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Spicy Jerk Marinade with Herbs and Citrus Recipe

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4.3 from 9 reviews

This vibrant Jerk Marinade is a traditional Jamaican blend of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients, perfect for adding a spicy, smoky, and sweet kick to meats, seafood, and vegetables. Made from fresh herbs like thyme and escallions, fiery Scotch bonnet peppers, warm spices, and a touch of sweetness from honey and brown sugar, this marinade is easy to prepare in minutes using a blender or food processor, and can be stored refrigerated or frozen for convenience.

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 1 to 1 1/2 cups, enough for 2 servings of marinade

Ingredients

Fresh Ingredients

  • 1 medium Onion (chopped in quarters)
  • 5 stalks Escallion (cut in half)
  • 1 bunch Thyme (hard stems removed)
  • 1 head Garlic (12 - 15 cloves)
  • 2 Scotch Bonnet Peppers (adjust to taste)
  • 1 pinch Ginger (about 23g)
  • Juice from 1/2 Lime (optional)
  • Juice from 1/2 Lemon (optional)
  • Juice from 1/2 Orange (optional)

Spices and Seasonings

  • 10 Whole Pimento Seeds (allspice berries)
  • 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg (or freshly grated)
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Allspice
  • 1/8 tsp Ground Cloves

Sauces and Sweeteners

  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp Browning (or Homemade Browning Sauce)
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 2 tbsp Brown Sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare ingredients: Wash and roughly chop the onion, escallion, thyme (removing hard stems), garlic, and Scotch bonnet peppers. Measure out the spices and other seasoning ingredients.
  2. Blend the marinade: Add all ingredients, including the fresh juices if using, to a food processor or blender. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped or pureed to your preferred texture. Take care not to overblend if you want some texture in the marinade.
  3. Store the marinade: Transfer the jerk marinade to an airtight glass jar and refrigerate in the coldest part of your fridge. The flavors will meld over time. For longer storage, pour the marinade into ice cube trays and freeze; once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag for easy portioning.

Notes

  • Adjust the quantity of Scotch bonnet peppers based on your heat preference; they are very spicy.
  • The optional citrus juices add brightness but can be omitted if you prefer a more traditional flavor.
  • Use fresh thyme rather than dried for best flavor.
  • The marinade can be used immediately but is best after marinating meats or vegetables for several hours or overnight.
  • Can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of flavor.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Marinade
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Jamaican

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/spicy-jerk-marinade-with-herbs-and-citrus-recipe/