Strictly Caribbean green seasoning – a unique blend of herbs and spices that is blended together and used in many cuisines soup and stews.
I bet you’re wondering if there was a mistake with the title of this post, oh but it does resemble pesto doesn’t it? Well I have news for you my friend, this herbaceous seasoning is known as Caribbean green seasoning. This seasoning is so simple to make with most of the item being pantry staples.
What is Caribbean green seasoning?
The equivalent of Italy’s pesto, green seasoning is a poignant element in Caribbean cooking. The Eastern Caribbean islands such as Trinidad (home of green seasoning), Barbados tend to use this as a marinade in meat or fish dishes to enhance the flavour.
In the Spanish speaking Caribbean islands, they call it Sofrito, which is essentially the same thing.
How to make green seasoning?
In respect to make this green seasoning recipe, each cook has their own version of the quantity of herbs that are used, so the taste will differ ever so slightly. The ingredients range from; cilantro, culantro, parsley, celery, pimento, bell peppers, onion, scallion, garlic, thyme, spanish thyme and scotch bonnet for a kick.
I like to add a red peppers to green seasoning which creates a dark green/brown hue instead. In spite of any personal adaptations, it is important to note that there is a undeniable trend of how deliciously green and nutritious the end result is.
One of the key ingredients is culantro (Chandon beni and Spanish thyme) sadly living in the diaspora doesn’t offer me the luxury of obtaining these 2 staples.
Now the secret is out there, everyone will know the quintessential foundation to exotic tasting Caribbean food. Your meat dishes will permeate thoroughly with the aromatic flavour of Caribbean green seasoning and you will thank me for sharing this wondering taste of paradise with you.
I usually chop up all of the ingredients and rinse them thoroughly in a colander to eliminate any dirt
The next step is to pulse in either a blender or food processor – I used my blender which created more of a puree texture.
If you want a course texture then I recommend using a food processor instead. You might need to add some 1tbsp or two of olive oil to help liquidise the seasoning.
Depending on the frequency of use, store in freezer (ice cube tray) to preserve shelf life. If you intend to use it often, store in refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Notes
- Use green seasoning in marinades or stews
- Use 1 whole red bell pepper rather than half if you cannot find pimento peppers
- Freeze any additional seasoning to extend the shelf life
Strictly caribbean green seasoning
Raw, vegan, dairy free, gluten free and paleo friendly
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Category: Caribbean dishes
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of cilantro
- 1/2 bunch of parsley
- 4 scallions (chives), chopped
- 1 head of garlic, peeled
- 1 bunch of thyme (about 8 sprigs)
- 1 stalk of celery
- 2 pimento peppers
- pinch of himalayan pink salt
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper
Instructions
- Transfer all of the ingredients into a colander and rinse thoroughly
- Place all of the ingredients into either a blender or food processor (if using food processor blitz on high speed until the bulk of the herbs have broken down into a course texture, remembering to pulse and scrape the sides.
- If using a blender blitz until a puree is formed, feel free to add a tbsp or two of olive oil to help things move along quickly.
- store in container in a cool place
Notes
Store in freezer using an ice cube tray
Lasts up to 2 months in refrigerator
Colour of seasoning may vary depending on ingredients used and intensity of flavour may cause darkening – this is perfectly normal.
Wow, this is so creative! I’ve never had anything like this before, but love every ingredient (and pestos in general), so I’m pretty sure it’s a winner recipe 😉
★★★★★
Thanks Evi, it’s pretty much a staple in Caribbean households. I’m sure you’d like since you’re already a fan of pestos :).
Is cilantro, culantro and shado beni the same thing? I like in the UK and cannot seem to find any of these items.
cilantro is another term for coriander. Shado beni/culantro = same thing. Yes sadly this is VERY difficult to obtain in the UK. Coriander is probably the nearest replica to shado beni although not as pungent as the real thing.
This would be so fantastic with fish. Can not WAIT to try it. And now I’m obsessed with culantro. Off to google it some more! Thanks for bringing this to Saucy Saturdays, Charlene.
Thank you!
Hi Charlene,
I want to make this recipe, but I don’t know what pimento peppers are. The only pimentos that I know of are the ones that are stuffed into green olives that are made from red peppers. Can I just use more red peppers?
Hi Neeli. yes you can.
What Trinbagonians call pimento the rest of the world calls Trinidad seasoning peppers. It’s different from the pimento berry.
Thanks for commenting
Is this a condiments or a marinade or for both uses?
Hi Mark. The green seasoning is a marinade.
Hi! First off, this looks and sounds divine! It has all of the flavors my taste buds crave! Second, I can’t wait to make this but I wanted to clarify for my own purposes, when you say “head of garlic” do you mean the whole bulb or individual cloves from the bulb? Thanks!
★★★★★
Hi Renee, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. You will need individual cloves from the bulb so in total you’ll need about 10-12 garlic cloves or how ever many a whole head contains. I hope that makes sense!!
I was wondering what to do if I can’t find any green onion?
You can use chives instead, those are probably the most undetectable substitution for green onions.
Hi Charla, when you say a bunch of cilantro do you mean the whole big bunch you buy in one or should I divide it and use half of the bunch ??
Hi Rosa. Half a bunch of cilantro will do for the recipe 😉
Made this today and let me say, it smelled great the moment I started blending the ingredients together. It was so aromatic, I’m sure it would be great on pan-seared fish or shrimp. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Yes. It’s very complimentary for stews or to marinate a fish dish enjoy!!
Omg this is great conversation. Love the way you all distinguish the food names.. Very Educational
Thank you. I try my best to do my research prior to posting.
I MUST say that we do add vinegar and oil to the mix ingredients. It gives a real smooth texture to the Seasoning especially when blending..
Thanks for the tip Sally, appreciated!!
Smells awesome! Thanks!
How much do you use for each dish?
I am making Caribbean Curry Chicken and the recipe calls for 1 tsp Caribbean green seasoning. Is that all I need? Can I use more?
Hi Shelly, you add it depending on what the recipe calls for. A few teaspoon or tablespoon is more than though to add the right flavour to the recipe.
When you say marinade do you cover with mixture and sit. My meat ( chuck roast) needs to be browned first , can I sear meat with green seasoning?
Marinade is when wet ingredients in this case green seasoning is applied to the meat. Once it sits on the meat it is then marinating (wet ingredients sitting on the meat). I personally would brown the meat first of all since the texture/consistency of the green seasoning may inhibit the actual browning of your meat. Once it is seared then use your green seasoning accordingly. I hope that helps!