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Jerk

Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica in which meats (traditionally pork and goat were used but now including chicken, fish, beef, sausage and even tofu) are dry-rubbed with a fiery spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice.

Jerk seasoning is a mixture of allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers (among the hottest peppers on the Scoville scale). Other ingredients may include cloves, cinnamon, scallions, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, which are mixed together to form a marinade which is rubbed onto pork, chicken, or fish.

Jerk chicken, pork, or fish is said to be at its best when barbecued over aromatic wood charcoal or briquettes. Pimento (allspice) wood or berries placed over coals give jerk its authentic flavor.

Originally the jerk meat was cut into strips and dried in the sun for use at a later date. A small fire was lit under the meat so that the smoke would prevent flies from laying their eggs on the raw meat.

Jerking has evolved over time from pit fires to old oil barrel halves as the container of choice. In about the 1960s, Jamaican entrepreneurs sought to recreate the smoked pit flavour, and relatively quickly came up with a solution. The solution was to cut oil barrels lengthwise and attach hinges, drilling several ventilation holes for the smoke. These barrels are often heated by layers of charcoal, which some say lends itself to making the burnt smokey taste.

A grill over an open fire suffices in the modern rendition. The widely available pre-made seasoning mixes give a passable jerk flavour to meat baked in a kitchen oven.

“Making jerk is like spending time with a kid,” said Oneil Reid, the chef and owner of the shiny Jamaican Dutchy food truck that parks daily on West 51st Street in Manhattan. “You have to watch it every second.”

Relevant Recipes for Jerk

Recipe Names

  1. Boston Beach Jerk Chicken
  2. Caribbean Jerk Chicken
  3. Caribbean Jerk Chicken
  4. Caribbean Jerk Chicken (6 PTS)
  5. Caribbean Jerk Marinade
  6. Caribbean Rub Or Jerk Rub
  7. Carribean Jerk-Style Roast Fresh Ham
  8. Cecil's Jerk Chicken
  9. Cha Cha Cha Jerk Chicken
  10. Chargrilled Jerk Chicken Breast Skewers With Cucumber Dippin
  11. Chile Pepper Jamaican Jerk Marinade
  12. Dry Jerk Rub
  13. Dry Jerk Seasoning
  14. Fresh Jamaican Jerk Tuna Salad ( 7 points)
  15. Grilled Jerk Chicken
  16. Grilled Jerk Chicken With Mango Cilantro Salsa
  17. Grilled Jerk Chicken With Mango Cilantro Salsa
  18. Grilled Jerk Chicken With Sweet Potato Cakes
  19. Grilled Jerk Pork Chops With Jerk Compound Butter
  20. Grilled Jerk Shark With Pineapple Salsa
  21. Grilled Jerk-Rubbed Snapper With Avocado Salsa
  22. Jamaican "Jerk" Chicken Wings
  23. Jamaican Jerk Burgers With Orange-Chipotle Mayonnaise
  24. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
  25. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
  26. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
  27. Jamaican Jerk Chicken Loaf
  28. Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad
  29. Jamaican Jerk Chicken With Fettuccine
  30. Jamaican Jerk Chicken With Pineapple Salsa
  31. Jamaican Jerk Pot Roast - LHJ
  32. Jamaican Jerk Rub
  33. Jamaican Jerk Sauce - 1
  34. Jamaican Jerk Sauce - 2
  35. Jamaican Jerk Sauce - 3
  36. Jamaican Jerk Sauce - 1
  37. Jamaican Jerk Sauce - 2
  38. Jamaican Jerk Sauce - 3
  39. Jamaican Jerk Swordfish With Orange Mango Salsa And Arugula
  40. Jamaican Jerk Tempeh
  41. Jamaican Jerk Tuna
  42. Jamaican Wet Jerk Rub
  43. Jerk Beef
  44. Jerk Chicken
  45. Jerk Chicken
  46. Jerk Chicken
  47. Jerk Chicken (Grilled Spicy Marinated Chicken)
  48. Jerk Chicken (Grilled Spicy Marinated Chicken)
  49. Jerk Chicken - (Grilled Spicy Marinated Chicken)
  50. Jerk Chicken - Sugar Reef Style
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Recipe Ingredients

  1. Boston Beach Jerk Chicken
  2. Caribbean Chicken And Pineapple Salsa
  3. Caribbean Grouper With Mango, Pear And Avocado Salad
  4. Caribbean Jerk Chicken
  5. Carribean Grouper With Mango, Pear And Avocado Salad
  6. Chargrilled Jerk Chicken Breast Skewers With Cucumber Dippin
  7. Easy Spicy Snack Mix
  8. Grilled Fish Sandwiches
  9. Grilled Jerk Chicken With Sweet Potato Cakes
  10. Grilled Jerk-Rubbed Snapper With Avocado Salsa
  11. Grilled Jerked Chicken On Skewers
  12. Grilled Tenderloins w Hoppin' Johns, Red Pepper & Goat Chz
  13. Jamaican Cole Slaw
  14. Jamaican Hot Wings
  15. Jamaican Hot Wings
  16. Jamaican Jerk Burgers With Orange-Chipotle Mayonnaise
  17. Jamaican Jerk Chicken With Fettuccine
  18. Jamaican Jerk Chicken With Pineapple Salsa
  19. Jamaican Jerk Pot Roast - LHJ
  20. Jamaican Jerk Swordfish With Orange Mango Salsa And Arugula
  21. Jamaican Jerked Chicken
  22. Jamaican Jerked Shrimp
  23. Jamaican Pork And Mango Stir-Fry
  24. Jamaican Pork Stew
  25. Jamaican Seafood Soup
  26. Jerk Chicken
  27. Jerk Chicken Pizza
  28. Jerk Chicken Salad
  29. Jerk Turkey Salad
  30. Jerk-Seasoned Chicken And Pepper Saute
  31. Jerked Grilled Red Sea Bream With Pineapple Salsa
  32. Pork Steaks With Coconut Rice
  33. Red Hot Chile-Rubbed Pork Skewers
  34. Roniece's Jerk Pork Tenderloin
  35. Shrimp On A Stick
  36. Skewered Shrimp On Sugar Cane With Mango Lime Salsa
  37. Skinless Roast Chicken Breast Salad With Vegetable Chips