Jamaican Green Seasoning

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.

Why you should make your own green seasoning:

1. Freshness: When you make green seasoning at home, you're using fresh herbs and spices. Fresh ingredients have a more vibrant flavor compared to their dried or processed counterparts found in store-bought seasonings. The aroma and taste of freshly blended herbs and spices can elevate the overall flavor profile of your dish.

2. Customization: Homemade green seasoning allows you to customize the blend according to your taste preferences. You can adjust the ratio of herbs, spices, and aromatics to create a seasoning that suits your palate perfectly. Plus, you have the flexibility to experiment with different ingredients to create unique flavor profiles.

3. No Preservatives: Store-bought seasonings often contain preservatives and additives to prolong shelf life. Making green seasoning at home allows you to avoid these additives, resulting in a healthier option for seasoning your food.

4. Authenticity: Many traditional recipes call for homemade green seasoning because it's an integral part of Caribbean and Latin American cuisines. Using homemade green seasoning helps maintain the authenticity of dishes and ensures they taste true to their cultural roots.

5. Control Over Ingredients: When you make green seasoning at home, you have full control over the quality and origin of the ingredients. You can select fresh, high-quality herbs and spices, and you can avoid any ingredients that you prefer not to include, such as artificial flavors or colors.

When to use green seasoning:

• It can be used as a marinade for meats and fish, allowing the flavors to penetrate and infuse into the protein before cooking.

• It can be used as a seasoning for soups, stews, and sauces, adding a burst of fresh flavor to the dish.

• It can be used as a condiment or finishing touch for grilled or roasted dishes, enhancing the flavors with its aromatic profile.

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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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