5 Best Jamaican Jerk Seasonings To Buy
If you like just a little bit of a kick and a complex blend of Island flavors, Jamaican jerk seasoning is sure to knock your socks off.
This particular seasoning is typically used when preparing chicken or pork and the flavor is rich and a tad bit spicy. There is nothing else like Jamaican jerk seasoning out there.
Of course, if you want to make Jamaican jerk, you can use your own set of seasonings and create a blend of your preference, or you can purchase a pre-mixed Jamaican jerk seasoning and use it as a rub.
What is the best Jamaican jerk seasoning to buy? We suggest a Jamaican jerk seasoning that has a broad range of authentic spices. You’ll want a complex and flavorful blend that won’t require extra ingredients to liven it up. Of course, you’ll also want it to meet your own preferences for ingredients and quality.
In this guide, we will share with you the 5 best Jamaican jerk seasonings to buy. We made every effort to sift through the options for the very best out there.
We recognize that everyone has different preferences that could make a huge difference, so we’ve found options to suit several different palates. Keep reading to learn about the best Jamaican jerk seasonings and more.
How to Choose a Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
The reason we purchase Jamaican jerk seasoning is because it’s extremely challenging to get the ingredients to successfully make jerk chicken or jerk pork without the traditional ingredients.
Traditional Jamaican seasonings are pretty different from what we can find in North America, so it stands to reason that it would be hard to re-create those flavors.
We wanted to provide a few things to look for as you check out your seasoning options.
1. Flavor
Jamaican jerk is truly all about the flavor. If the seasoning doesn’t get the bold and unique flavor just right, it will be disappointing.
The trick is that the flavor needs to have a kick. It should be spicy but not so spicy that it overwhelms all of the other flavors mixed in.
It’s really challenging to describe the flavor. The rich spices are complimentary of one another and are known for having a hearty spice as well.
They do not all have to be super spicy, which is where you can try different variations based on the spice level you prefer.
2. Authenticity
You want a seasoning that truly mimics traditional Jamaican jerk seasoning as closely as possible. Any company can throw together a bunch of spices and call it Jamaican jerk, but does it really taste like it should?
Jerk seasoning should have some combination of hot and sweet peppers, depending on how hot you want it to be. It also will have hearty seasonings like thyme, allspice, onions, black pepper, salt, and more.
Again, these could vary depending on the blend. In some cases, you might find additions like sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or cayenne.
Ultimately, you want to be sure that the spices presented mingle well together and nothing will clash. Remember, you’re looking for bold flavor.
The 5 Best Jamaican Jerk Seasonings Reviewed
We sorted through a myriad of options to try to find the truly best options out there. We wanted to provide you with a variety of unique ideas and flavors so that you can choose what is suitable for your own needs.
| Rank | Product | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Coleman J's Spicy Jamaican Jerk Seasoning | Spicy, slightly sweet, all natural, organic |
| 2. | Reggae Spice Jamaican Jerk Seasoning | Imported Jamaican spices, sweet and spicy |
| 3. | Island Spice Jerk Seasoning | Robust and mildly spicy, MSG-free |
| 4. | Walkerswood Jamaican Jerk seasoning | Hot and mild options, bright and flavorful |
| 5. | McCormick Caribbean Jerk Seasoning | Simple and flavorful, less spice |
Below, you will find our top picks for the 5 best Jamaican jerk seasonings to buy.
1. Coleman J’s Spicy Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
This first option from Coleman J is our top overall choice for jerk seasoning.
It’s a well-made blend that uses spice but also tacks on just a small amount of sweetness to provide you with a well-balanced flavor that is perfect for that Island taste we love.
It’s a highly-rated choice and they seemed to really get the flavors right on this one.
It can be used on a variety of foods, from chicken, pork, and beef to things like seafood, hummus, and even tofu or grilled vegetables.
Enjoy heat, flavor, and touch of sweetness with things like cayenne, allspice, cloves, thyme, and more.
