Jerk seasoning

 

DIY JERK SEASONING RECIPE

• 
  1 tablespoon garlic powder.  Garlic powder is made from dehydrated garlic and lends the signature, garlicky flavor that compliments the heat.  
  
  1 tablespoon onion powder.  Onion powder is dehydrated, ground onion to bring the pungent onion flavor.
  
  1 tablespoon brown sugar.  This balances and compliments the heat and warm spices.
  
  2-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper. Really spicy blends use dried habanero peppers, but we are sticking with more palatable cayenne pepper.  2 teaspoons is medium spicy and 3 teaspoons is probably more of what you think of as spicy Jerk Seasoning.
  
  2 teaspoons black pepper.  This adds a peppery kick without the fiery heat of cayenne pepper.
  
  2 teaspoons salt.  Use regular table salt. Enough salt is crucial to enhance the rest of the seasonings or your spice blend will taste bland no matter how much it’s loaded with spices!
  
  2 teaspoons smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is rich, mild, sweet, and smoky made from smoked pimento peppers dried over oak fires then crushed.  It is not spicy, just flavorful. 
  
  2 teaspoons ground ginger.   Adds a spicy, zingy depth.
  
  2 teaspoons dried parsley.  The bright, herbaceous, clean and slightly bitter taste cuts through the warm earthiness of the spice blend.
  
  2 teaspoons dried thyme.   The minty earthiness with sharp grass, wood, and floral notes cuts through the warm spices.  
  
  1/2 teaspoon ground allspice.  The people of the Caribbean named the berries from pimenta dioica, Jamaica’s allspice tree, allspice because they thought they tasted like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and pepper. Allspice is crucial to the authentic Jerk Seasoning taste because it replicates the pimento wood Jerk seasoned meat is usually cooked on so please don’t skip it!
  
  1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Spicy, sweet, warm and woody that’s pungent and slightly bitter.  You use it commonly in baked goods, now see how it adds that something-something to savory dishes as well!
  
  1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Just a little goes a long way with nutmeg. It’s nutty, warm and slightly sweet, rounding out the warming spices in a big way.

• Gather seasonings.  Measure out the seasonings and add them to a small bowl. This is the step when you can double or triple the recipe – measure once and enjoy many times over!
  
  Mix the seasonings.  Whisk the seasonings together with a fork or wire whisk until thoroughly combined.  That’s it!

This recipe will make about ½ cup which is perfect to fit in an empty spice jar, small sealable bag or any airtight container.  Once your seasoning is secure, label and store it in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture like the pantry.