Caribbean🥫 Sauces & condiments

Mild Jamaican Jerk Marinade

Name: Mild Jamaican Jerk Marinade
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients: 3-5 pimento peppers; 6 scallions; ~3-4 sprigs fresh thyme; ~1 tbsp pimento seeds (pimento berries); ~1 tsp cinnamon; ~1 tsp black pepper; ~6-8 cloves garlic; ~½ cup onion; ~2-3 tbsp golden brown sugar; ~¼ cups rice vinegar; ~2 tbsp light soy sauce; ~3 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 slices ginger; ~2 leaves bay leaves; ~¼ tsp fresh nutmeg; 1 lemon juice

A mild version of traditional Jamaican jerk marinade that captures the bold Caribbean flavors without the heat of Scotch Bonnet peppers by using pimento peppers instead, perfect for those who cannot tolerate spicy foods.

Adapted from a video by caribbeanpot

Mild Jamaican Jerk Marinade | CaribbeanPot.com

Watch on YouTube

Ingredients

pimento pepperspreferably green ones; used as a milder substitute for Scotch Bonnet peppers3-5
scallionsroughly chopped6
fresh thymeremove woody stems, keep tender stems only~3-4 sprigsest.
pimento seeds (pimento berries)freshly ground preferred, or use pimento powder~1 tbspest.
cinnamon~1 tspest.
black pepper~1 tspest.
garlicrough chop optional~6-8 clovesest.
onion~½ cupest.
golden brown sugarcan substitute with dark brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup

Steps

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1
Wash the scallions thoroughly and chop them roughly. Gather all your ingredients including the pimento peppers, fresh thyme (removing woody stems), garlic, onion, and bay leaves. Prepare your food processor or blender.
2
In a mortar and pestle, grind the pimento seeds, cinnamon, and black pepper together. Cup your hand over the mortar to prevent spices from jumping out as you crush them.
3
Add the roughly chopped scallions to your food processor. Follow with the ground spice mixture, garlic, onion, brown sugar, rice vinegar, light soy sauce, and vegetable oil.
4
Add the bay leaves and pimento peppers to the processor. Freshly grate nutmeg into the mixture. Include a few slices of ginger and squeeze in the lemon juice.
5
Process the mixture in the food processor. About halfway through, stop and add the fresh thyme. Continue processing until you reach your desired texture—chunky or smooth, depending on preference. You may add more soy sauce if you want a darker color.
6
Transfer the marinade into clean glass containers for storage. Avoid plastic containers as the strong flavors will absorb into the plastic. Store in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 months. When using, season your protein with salt first, then apply this marinade.

Mild Jamaican Jerk Marinade

Ingredients

Steps

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