Caribbean Green Seasoning

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Jamaican Green Seasoning is vibrant, fragrant and full of aromatic herbs. An easy-to-make seasoning that is chock full of amazing Caribbean flavors, Jamaican Green Seasoning is super versatile and can be used in all sorts of recipes.

Suitable for Vegan, Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Keto, Paleo, and Whole30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

top down view of a spoonful of green seasoning resting on top of a jar

Caribbean cuisine is known for its bold, vibrant flavors. From aromatic spices to delightful blends of herbs, Caribbean food is a fusion of flavors that make your tastebuds dance. At the heart of many Caribbean dishes lies a secret ingredient, an enchanting concoction known as Caribbean Green Seasoning.

This addictive homemade Jamaican Green Seasoning recipe is vibrant, fragrant, and full of aromatic herbs that, when blended together, pack an amazing flavor punch that makes recipes sing.

Although the exact recipe may differ from household to household, the foundation generally consists of vibrant ingredients such as cilantro, thyme, scallions, garlic, and hot peppers.

The allure of Caribbean Green Seasoning lies in its masterful combination of fresh herbs, pungent spices, and zesty citrus notes. These aromatic elements come together in a sauce that is intensely flavorful with a hint of heat.

And the best part is this green spice sauce is easy to whip up with a few affordable ingredients and minimal prep and comes together in under 5 minutes! Just like this recipe for The Best Dang Creole Seasoning and my Easy Jamaican Jerk Sauce.

a jar of green seasoning next to a bunch of fresh parsley

What Is Green Seasoning

This aromatic mixture is a staple in the culinary traditions of the Caribbean islands, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and many more. Various households and various Caribbean islands each have their own version. My version comes from a Trinidadian green seasoning recipe.

Green Seasoning is a Caribbean staple paste or sauce made from all-natural ingredients. Basically, it is like a Caribbean pesto sauce (without the nuts and cheese) used mostly as a marinade for meats, the uses of Caribbean Green Seasoning extend far beyond a mere marinade or seasoning.

It serves as the essence that brings dishes to life, infusing them with an unmistakable Caribbean flair. Whether it’s slathered onto succulent meats before grilling, drizzled over veggies or fish, used for adding depth to stews, or enhancing the flavors of soups and rice dishes, Green Seasoning is the secret ingredient that transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

jar of green seasoning on a white cutting board and table

Why Make This Recipe

  • It’s Cost Effective – Making a batch of Jamaican green seasoning is a great way to use up leftover herbs, and homemade versions are more cost effective than store-bought sauces.
  • It Elevates Flavor – Green seasoning adds a burst of fresh and vibrant flavors to your dishes. The combination of aromatic herbs, pungent spices, and zesty citrus notes creates a taste sensation that will take your meals to the next level.
  • It’s Customizable – The sauce is easy to adapt to your tastes and preferences with herbs you have to hand.
  • It’s Authentic – If you want to recreate the authentic flavors of Caribbean cuisine, making green seasoning is a must. It is a staple in Caribbean cooking, and using it in your recipes will transport you to the sun-soaked islands with every bite.
top down view of a jar filled with green seasoning set next to a spoon filled with green seasoning

Ingredient Notes

  • Cilantro – Chopped cilantro is a herb with a distinct, fresh flavor. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute it with fresh parsley or a combination of parsley and basil.
  • Chives – Chopped chives have a mild onion flavor. If you don’t have chives on hand, you can use finely chopped green onions (scallions) as a substitute.
  • Parsley – Parsley adds a slightly bitter and earthy flavor to the seasoning. If you prefer a milder taste, you can replace parsley with fresh basil or a combination of basil and mint.
  • Green Onions (Scallions) – These onions have a milder taste compared to regular onions. If you don’t have green onions, you can use finely chopped shallots or red onions as a substitute.
  • Onion – Chopped onion adds a sweet and savory element to the seasoning.
  • Thyme – Fresh thyme contributes a subtle earthy and herbal note. If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can use dried thyme, but reduce the quantity by half since dried herbs are more concentrated.
  • Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed Lemon juice provides a tangy and citrusy element. If you don’t have lemons, you can substitute them with lime juice or use vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
  • Ginger – Fresh ginger adds a warm and slightly spicy flavor. If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use ground ginger as a substitute. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic adds a pungent and savory taste. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder or granulated garlic. Keep in mind that the flavor intensity may vary, so adjust the quantity accordingly.
  • Salt – Kosher salt or sea salt enhances the overall flavors in the seasoning.
  • Chili Pepper – Adds heat and spiciness to the seasoning. You can use your preferred chili pepper, such as jalapeño or serrano, or substitute with chili flakes or cayenne pepper for a milder or hotter taste. Scotch bonnet or another habanero pepper will add lots of heat.
  • Water – Water is added if needed to adjust the consistency of the seasoning. Only add water sparingly, if required, to achieve the desired thickness.

