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Jamaican Green Seasoning Recipe
Required For Authentic Jamaican Dishes
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By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer
Have you ever wondered why your Jamaican dishes don’t come out quite right? You might be missing a key ingredient: Jamaican green seasoning. Luckily, I am about to share that recipe with you.
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Jamaican green seasoning is a traditional blend of fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables. Its distinct flavour is a staple of our cuisine. We use it as a marinade, sauce, and seasoning, offering many of our favourite dishes an aromatic burst of fresh and spicy flavours.
This herb-based blend is typically made from pimento, escallions (green onion), thyme, garlic, ginger, and bell peppers, with the signature heat of Scotch bonnet peppers. The mix is designed to enhance the flavour of meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables. Each ingredient contributes to the overall profile, with some providing a savoury base, others adding heat, and some adding an herbal flavour to the mix.
One of our most well-known uses for green seasoning is to make our famous jerk seasoning. However, it’s just the base, so check out this article for how to make a batch of Jamaican jerk seasoning.
While you can add your own twist to the Jamaican green seasoning, like cilantro, parsley or even bay leaves, some ingredients are essential.
- Scallions: These green onions form the foundation of the seasoning, offering a mild onion flavour. Red scallions are often preferred for a more authentic Jamaican taste.
- Thyme: Fresh thyme leaves add a fragrant aroma and a slight earthiness to the blend. Although some recipes use dried thyme, fresh thyme is ideal for green seasoning.
- Scotch Bonnet Peppers: These fiery peppers are a key component, providing the seasoning's signature spice and heat. The number of peppers used can be adjusted based on personal preference for spiciness.
- Garlic: Garlic cloves bring a robust and savoury flavour to the blend.
- Bell Peppers: These are not a must, but they have become a popular addition to the mix. Green bell peppers add a slightly sweet taste, balancing the heat from the Scotch bonnet peppers.
- Pimento Berries: Also known as allspice, pimento berries contribute to Jamaican cuisine's unique flavour profile. Ground allspice can be used as a substitute if unavailable.
- Lime Juice: This provides a touch of acidity and freshness to the seasoning.
- Oil or Water: These are optional ingredients that can be added to adjust the consistency of the blend.
How to Make Jamaican Green Seasoning
Making Jamaican green seasoning at home is relatively simple. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating your own batch:
Jamaican Green Seasoning Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 54 g (1.9 oz) Scallion
- 6 Sprig fresh thyme
- 1 Green scotch bonnet pepper
- 45 g (1.59 oz) Onion
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 10 g (0.35 oz) Ginger
- 57 g (2.01 oz) Green bell pepper
- 16 Pimento berries
- 1 tsp Lime juice
- 2 tbsp Oil or water (optional)
PROCEDURE
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash the scallions, thyme, Scotch bonnet pepper, and bell pepper. Remove the peppers' stems. Peel the garlic cloves and ginger.
- Chop the Ingredients: Chop the scallions, onions, garlic, thyme leaves, scotch bonnet pepper, and bell pepper into sizes suitable for your blender or food processor.
- Blend or Puree: Combine all the chopped ingredients in a blender or food processor. Add the pimento berries and lime juice. Blend the mixture until smooth.
- Adjust Consistency: Add oil or water to achieve the desired consistency.
How to Use Jamaican Green Seasoning
Jamaican green seasoning has a wide range of culinary applications. You can use it as :
- Marinades: Use it as a marinade for chicken, pork, beef, or fish to add flavour and tenderness. It is particularly effective when left to marinate overnight.
- Seasoning: Add it to soups, stews, and sauces to enhance their flavour profile.
- Sauce: Use it as a finishing sauce for grilled or roasted meats, adding a burst of herbal freshness.
- Vegetables: Spread it on vegetables or potatoes before roasting or grilling for added flavour.
Once you've made your green seasoning, storing it properly is essential to maintain its freshness, and of course you don't want to just throw out all this flavourful goodness if you can avoid it. So here's how to store it:
- Refrigeration: Store the green seasoning in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last for 1 to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: To extend its shelf life, divide the green seasoning into ice cube trays or small containers and freeze them. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Green seasoning can be frozen for approximately 3 to 6 months.
Whether you're using it to marinate meats, season soups, or as a finishing sauce, this versatile blend is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
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References & Sources For Jamaican Green Seasoning Recipe
- Caribbean Green Seasoning (2023) Chef Lola’s Kitchen. Available at: https://cheflolaskitchen.com/green-seasoning/ (Accessed: 30 April 2024).
- Lesa (2024) Jamaican green seasoning recipe, Jamaican Foods and Recipes. Available at: https://jamaicanfoodsandrecipes.com/jamaican-green-seasoning-recipe/ (Accessed: 30 April 2024).
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