Description
Jamaican Jerk Sauce is a vibrant Caribbean-inspired sauce bursting with bold, spicy, sweet, and aromatic flavors. Perfect for marinating chicken, pork, vegetables, or tofu, it elevates any BBQ with its unmistakable kick and depth, transforming simple grilling into a festive and deeply satisfying feast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2–3 Scotch Bonnet Peppers (remove seeds for less heat or substitute with habaneros)
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 4–5 green onions, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the Scotch bonnet peppers, removing seeds if less heat is desired. Chop green onions and fresh thyme. Peel and mince the garlic. Measure all spices including ground allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar so everything is ready for blending.
- Blend the Sauce: Combine all ingredients including lime juice, soy sauce, and olive oil in a food processor or blender. Pulse until you achieve a thick, smooth sauce with some herb and spice bits for texture.
- Marinate Your Protein or Vegetables: Evenly coat chicken, pork, tofu, or vegetables with the jerk sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
- Grill to Perfection: Preheat your grill and cook the marinated items, turning occasionally. The sugars in the sauce will caramelize, creating a flavorful, slightly charred crust while sealing in juices.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs and peppers for the most vibrant and authentic flavor.
- Taste the sauce before marinating to adjust heat levels as desired.
- Marinate overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
- Grill over medium heat to avoid burning sugars while keeping meat juicy.
- Make extra sauce for drizzling or dipping alongside your dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes (grilling time varies)
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Jamaican Jerk Sauce, Caribbean sauce, spicy BBQ sauce, jerk marinade, grilling sauce, gluten free