Jamaican Jerk Sauce

Content… What Is It? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead and Storage How to Use It More Flavorful Homemade Sauces to Try Watch How to Make It

What Is Jerk Sauce?

Jamaica is the home of intense flavors, and this jerk cooking sauce or marinade is no exception. So kick your grilling experience up a few notches. You’ll be craving it, especially if you love spicy food. But it’s more than just a spicy sauce because it also holds the heart of Jamaican cuisine.

What’s in it? Although every family has its own recipe, essential ingredients, such as Scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, allspice, and garlic, are ever-present. And, of course, you can easily customize it to suit your tastes. Usually, sugar and vinegar mellow the spiciness, but I opted for pineapple juice to give it a tropical twist. 

Recipe Ingredients

1. Aromatics – The combination of garlic, onion, ginger, and green onion adds sensational flavor and fragrance.
2. Flavor – Scotch bonnet for heat, soy sauce for umami, bouillon powder, allspice for the classic Jamaican spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg all deliver an exquisite sauce.
3. Pineapple Juice adds a sweet and tangy fruity twist and just enough liquid to make it a sauce instead of a paste.

How to Make Jamaican Jerk Sauce

• Combine thyme, green onions, onions, garlic, ginger, and habanero or Scotch bonnet pepper in a food processor or blender. Then add the soy sauce, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, bouillon powder, and pineapple juice. Pulse for about 30 seconds or until blended. (Photos 1-3)
• Cook – Heat the oil in a skillet or saucepan. As soon as the oil is hot, add the pureed ingredients. As soon as it starts to bubble, reduce heat and simmer for 7-8 minutes. (Photo 4)
• Serve with chicken and beef or use it for a sandwich spread.

Recipe Variations

1. Citrusy Swap – Replace the pineapple juice with freshly squeezed orange, lemon, or lime juice. However, you may want to add a tad more sugar if you use lemon or lime, so it’s not too sour. 
2. Vinegar – A splash of apple cider vinegar (pineapple vinegar sounds amazing) adds a nice zing and a natural preservative so the sauce lasts longer in the fridge.
3. Honey – Replace the sugar with honey for purely natural sweetness.

Tips and Tricks

1. You can use pepper flakes if habanero or Scotch bonnet peppers are unavailable or are too spicy for your taste. Or you can swap them with your preferred hot peppers.
2. Please wear gloves when handling hot peppers, and avoid touching your face (especially your eyes) to prevent burns.
3. Mix the dry spices together before adding the wet ingredients so they come together easier.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Homemade jerk sauce will last a week in the fridge. Add a tablespoon or two of vinegar if you want it to last a month. It freezes well for 3-6 months.

Tip: You can freeze jerk sauce in an ice cube tray, then transfer the frozen sauce cubes to a resealable freezer-safe bag to save space and easy thawing.

How to Use Jerk Sauce

You’re going to love marinating your chicken wings or ribs in this sauce. The Caribbean vibes give you a delicious flavor swap for grilled dishes. 

You can also dip your favorite snacks, like sweet potato fries and baked crispy potato wedges. Pulled pork sandwich and shrimp po’boy. both love the kick they get by adding a spoonful of this sauce to the mayo.👌

More Flavorful Homemade Sauces to Try

1. Peruvian Green Sauce
2. Peri-Peri Sauce
3. BBQ Sauce
4. Cocktail Sauce
5. Chimichurri Sauce

Watch How to Make It

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This blog post was first published in April 2022 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video