Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning: The best versatile spice blend 😋

Name: Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Jamaican
Ingredients: 2 tsp Ground allspice; 1 tbsp Brown sugar; 1 tsp Garlic powder; 1 tsp Onion powder; 2 tsp Dried thyme; 2 tsp Paprika smoked; 1 tsp Cayenne pepper; 1/2 tsp Ground black pepper; 1 tsp Sea Salt; 1 tsp Ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg; 1 tsp Ground cumin

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Think of this Jamaican all purpose seasoning like your go-to classic Caribbean spice blend! It's a special blend of herbs and spices that instantly delivers that punchy aromatic flavour to a variety of dishes.

A clear jar filled with mixed Jamaican seasoning, a small spoon resting inside, and a mortar and pestle in the background, ready for use.

Whether you're grilling chicken pieces, roasting vegetables, or going all in on a rich spiced curry, this versatile seasoning is the perfect way to load up every bite with authentic Jamaican jerk seasoning vibes!

This recipe was inspired by my Jerk Chicken Sandwich on this site. I love the Caribbean flavours and wanted a homemade seasoning that's ready to use straight from the jar for a delicious jerk sandwich anytime.

Jump to:

What is Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning?
Ingredients for Jamaican Seasoning
How to make Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
How to Use Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning
Recipe Ideas Using Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning
Storage Tip
FAQ
More recipes
Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning

What is Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning?

There's lots to love about this island spice mix-a Caribbean cooking staple built around natural ingredients that perfectly balance heat, sweetness, and earthiness. The fiery chilli peppers, fragrant thyme, and warming Jamaican pimento (allspice) make an unbeatable combo.

Whether you're seasoning chicken drumsticks or roasting veggies, this homemade Jamaican all-purpose seasoning fills your kitchen with a lovely aroma and delivers great flavour-it'll quickly become a spice cabinet favourite!

For more spice mixes check out our chicken taco seasoning and pumpkin pie spices.

Ingredients for Jamaican Seasoning

Ground allspice
Brown sugar (or Cane sugar)
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Dried thyme
Smoked paprika
Black ground pepper (or white pepper)
Ground sea salt
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Ground cumin
Cayenne pepper (or Crushed scotch bonnet chillies if you have access to it (adjust for heat level)

See recipe card for quantities.

Overhead view of a white plate holding individual mounds of spices—like ground allspice, cayenne, and thyme—ready to be blended into a Jamaican all-purpose seasoning.

How to make Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

A mortar and pestle set containing unblended Jamaican spice ingredients, ready to be pounded into a rich, aromatic seasoning.

Step 1:

Thoroughly pound all the ingredients in mortar pestle. Or grind in spice grinder.
Taste the seasoning mix and adjust for spice or salt preference.

Step 2:

Transfer the seasoning to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
Give the seasoning a good stir before each use.

Hint: Crushed or powdered Scotch bonnet chillies are your ticket to that fruity, fiery Jamaican heat-perfect for jerk flavours. If you can't find them, cayenne pepper is a good backup, but for an extra punch, mix cayenne with a little sweet red pepper or habanero.

Browse all of our homemade sauces and condiments for more quick and easy recipes.

How to Use Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning

For Chicken, Pork, Fish, or Tofu:
- Coat your chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks generously in the seasoning. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the jerk flavours before grilling, roasting, or frying.
- For a deep pan roast, mix the seasoning with a little vegetable oil and few ml of water to form a marinade.
For Vegetables & Rice Dishes:
- Toss your favourite vegetable dishes with a sprinkle of this seasoning and a touch of olive oil before roasting.
- Add it to rice flour batter for crispy coated veggies.
- Mix it into cooked rice for an easy, flavourful side dish. (Add a dollop of butter for extra richness.)
For Stews & Curries:
- Enhance your curry or chicken by adding a spoonful of this seasoning for depth and warmth for a burst of flavour..
- Deglaze the bottom of the pan with broth after searing meat to capture all the flavours.

Recipe Ideas Using Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning

Jerk Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers

Marinate chicken pieces in the seasoning with a splash of vegetable oil and fresh spring onions.
Grill over high heat until charred and cooked through.
Serve with a sweet red pepper and mango salsa.

Spicy Roasted Potatoes with Tamarind Chutney

Toss potato wedges in seasoning and tablespoon chicken seasoning for extra depth.
Roast until crispy, then serve with a tangy chutney.

Jamaican Spiced Chickpea Salad

Coat chickpeas in seasoning and roast for a crunchy topping.
Toss with greens, fresh green pepper, and a garlic herbs dressing.

Storage Tip

Keep your Jamaican all-purpose seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. This preserves its punchy aromatic flavour for up to 6 months. Give it a good stir before each use!

FAQ

Why are Scotch bonnets such a big deal?

They add that distinctly Jamaican, fiery kick and a fruity, slightly sweet undertone that sets this seasoning apart from other chilli peppers.

Can I swap out cayenne for Scotch bonnet chillies directly?

Absolutely-just use powdered or crushed Scotch bonnet chillies. They'll bring a fruitier, hotter kick, so start with a smaller amount and work your way up. If you only have fresh Scotch bonnets, you'll need to dehydrate and grind them first to keep the spice blend dry.

How spicy will my dish be?

It depends on how much chilli you add! If you prefer milder heat, start with less and adjust upward. If you love the fiery chilli peppers vibe, be generous!