Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe {Vegan, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Keto, Paleo, Whole30}

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This Jamaican Curry Powder recipe is vibrant, flavorful and so easy to make! In less than 15 minutes, you can have your very own homemade Jamaican curry powder. Perfect for adding bold and complex flavor to all sorts of dishes, this Jamaican Curry Powder is also a fun, affordable and unique edible gift.

Suitable for vegan, gluten free, low carb, keto, paleo, whole30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

close up view of jar filled with Jamaican Curry Powder with a gold spoon

Hey guys, can I introduce you to a store cupboard staple that you NEED in your life? Aka this fragrant, Jamaican Curry Powder recipe that is vibrant, addictive and can convert the most regular recipe to something that will make your taste buds love you forever.

Before we go further….

Please don’t get stressed about making your own homemade curry powder from scratch. This is as easy as toasting a few spices, then grinding everything together before storing it. And it all takes under 15 minutes. #easypeasy right?

Heck to make it even easier, you can start with already ground spices which mean you only need to measure a few tablespoons of spices, mix and store.

And this Jamaican Curry Powder recipe makes for a super unique DIY gift. Mix up a couple of batches, decant into cute spice jars, wrap with a festive bow and hand out to all your foodie friends. Yeap, your holiday gifting just got that much easier!

jar of Caribbean Curry Powder with a gold spoon inside

What is Jamaican Curry Powder

Jamaican Curry powder is a combination of Caribbean spices that is a store cupboard staples across the region. Everyone has a spice jar of this in their pantry. Whilst there are some common ingredients in Jamaican Curry powder, everyone has their own little variations which vary in flavour, complexity and heat.

This version is really the best Jamaican curry powder as it is amazingly fragrant and full of aromatics that just speak to your foodie soul.

Honestly this homemade curry powder recipe will really change your life. Simply whip some up, store and season your Caribbean recipes as and when needed.

a jar of Jamaican curry powder set next to whole spices and a gold spoon

Jamaican Curry Powder Ingredients

Whilst there are some common ingredients in Jamaican Curry powder, everyone has their own little variations. Here is a base recipe, but feel free to adapt to your taste.

whole spices

  • coriander seeds
  • cumin seeds
  • yellow mustard seeds
  • fenugreek seeds
  • whole pimento berries (allspice berries)
  • black peppercorns

ground spices

  • turmeric
  • ginger
  • nutmeg
  • chili
  • cinnamon

How To Make Jamaican Curry Powder

  1. If starting with whole spices, then toast spices on skillet, over medium heat for about 2 -3 minutes until fragrant. Remove spices from skillet and let cool.
  2. Add whole spices to the spice grinder along with the rest of the spices and grind.
  3. Store Jamaican Curry Powder in an airtight spice jar for up to 6 months.
image collage showing the steps for making Jamaican curry powder

Jamaican Curry Recipe Tips

  • Go easy on the curry powder, start with less than you think you need and add more to taste.
  • Curries really do taste better the next day, so cook ahead of time and let stand.
  • Sometimes it is best to mix the curry powder with liquid before adding it to your dish.
  • You can use the curry powder as a dry rub on some veggies or protein.

Caribbean Curry Powder Variations

Feels free to adapt the ingredients of this Caribbean Curry to your taste. Seriously this is all about what you love. Some suggestions include;

  • cloves
  • star anise
  • thyme
  • garlic powder
  • white pepper
a spoonful of Jamaican curry powder next to whole spices

What is the Difference Between Indian Curry Powder and Jamaican Curry Powder

While both curry powders are a blend of spices, Jamaican curry powder usually has a higher proportion of turmeric and is packed full of Jamaican flavors such as pimento, scotch bonnet chili and personal preferences like nutmeg. It is also lower in heat than the Indian version.

To be honest there is not actually a real Indian curry powder – instead Indian cuisine typically has the required spices added directly into the food, rather than as a blend. However **Indian** Curry powders have been invented for a British palate.

You can sometimes substitute Indian Curry for Jamaican curry as long as you are mindful that Indian curry can be hotter, so you may need to use less. You may need to add some Jamaican spices and flavors like allspice and thyme to give it that extra required flavor.

a close up view of the completed Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe

How Long To Store Jamaican Curry Powder?

You can store Jamaican Curry Powder for up to 6 months in an air tight spice jar or mason jar for larger quantities.

This homemade curry powder can actually last a long time, but it loses it freshness and vibrant flavor as time goes by. I suggest you only make only enough to last you for up to 6 months at any one time. After that simply make a new batch.

a jar of Jamaican curry powder wrapped in blue and pink cloth towels

Curry Powder Weight Watchers Points

There are 0 (zero) Freestyle SmartPoints in a serving of Jamaican Curry Powder.

More Jamaican Recipes

Other Seasoning Mixes You Might Like

Homemade Poultry Seasoning.

Thank you for reading my recipe for Caribbean Curry Powder recipe post. And please visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for reading Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

Get The Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe

Don’t forget to tag #recipesfromapantry on Instagram or Twitter if you try Jamaican Curry Powder! 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.

close up view of jar filled with Jamaican Curry Powder with a gold spoon
Print Recipe
5 from 9 votes

Jamaican Curry Powder

This Jamaican Curry Powder recipe is vibrant and flavorful, and is ready in less than 15 mins!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Course: Edible Gifts, Sauce
Cuisine: American, Caribbean, Western
Servings: 20
Calories: 10.15kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

Whole spices

  • 1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds
  • 2 teaspoons whole fenugreek seeds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons whole pimento berries allspice berries
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

Ground spices

  • 2 tablespoons ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground chili
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • If starting with whole spices, toast spices in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 -3 minutes, until fragrant. Remove spices form skillet and let cool.
  • Add whole spices to a grinder, along with the rest of the spices, and grind.
  • Store Jamaican Curry Powder in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
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Video

Notes

Jamaican Curry Recipe Tips

  • Go easy on the curry powder, start with less than you think you need and add more to taste.
  • Curries really do taste better the next day, so cook ahead of time and let stand.
  • Sometimes it is best to mix the curry powder with liquid before adding it to your dish.
  • You can use the curry powder as a dry rub on some veggies or protein.

Jamaican Curry Powder Weight Watchers Points

A serving of this Jamaican curry powder recipe contains 0 (zero) Freestyle SmartPoints.

More Jamaican Recipes

Nutrition

Calories: 10.15kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.71g | Protein: 0.39g | Fat: 0.41g | Saturated Fat: 0.09g | Sodium: 2.39mg | Potassium: 40.92mg | Fiber: 0.65g | Sugar: 0.09g | Vitamin A: 18.63IU | Vitamin C: 0.38mg | Calcium: 10.77mg | Iron: 0.78mg

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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is a fabulous recipe. I’ve been a lazy bum having relatives send me curry powder from Jamaica instead of making it myself. I know, I know! So I’m sure they are happy that I can make a perfectly adequate version myself now. Only thing I added was a teaspoon or so of dried scotch bonnet pepper seeds cause I wanted it to be spicier. 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    Although your article is about Jamaican curry powder recipes, reading this was really helpful for my own business. Especially I was confused before what more curry powder I can include for my business. Now I am quite clear. Very well written and worth reading this article.

  3. 5 stars
    This is so helpful to have on hand for these busy holiday dinners! Also, wouldn’t this make a nice gift for friends and neighbors?