Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Paste

Learn how to make this delicious homemade jerk paste which hails from the beautiful island of Jamaica. It's so quick, easy and full of aromatic herbs and spices with a vinegar free option.

Finally something that's jerk related, you guys wanted it and so I did it. There has been a slight delay in submitting this recipe simply because I wanted to re-test the ratio/quantity so that it's perfect for my readers.

Back in the day I used to buy (and still do if I run out) jerk marinate/paste from my local Caribbean supermarket.

My favourite brands are Walkerwood and Grace, both are credible commercial brands. However, I felt like stepping things up a notch by making my own from scratch.

Everyone makes their jerk paste/marinade differently so please keep that in mind before criticizing MY method. 

This is the way I do it so please read the entire post first or move along if my method isn't for you.

That jerk flavour

In case you are new to the whole concept of jerk, please click on my Jerk Seasoning recipe where I wrote a lengthy piece on the definition and origins of "jerk". 

Many people throw around the term "jerk" and think it's just a seasoning. When in actuality jerk is a culinary technique which goes back to the Maroon people and Tainos.

With this jerk paste you are ONLY getting a fraction of the jerk experience because it has other components i.e you need the pimento leaves, wood and a jerk pan or zinc sheet to lock in the smokiness.

Without all of those components, you can only get part of the experience. Honestly, the best jerk experience you will ever get in your life is in the home of jerk which is Jamaica.

In my humble opinion Scotchies, do the best jerk meat but that's just my opinion but I digress.

A homemade version of jerk

Although the level of authenticity maybe lacking that doesn't mean you can't create something that is close. 

Some people use their oven, air fryer and others will use their barbeque grill or smoker with regular wood chips.

Obtaining pimento leaves/wood outside of the Caribbean isn't easy especially then it's for residential use and you're not a business enterprise.

Fear not because I am going to show you how to make your own jerk seasoning paste from scratch. It's simple and incredibly easy!

Dry rub vs wet rub

Jerk comes in two variations - dry and wet.

The dry rub is made with various dry herbs/spices and the wet rub is made with raw vegetables, along with a few of the same ingredients, as what you would use in the dry version and some liquid to form a smooth paste.

This paste is thick in texture and more like what you would use to marinate for several hours or overnight.

Many people complain that when they use a marinade or paste that their meat is dry.

That's because you will either need to baste the chicken (during or towards the end) or create a follow up jerk barbeque sauce (the recommended approach).

You can easily create a jerk sauce by simply thinning out the paste and making minor changes to taste.

Ways to use this paste

• Works really well in Rasta Pasta
• Vegan and vegetarian dishes i.e tofu
• Meat based dishes
• Use as an overnight marinade
• Dipping sauce
• Add to another recipe .i.e creating a sauce or marinade

The steps

• Add all of the ingredients to a blender (for a smooth thin paste) or food processor (creates a thicker/chunky paste).
• Blitz into a smooth consistency and use accordingly.

Blender vs food processor

The easiest way to prepare your jerk paste/marinade is by either using your food processor or blender. 

However, depending on which one you use, the outcome will differ. I personally find that using my high speed blender (vitamix) creates a very smooth paste with a slightly thinner consistency.

On the other hand, the food processor yields a thicker, more chucky texture especially when you use the pulse button.

The overall texture of your Jamaican jerk paste is up to you, please do what works for you! 

I personally like the blender method and love marinating my meat the most with this texture but if you like the thicker consistency then use your food processor.

How to use the marinade/paste

Once it has been made, this is the fun part. How you will use it, well let me give you an example.

Let's say you want to cook some chicken, simply pour the amount you need over the chicken and leave it to marinate for at least 8 hours but anything from 12-24hours is recommended.

Then you would remove the meat from the marinade and grill or oven bake it. If you can use a Smoker or BBQ (if you have pimento wood/leaves even better!) as this will give the best results.

Follow up with jerk BBQ sauce, this will heighten the results even further, but I haven't managed to make a sauce recipe (yet).

You can also add this paste to any other recipes if you want to and also vegan dishes like marinating tofu would work too.

My latest recipe called Air Fryer Whole Fish, features my homemade jerk paste and you will love it!

Most people use vinegar in their recipe, but I have family members who don't like the taste of vinegar which is why lime it is used instead but you can simply swap it out for vinegar.

Note and tips

• Don't substitute any of the listed ingredients if possible. I know sometimes this cannot be avoided but if you can then please do so.
• Add a splash of water if you want your paste slightly thinner.
• It's normal for the colour of the paste to vary from dark brown to an off brown colour. Add a splash of browning to make your paste/marinade darker.
• The quantity makes a full mason jar worth of paste.
• Keep the paste refrigerated, in terms of its shelf life. I usually use it within 2 weeks of making it.
• This is a freezer friendly paste, feel free to freeze the paste instead (can do this in small ice cubes) and use within 3 months.
• Use gloves if you are handling the scotch bonnet and remember the heat is in the membrane.
• Fresh is best, again, we always aim to adhere to authenticity so use fresh ingredients where possible. For example, fresh ginger not powdered, pimento berries not the powdered allspice, fresh scallion and so fourth. 
• The amount of scotch bonnet peppers used is UP TO YOU. The more you use the spicier the paste. I personally only use one scotch bonnet because I like to enjoy the other flavours of the paste.

More condiments/sauces/spices to try

• Mango Pineapple Hot Sauce
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
• Homemade Browning Sauce
• Caribbean Curry Sauce
• Jamaican Curry Powder
• All Purpose Seasoning
• Egg Free Mayonnaise
• Annatto Oil

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