Jamaican Green Seasoning

A glass mason jar filled with vibrant green Jamaican seasoning, made from fresh herbs, garlic, and Scotch bonnet pepper

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Growing up in Jamaica, I didn't see my grandma blend herbs and spices often, but when she did, it was magic! Mixing fresh herbs and spices gave our meals a delicious flavor boost that I'll never forget.

Blending these ingredients was more than cooking — it was a special tradition filled with love. The kitchen smelled amazing as she blended herbs, garlic, and spices together.

The result? Meat that tasted incredible, with flavors that danced in your mouth. It showed me how important fresh ingredients are in cooking and the joy of sharing meals made with love.

Now, when I cook, I remember those special times with grandma. Blending herbs and spices is my way of keeping our Jamaican cooking traditions alive and making meals that bring joy to my family and friends.

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Table of Contents

• What Is Jamaican Green Seasoning

• Why You Should Make Your Own

• Ingredient Notes

• When to Use It

• Recipe

• Tips for the Best Flavor

• How to Store It

• FAQ

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What Is Jamaican Green Seasoning?

Jamaican green seasoning is the marinade base of Jamaican cooking — a blend of fresh herbs, aromatics, and peppers that gets rubbed or poured over meat, fish, and vegetables before they hit the pot or the grill. It's what gives real Jamaican food its depth: the thyme, scallion, garlic, and Scotch bonnet doing all the work long before the seasoning ever touches heat. Every Jamaican household has their own version — this is mine, the way my grandma taught me.

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Why You Should Make Your Own

1. Freshness — fresh herbs have a brighter, more vibrant flavor than anything dried or store-bought.

2. Customization — adjust the heat, the herb ratio, whatever suits your palate.

3. No preservatives — just herbs, aromatics, and lime juice, no additives.

4. Authenticity — this is how it's actually made in Jamaican kitchens.

5. Control — you pick every ingredient, no mystery fillers.

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Scallions, thyme, parsley, cilantro, garlic, ginger, and Scotch bonnet peppers laid out on a counter before blending

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Ingredient Notes

• Scotch bonnet pepper — the signature heat and fruitiness of Jamaican cooking. Remove the seeds for a milder blend, or leave one seed in if you want a real kick.

• Fresh thyme — non-negotiable. It's the backbone flavor of Jamaican seasoning.

• Scallions (green onions) — adds a sharper, fresher onion note than regular onion alone.

• Garlic + ginger — the aromatic base that carries everything else.

• Cilantro + parsley — freshness and color. If you're not a cilantro person, lean more on parsley.

• Ground allspice (pimento) — this is the ingredient that makes it taste distinctly Jamaican, not just "Caribbean."

• Lime or lemon juice — brightens everything and helps preserve the blend.

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When to Use Green Seasoning

• As a marinade for meat and fish — the longer it sits, the deeper the flavor.

• Stirred into soups, stews, and sauces for a fresh flavor boost.

• As a finishing touch on grilled or roasted dishes.

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How to Store It

Store in the fridge for up to 2–3 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

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Jamaican Green Seasoning

Yield 8-10

Author Kim Alexander

Prep time

10 Min

Total time

10 Min

Green seasoning is a flavorful blend of fresh herbs, aromatics, and spices commonly used in Caribbean and Latin American cuisines to season meats, fish, and vegetables. It typically includes ingredients such as fresh cilantro (coriander), parsley, scallions (green onions), garlic, hot peppers (such as Scotch bonnet or habanero), onions, thyme, and sometimes other herbs like oregano. These ingredients are blended together into a smooth paste or sauce, creating a vibrant green mixture that adds depth of flavor and aroma to dishes.

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Ingredients

• 1 bunch of fresh thyme
• 1 bunch of fresh scallions (green onions), chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (adjust to taste), seeds removed for less heat
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves and stems
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves and stems
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• Juice of 2 limes or lemons
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Rinse all the fresh herbs thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Remove the thyme leaves from the stems.
3. In a food processor or blender, combine the thyme leaves, chopped scallions, chopped onion, Scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, ginger, cilantro, parsley, ground allspice, black pepper, salt, lime or lemon juice, and olive oil.
4. Blend everything together until you achieve a smooth paste. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor a few times to ensure everything is well combined.
5. Taste the seasoning and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
6. Transfer the green seasoning to a clean glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
7. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

46.19

Fat

3.62 g

Sat. Fat

0.5 g

Carbs

3.63 g

Fiber

0.67 g

Net carbs

2.96 g

Sugar

0.97 g

Protein

0.55 g

Sodium

294.02 mg

Cholesterol

0 mg

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