Name: Easy Jerk Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ½ cup Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice or Pineapple Juice; ¼ cup Coconut Aminos (gluten-free. can sub soy sauce for non-gluten-free option); 3 tbsp Avocado Oil (or neutral tasting oil); ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar; 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce (ensure gluten-free if necessary); 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger (about 2"); 4 Stalks Scallions (end trimmed); 1 Lime (juiced); 8 Cloves Garlic; 2-4 Scotch Bonnet Peppers (can sub w/ habanero peppers, add more or less as desired); ½ Red Onion (roughly chopped); 6 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme; 3 tbsp Jerk Seasoning; 2 tbsp Brown Sugar; 1 tsp Sea Salt (plus more to taste); 1 tsp Black Pepper (plus more to taste); ½ tsp Nutmeg

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This easy Jerk Sauce Recipe is a sweet, spicy, savory mix of mouthwatering Caribbean flavors like allspice, scotch bonnet peppers, and thyme. Whip up homemade Jamaican Jerk Sauce in minutes and use it as a tasty marinade for proteins, veggies, and more!

If you enjoy delicious Jamaican flavors, then you have to try our tender roasted Jerk Lamb Chops and this yummy Salmon Jerk Bowl.

A clear jar of jerk sauce with a sprig of thyme and a wooden spoon full of dry seasoning on either side

This recipe has been a long time coming! Before when I wanted a taste of the island of Jamaica, I’d head to the grocery store and pick up a bottle of Grace Jerk Seasoning. Unfortunately, it is not located in every grocery store and sometimes is hard to find. So, after much trial and error, I finally have the best Jerk Sauce Recipe and it’s made completely from scratch in less than 5 minutes!

This is the best Jerk Sauce Recipe because it’s:

Quick & Easy To Make– Once you have your ingredients, simply blend and you’re done!
Customizable– Make this recipe your own by adjusting the ingredients to your personal taste!
Naturally Gluten-Free– So even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy it!
Versatile– There are SO many tasty ways to use jerk sauce!

A hand holding a spoon over a clear jar of jerk sauce

Is jerk sauce healthy?

Jamaican cuisine features lots of fresh, natural ingredients and jerk sauce is no exception! It’s packed with spices, herbs, and plants that are loaded with nutrients and vitamins. When consumed with a balanced diet, jerk sauce is reasonably healthy.

Overhead of an open jar of jerk sauce with a sprig of thyme and a wooden spoon full of dry seasoning on either side

Jerk Sauce Recipe Ingredients

This homemade jerk marinade is filled with traditional Jamaican flavors.

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice or Pineapple Juice: The acidity in these juices makes them an excellent meat tenderizer. It also adds a citrusy sweetness that balances out the spiciness.
Coconut Aminos: To keep this recipe gluten-free, use coconut amimos. Alternatively, you can use soy sauce as a non-gluten-free option.
Avocado Oil (or neutral tasting oil)
Apple Cider Vinegar: This gives the sauce a lighter taste and balances out the saltiness.
Worcestershire Sauce, ensure gluten-free if necessary
Fresh Ginger (about 2″)
Scallion Stalks, end trimmed
Lime: Fresh lime juice is best.
Garlic Cloves: Don’t skimp on the garlic —add more or less to your liking.
Scotch Bonnet Peppers: Add more or less as desired depending on how hot or mild you want your jerk sauce recipe to be. If you can’t find any, then substitute these fiery peppers with habanero peppers or even serrano or chili peppers. However, they don’t taste quite the same.
Red Onion, roughly chopped
Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
Jerk Seasoning: I use a delicious blend from Studio and Spice Co., a local Black woman-owned brand. The spices are hand-blended and organic! (This is not an affiliate link, but a brand I truly love and support.)
Brown Sugar
Sea Salt, plus more to taste
Black Pepper, plus more to taste
Nutmeg

Overhead view of juice, coconut aminos, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, scallions, limes, garlic cloves, scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, jerk seasoning, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg

If you do not have jerk seasoning to add to the sauce then use a mix of:

1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp ground allspice
2 tsp dried thyme or fresh thyme
1 tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp pepper

What is the difference between jerk sauce and jerk seasoning?

This Jamaican Jerk Sauce Recipe refers to wet jerk sauce, which can be applied to various foods as a marinade. Whereas jerk seasoning is the dry spice mix that can serve as the base of jerk sauce or just be added to foods as a dry rub or seasoning.

container of sauce on a wooden cutting board with a cloth in the background

How to Make Jerk Sauce Recipe from Scratch

Add all the ingredients into a food processor or blender.
Then blend until smooth or until you reach your desired consistency.
Store in an airtight jar for up to one week. Use as a marinade for meats and fish.

overhead view of jerk sauce ingredients added to a blender

overhead view of marinade in the blender

What to Serve with Jerk Sauce

Jerk sauce adds a welcome kick of flavor to meals and can also be used as a marinade and is perfect for slow cooking meats. Here are some ways you can incorporate this spicy sauce into your diet.

Grilled vegetables
Chicken (jerk chicken wings would be especially yummy)
Pork
Seafood (like shrimp, fish, or salmon)
Beef
Tofu
Sandwich spread
Add to quinoa or rice
Added to soups and stews

Tips

Wear gloves when handling the peppers. Also, avoid touching your face.
Don’t want your sauce too spicy? Then, gradually add them and taste test. But keep in mind, that peppers usually mellow in heat during the cooking process.
Freeze leftover jerk sauce in an ice cube tray before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag for easier storage and thawing.
If you want a thinner or thicker sauce, then adjust the measurements of your wet ingredients, adding more or less to reach your desired consistency.

a spoonful of sauce over a jar of more sauce

I hope you enjoy this Easy Jerk Sauce Recipe!

If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Pinterest or Instagram! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.

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