasoning Marinade

Pour the marinade over your fave meats like chicken, pork, beef or shrimp + fish in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Ensure it's well coated. Seal it up and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours. For the best flavor, let it marinate overnight. If you’re short on time, a few hours will still give you great results!

Can this Jamaican Seasoning Be Used For Vegetarian or Vegan Dishes?

For sure! This seasoning is a total game-changer in vegetarian and vegan cooking. It amps up the flavors of tofu, tempeh, jackfruit, and even roasted veggies, giving them that irresistible Caribbean kick. It's like a flavor party that veggie dishes totally enjoy! Whether you're marinading, seasoning, or adding depth to soups and stews, this seasoning's got your plant-based back!

Freezing Option

You can also freeze your marinated meat or veggies for future meals. Just combine your choice of chicken (or other options) with the marinade in a freezer-safe bag, squeeze out the excess air, and pop it in the freezer. When you’re ready to cook, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and prepare it as you normally would. It’s a fantastic way to meal prep and stay ahead of the game!

Is This Marinade Really Spicy Due To The Scotch Bonnet Pepper?

The heat level of this sauce can be adjusted based on personal preference-- Removing the seeds and veins of the scotch bonnets can reduce the spice level while still maintaining the flavor. Feel free to modify the amount to suit your spice tolerance.

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade Q + A's

More Homemade Seasoning + Marinade Recipes

Love making Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade recipe from scratch? Check out these amazing homemade recipes next!

• Homemade Jerk Dry Rub Seasoning
• Best Burger Seasoning
• Homemade Blackened Seasoning
• Taco Seasoning Recipe
• Italian Seasoning
• Homemade Pumpkin Spice Seasoning

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade

August 3, 2024 •

By Shanika

No ratings yet

Get ready to spice things up with this Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Marinade recipe! This fiery, aromatic blend brings a zesty, tropical kick to your meats, perfect for grilling, roasting, or adding a bold touch to any dish. It’s like a taste of the Caribbean in every bite! Completely Gluten-free. Less or More Spicy Options.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Serves: 4 cups

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

MARINADE:

• 3 scotch bonnet peppers (You can use up to 6 for extra spiciness)
• ½ red onion, chopped (You can use yellow or white as well)
• 4 garlic cloves
• handful of scallions, crushed (aka green onions; about 2 bunches total)
• 2 Tbsps white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1-2 Tbsps browning sauce (The more used, the darker in color the marinade)
• 2 Tbsps fresh thyme leaves
• 4 Tbsps organic brown sugar
• 1 carrot, peeled + chopped
• 2 Tbsps soy sauce
• 2 Tbsps pimento seeds
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ cp filtered water

Instructions

BLEND EVERYTHING TOGETHER:

• Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend on high-speed until broken down and smooth in texture. NOTE: Add additional water if extremely thick in consistency. It should slowly fall off spoon when the right texture.
• Use on your favorite meats, jerk dishes, etc.
• Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

STORAGE: You can store leftover marinade in an airtight container or sterile canning jar and refrigerated for up to 1 month. Note that the spicy level from the peppers will become milder overtime, therefore, the sooner it's used the more potent the "heat" is. For longer storage, you can freeze the marinade for up to 6 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1111mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 2989IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg

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