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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Soups, Sauces & Dressings

    Updated: Mar 17, 2024 · Published: Jul 8, 2020 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    How to Make Jerk Sauce

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Jerk sauce in food process and on spoon with text overlay that says 'how to make jerk sauce'.

    I'm going to show you how to make jerk sauce from scratch. It's spicy. It's sweet. It's savory. It's the best jerk sauce to add amazing, Caribbean flavors to your meals.

    Jerk sauce in a jar with chili peppers, thyme and garlic on the side.

    When you're having a BBQ and cooking up some chicken or grilling some pork skewers, this easy homemade jerk sauce recipe is a guaranteed hit. This iconic Jamaican recipe works perfect as a marinade or a dipping sauce.

    Jump to:
    • Jerk Sauce Ingredients
    • Step 1. Add Ingredients to Processor
    • Step 2: Process
    • Step 3: Transfer to Jar & Serve
    • Storage Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Jerk Sauce FAQs
    • ❤️More Sauce Recipes You Will Love
    • 📋Recipe

    Jerk Sauce Ingredients

    Jerk sauce ingredients prepped and labeled.
    • scotch bonnet peppers - Scotch bonnets have an amazing fruity, spicy flavor. You can swap the scotch bonnet peppers with peppers that are more mild, like jalapeños, to tone down the heat. If you can't find scotch bonnets, you can substitute with habaneros 1:1 as they have similar heat and flavor.
    • mangoes - Not all jerk recipes use mangoes but they add bright, tropical flavor and I always add them to mine.
    • ground allspice - Allspice is also known as Jamaica pepper or pimento and is an important spice used in Jamaican cuisine.
    • peppercorns - You can use black peppercorns or tricolor peppercorns (a mix of black, pink and white).
    • honey - Use liquid honey for blending into the sauce. You can substitute with agave nectar.
    • brown sugar - I use dark brown sugar.

    *Check recipe card for full ingredient amounts.

    Pro Tip: When chopping the scotch bonnets, you can use gloves to avoid the burning sensation that comes from handling hot peppers.

    Step 1. Add Ingredients to Processor

    Jerk sauce ingredients in food processor.

    Add all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender.

    Step 2: Process

    Jerk sauce prepared in food processor.

    Process the ingredients together until smooth. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste, if needed. If you like more heat, just add more scotch bonnet peppers.

    👩🏻‍🍳Chef's Note: It’s okay to leave it a bit chunky if you like! That is my preference but you do you.

    Step 3: Transfer to Jar & Serve

    Jerk sauce on spoon on white plate.

    Transfer to a glass jar and serve immediately or refrigerate.

    Storage Tips

    • You can store your homemade sauce in a covered container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. 
    • You can also freeze it for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.
    • You can use a plastic airtight container, but glass is best because it preserves the flavor better and doesn't transfer odors.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Dip it: Use it as a dipping sauce for vegetables, chicken fingers, chicken wings etc.
    • Marinate: Use it as a sauce or marinade over pork, chicken, seafood or vegetables and rice. I like to make jerk pulled pork or chicken in the slow cooker and make tacos.
    • Alcoholic drinks: For anyone looking for a yummy drink to go with your jerk beef or chicken, I recommend a sweet white wine like a sweet Riesling or my spring white wine sangria.
    • Non-alcoholic options: If you're looking for something alcohol-free, definitely go with this virgin Moscow mule or mojito mocktail. It's a great refreshment for a hot summer evening spent eating some deliciously spicy BBQ.

    Jerk Sauce FAQs

    What is jerk sauce?

    Jerk sauce is a spicy, Caribbean sauce native to Jamaica. It is made with scotch bonnet peppers and other seasonings, including allspice. It is typically served with chicken and pork.

    What does Jamaican jerk sauce taste like?

    Jamaican jerk sauce has quite a bit of heat as well as tastes slightly sweet, salty and smoky. It is full of flavor!

    Why is jerk sauce called jerk sauce?

    The name jerk sauce comes from the style of cooking that was first used by the Indigenous people of the Caribbean, which involved seasoning and slow cooking pork over pimento wood. The word 'jerk' is said to come from a Spanish term for dried meat: 'charqui'. It is pronounced similar to the word jerky.

    Looking to further enhance your cooking skills? Check out How to Roast Garlic: 3 Ways

    Jark sauce in jar and on spoon with peppers, thyme and garlic on side.

    ❤️More Sauce Recipes You Will Love

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    Are you a 🌶 jerk fanatic now? If you tried this recipe tutorial for How to Make Jerk Sauce or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Jerk sauce in food processor.

    How to Make Jerk Sauce

    Joss Dyckson
    Here I have an easy recipe tutorial for how to make jerk sauce from scratch. This iconic Jamaican jerk recipe works perfect as a marinade or a dipping sauce. It's spicy, sweet and savory!
    4.80 from 5 votes
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Sauce
    Cuisine Jamaican
    Servings 6
    Calories 80 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup fresh mango - peeled and chopped (optional)
    • ½ white onion - chopped
    • ½ cup green onions - chopped
    • 8 garlic cloves - peeled
    • 2 scotch bonnet peppers - seeded and chopped
    • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
    • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons honey - or agave nectar
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh ginger - chopped
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
    • 1 teaspoon peppercorns - crushed
    • salt - to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Process all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. It’s okay to leave it a bit chunky if you like. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
    • Store in a glass container and refrigerate.
    • Serve as a dipping sauce, marinade, etc.

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Notes

    • You can swap the scotch bonnet peppers with peppers that are more mild, like jalapeños, to tone down the heat. But if you like more heat, just add more scotch bonnets.
    • If you can't find scotch bonnets, you can substitute with habaneros as they have similar heat and flavor.
    • When chopping the scotch bonnets, you can use gloves to avoid the burning sensation that comes from handling hot peppers.
    • You can store your homemade jerk sauce in a covered container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. You can use a plastic airtight container, but glass is best because they don't transfer odors and they preserve the flavor better.
    • You can also freeze it for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 281mgPotassium: 183mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 646IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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      4.80 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Roger says

      July 19, 2021 at 10:18 pm

      Scotch bonnets are too hot for me. I would prefer de-seeded jalapeños. Scotch bonnets are, of course, traditional. I'll be using the Jerk as a marinade for beef short ribs.

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        July 19, 2021 at 10:41 pm

        That sounds delicious Roger, and it's a good way to tone down the spice. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Joss!

    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

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