Ready to learn how to make this Jamaican Green Seasoning? Gather your ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Make Green Seasoning

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

In a Food Processor

  1. Add all the ingredients minus the water to a food processor and then pulse into a paste (this method gives a bit of a coarse texture).
  2. Next, adjust the seasoning as needed and add water to adjust the texture as needed.
  3. Decant into a mason jar or large spice jar for storing

Make It In A Blender

  1. Add all the ingredients except for water into a blender and then blend into a smooth paste. 
  2. Next, adjust seasonings as needed and add water to adjust the texture as needed.
  3. Then decant into a clean jar before storing.
image collage showing the steps for making Jamaican green seasoning

Pro Tips

  • Rinse off the herbs and then pat dry before adding to the blender or food processor.
  • Use fresh ingredients versus dried ingredients whenever possible.
  • If making in a blender, roughly chop the onion and herbs a little smaller to make blending them easier.
  • Adjust the herbs and seasonings to your taste.
  • Add more or less chili to suit your taste.
  • Use a sharp knife and remove the woody stems from the fresh herbs before adding them to the blender or food processor.
  • The bright green color will get darker over time. Don’t worry, this is normal.
  • Make sure to rinse your herbs and other ingredients thoroughly to get rid of any dirt.
  • Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays. You can add the frozen cubes directly into soups, stews, rice dishes, curries, or any recipe you are cooking. But if using them as a marinade, you will need to thaw the cubes first.

Delicious Variations

  • Adjust the Herbs – If you like more cilantro, then add more in. Love thyme? Then add in a bit extra.
  • Add Other Ingredients – Try adding combinations of celery, basil, pimento, shallots, bell peppers, sweet peppers, olive oil, cilantro, or rosemary for a different flavor profile.
  • Adjust the Heat – For more heat, add in some hot pepper like habanero pepper or scotch bonnet pepper, or milder ones like pimento peppers.
top down view of a jar filled with green seasoning set on top of cloth napkins

Prep and Storage

  • Store – You can store this Jamaican Green Seasoning recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
  • Freeze – Portion the Trinidad green seasoning into ice cube trays (using a silicon ice cube tray will make your life much easier) to freeze. Once frozen, pop out the individual cubes from the trays, then add them into labeled zip lock bags or other freezer bags. Store in your freezer for up to 3 months.

FAQs

How To Use Green Seasoning?

Add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of green seasoning to your recipes as you cook. If you like more, then be my guest.
To be honest, this is one very flexible recipe. This is all about mixing and matching herbs to your taste. Plus, it is all about throwing in whatever herbs you have to hand. It is a staple in Caribbean Cooking.

Is Green Seasoning Spicy?

You can adjust the spiciness of green seasoning by varying the amount of chili or hot peppers you use. Start with a smaller amount and gradually increase it according to your heat preference. You can also remove the seeds and membranes from the chili peppers to reduce the spice level.

Is Caribbean Seasoning Diet Friendly?

Green seasoning is typically gluten-free and vegan, as it consists of nothing but fresh herbs, vegetables, and spices.

green seasoning inside ice cube tray and ready to be frozen

More Recipes You May Like

Serving Suggestions

More Jamaican Recipes

Weight Watchers Points

There are 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Get the Green Seasoning Recipe:

Don’t forget to tag #recipesfromapantry on Instagram or Twitter if you try Jamaican Green Seasoning! It is really, really awesome for me when you make one of my recipes and I’d love to see it. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too! Thank you for reading Recipes from a Pantry.

top down view of a spoonful of green seasoning resting on top of a jar
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Jamaican Green Seasoning

It’s easy to make this delicious and versatile green seasoning!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Seasoning
Cuisine: American, Caribbean, Western
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Servings: 8
Calories: 11kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups (40g) chopped cilantro
  • ½ cup (25g) chopped chives
  • 1 cup (25g) roughly chopped parsley
  • 4 green onions scallions
  • 4 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice or even more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • salt to taste
  • chili pepper to taste
  • water if needed, about ⅓ -½ cup

Instructions

Food Processor Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients, minus the water, to a food processor and pulse into a paste.
  • Adjust seasoning as needed and add water as needed to adjust the texture.
  • Decant into a clean jar.
  • Note: this method gives a bit of a coarse texture.

Blender Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients except for the water to a blender and then blend into a smooth paste.
  • Adjust seasoning as needed and add water as needed to adjust the texture.
  • Decant into a clean jar.
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Notes

  • Rinse off the herbs and then pat dry before adding to the blender or food processor.
  • Use fresh ingredients versus dried ingredients whenever possible.
  • If making in a blender, roughly chop the onion and herbs a little smaller to make blending them easier.
  • Adjust the herbs and seasonings to your taste.
  • Add more or less chili to suit your taste.
  • Use a sharp knife and remove the woody stems from the fresh herbs before adding them to the blender or food processor.
  • The bright green color will get darker over time. Don’t worry, this is normal.
  • Make sure to rinse your herbs and other ingredients thoroughly to get rid of any dirt.
  • Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays. You can add the frozen cubes directly into soups, stews, rice dishes, curries, or any recipe you are cooking. But if using them as a marinade, you will need to thaw the cubes first.
  • Storage – keep refrigerated for up to 7 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • There are 0 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 11kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1039IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    What a beautifully vibrant colour! With all the fresh herbs blended in together it makes for wonderfully versatile seasoning. Loved it drizzled over some roasted veggies. Yum!