Description
This vibrant and spicy Jerk Marinade combines aromatic herbs, fiery Scotch bonnet peppers, and a blend of warm spices to create a potent and flavorful Caribbean classic. Perfect for marinating meats, poultry, or tofu, this versatile sauce delivers an authentic jerk taste with a balance of heat, sweetness, and smoky undertones.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 1 medium Onion, chopped in quarters
- 5 stalks Escallion, cut in half
- 1 bunch Thyme, hard stems removed
- 1 head Garlic (12 – 15 cloves)
- 2 Scotch Bonnet Peppers (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 pinch Ginger (about 23g)
- Juice from 1/2 Lime (optional)
- Juice from 1/2 Lemon (optional)
- Juice from 1/2 Orange (optional)
Spices & Seasonings
- 10 Whole Pimento Seeds (allspice berries)
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg (or freshly grated)
- 1/4 tsp Ground Allspice
- 1/8 tsp Ground Cloves
Liquids & Sweeteners
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 tbsp Browning (or Homemade Browning Sauce)
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chopped onion, escallion, thyme leaves, garlic cloves, Scotch bonnet peppers, and ginger into a food processor or blender. Add the whole pimento seeds, smoked paprika, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, ground cloves, soy sauce, browning sauce, honey, brown sugar, and optional citrus juices.
- Blend to Desired Texture: Pulse the mixture until it is finely chopped or pureed to your preference. The marinade can be left slightly chunky for texture or blended smooth depending on use and personal taste.
- Store Properly: Transfer the jerk marinade to an airtight glass jar. Store it in the coldest part of your refrigerator to maintain the flavors and freshness. For longer storage, pour the marinade into ice cube trays, freeze thoroughly, then transfer the frozen cubes into a freezer-safe bag for convenient portioning.
Notes
- This marinade can be used immediately or left to develop flavors for up to 24 hours for a deeper taste.
- Adjust the amount of Scotch bonnet peppers according to your preferred spice level; start with fewer if sensitive to heat.
- Use as a marinade for chicken, pork, fish, or tofu before grilling or baking.
- The marinade freezes well and can be thawed as needed for easy meal prep.
- Browning sauce adds color and depth but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauces & Marinades
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Keywords: Jerk marinade, Caribbean marinade, spicy marinade, jerk seasoning, homemade jerk sauce
