Jerk Spice for Chicken and More

If you want to experience the best jerk chicken in the world, your best option would be to hop on a plane and take a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

After all, Jamaica is the home of jerk chicken, or more precisely the jerk seasoning which was introduced by the Jamaican Maroons. The Maroons were former African slaves who escaped their masters. Using their African meat cooking techniques, combined with local ingredients and seasonings used by the Arawak Indians, the jerk flavour was born.

There is no shortage of Jerk Chicken in Jamaica.

There’s no shortage to be found in Jamaica of this unique spicy treat.

As an added bonus, while you're in Montego Bay, you can take a stroll down the famous Hip Strip to enjoy the sights, sounds and friendly greetings from Jamaica store owners as they try to encourage you to have a look at their crafts. And did I mention the smells? No doubt you will detect wafts of a fragrance of a certain agricultural product which has only been legal here in Canada for the past few years. 

Jamaica is world renowned for its high grade Marijuana.

Stop in at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville for a cocktail and go for a swim in the healing waters at Doctor’s Cave Beach. 

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and Doctor's Cave Beach are just two
of the many popular spots to visit on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay.

But be certain you don’t miss stopping in at  “Sona Duty Free” where one TripAdvisor reviewer was quoted as saying “they treat you like royalty”. It’s pretty much a one stop shop where you can pick up Jamaican rum and coffee, perfume, cologne, t-shirts and a large selection of souvenirs.

Hassle free shopping at the Sona Duty Free Shop is a welcome relief from
the often overly aggressive sales pitches of the Jamaican street vendors.

You won't want to overlook the jewelry counter although, you can’t really miss it, filled with a fine selection of rings, earrings, bracelets and more. While there, be sure to say hello to my good friend Rajesh Gurnani. Tell him jim & Shirley say “Hi”.

In addition to Jerk Chicken, Jamaica is also the home of "The King of Reggae"

You should also take some time to see some of the nearby attractions such as taking a ride on a bamboo raft down the Martha Brae River, a visit to “Nine Mile” the birthplace and final resting place of Reggae legend Bob Marley or a trip to “Rose Hall” the “colonial ruin that was restored to its former majesty in the 1960s”.

Enjoy a leisurely ride on a bamboo raft down the
Martha Brae River near Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Here, you’ll discover the fascinating tale of Annee Palmer, the cruel and sadistic slave owner who took slaves as lovers into her bed and then discarded them afterwards through a hidden, underground passageway leading to the ocean. If you’re lucky you might even get to see the ghost of this “White Witch of Rose Hall” as it is said she still roams the great house and the grounds of her former plantation.

Many believe the ghost of the evil and sadistic Annie Palmer, also known as
"The White Witch of Rose Hall" still roams the Great House and its grounds.

Although the trip is certainly worth every penny of its cost, it might be a bit expensive every time you get a craving for Jerk Chicken.

Your next best option would be to buy a jar of Walkerswood or Grace authentic Jerk Chicken Seasoning at your local grocery store. You’ll want to marinate your chicken overnight with this wet mix of what looks and feels like a jar of mud complete with small (but flavourful) sticks in it.

You don't have to fly to Jamaica to get great Jerk Chicken.
Your next best option can be found in your local grocery store.

Or... Make It At Home

So if this recipe is only third best, why would you want to bother with it? Well it’s cheaper than flying to Jamaica, easier than messing around with a mud pie and very versatile. You can use it not just for chicken and other meats, but also in a variety of recipes such as my Buffalo Jerk Wings, soups, stews, casseroles or even to spice up your popcorn for the ball game.

Make it up in a quantity that best suits your needs, based on the ratio of ingredients shown here.  

Stuff Required:

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• 

  Stuff Required for Jerk Spice. 

  2 to 3 tsp cayenne pepper

• 2 tsp onion powder

• 2 tsp dried thyme

• 2 tsp dried parsley

• 2 tsp sugar

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp ground allspice

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp dried crushed red pepper

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Do This:

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well.

2. Store in an airtight container.

   
   

   

   Dry Jerk Seasoning.

   
   

Tip: Shake well each time before use as some of the ingredients may settle towards the bottom.