The ingredients used in this blend are all certified organic. The spice itself is also certified organic. It is non-GMO, Kosher, and gluten-free.
Nothing artificial and no preservatives. The quality is 100% guaranteed by the company and we don’t think you will be disappointed.
Pros:
- Unique blend of spicy with a touch of cinnamon
- All-natural and organic ingredients
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Great for use on various meats or veggies
Cons:
- Some users feel as though the salt stands out more than it should
2. Reggae Spice Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
Reggae Spice has quite a few different variations of island spices and the Jamaican jerk spice. It’s a wet rub and it’s really easy to use.
This particular option is referred to by the brand as “sweet and sassy,” and we love that it brings the heat with a touch of sweet to give you an all-around classic flavor.
This seasoning is completely authentic. They make the blends in the USA, but they import all of the spices to create a truly Jamaican blend.
They seek to provide you with a distinct flavor that really stands out while also giving you top-quality ingredients.
You can use this Jamaican jerk spice in a lot of different ways. It’s suitable for various meats or vegetables as well as seafood, soy, tofu, and more.
It’s very easy to use and it doesn’t have to sit or soak in a marinade. Additionally, it’s a healthy spice with natural ingredients you can depend on.
Pros:
- Wet rub that is easy to use
- Versatile for a variety of meats and dishes
- Made in the USA
- Spices imported directly from Jamaica
- Sweet and sassy gives you a kick of heat with a touch of sweet
Cons:
- It is fairly thin and may take some getting used to
- The sweet notes are not very noticeable considering the name
- Some may find it has a bit of a salty or vinegary flavor
3. Island Spice Jerk Seasoning
This seasoning comes in a 32oz container so you have a whole lot of seasoning to last you a while, and trust us, you’ll want it!
You can use it as just a seasoning, turn it into a rub, or even create your own marinade. It will spice up your food and delight your tastebuds.
This was designed for dishes like Jamaican jerk, but it can really be used on just about any type of dish that you want to add some island flavor to.
It’s an MSG-free spice blend that really stands out and is pretty versatile as well.
This jerk spice contains flavors of pimento, salt, sugar, onion, garlic, paprika, ginger, celery, mustard, and crushed pepper. The result is a bold flavor with some spice. It’s not overly spicy but does have a kick.
Pros:
- Robust flavor with a little less spice
- Large 32oz bottle
- Great for just about any island dish
- Can be used as seasoning, rub, or marinade
Cons:
- Salt is the first ingredient and the heaviest
4. Walkerswood Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
This option is unique because you get two different Jamaican jerk seasonings as a pair.
You get a mild plus a hot and spicy so you can use whichever you’re in the mood for or even mix them together if you want to.
These are very flavorful and made with traditional ingredients that make a statement.
They are simple but flavorful and they are made specifically for Jamaican jerk. These come as a paste, so you will simply rub them on the meat and let them rest for your food to soak in the flavor.
Pros:
- Two flavors in one pack
- Simple yet flavorful
- Authentic flavors specifically designed for Jamaican jerk
Cons:
- May have to marinade overnight for the best flavor
5. McCormick Caribbean Jerk Seasoning
Let’s wrap up these top choices with a fan favorite brand, McCormick. This brand knows how to make reliable spices and their Jamaican jerk seasoning certainly fits the bill.
It’s a vibrant blend of spices that really stand out. They use red and black pepper, thyme, allspice, salt, and more.
This seasoning is simple and effective. You may need to add some additional seasoning to it, especially if you’re looking for that spicy kick, as this is not very spicy at all.
Pros:
- Reliable spice brand
- Comes in a large container
- Simple but flavorful with less spice
Cons:
- A less authentic option
- Almost no spiciness in the blend
- Some differences between this one and the small 3.25oz bottle of the same seasoning
How to Make Jerk Chicken in the Oven
If you’ve chosen your spice from this list and are all set to go but aren’t quite sure what cooking method to use, we suggest watching this tutorial for making authentic jerk chicken in your oven by Deddy’s Kitchen on YouTube.
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