This $4 Pantry Staple Is So Good, I Started Buying 2 Jars at a Time (It Makes Chicken Taste Incredible)

This $4 Pantry Staple Is So Good, I Started Buying 2 Jars at a Time (It Makes Chicken Taste Incredible)
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Grilled chicken thighs with charred grill marks, garnished with parsley, on a dark serving platter.
Credit: Photo: Julia Gartland; Food Styling: Duncan Fitzpatrick

Growing up with Caribbean parents from Barbados and Guyana meant that well-seasoned, spicy dishes like curry chicken were culinary staples in my home. It wasn’t until decades later that I’d tried jerk chicken for the very first time in my early 20s. I knew right then there would be no turning back. 

Living in New York meant quick and easy access to a seemingly endless amount of beloved jerk, but Tulsa Oklahoma literally has one Caribbean restaurant, so I’ve been craving it ever since I moved to the Midwestern state in 2023. That all changed thankfully a few months ago, when I discovered Grace Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning — a spicy jerk seasoning with a sweet twist. 

Two jars of Grace Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning on a speckled countertop, featuring a honeycomb-patterned lid.
Credit: Samantha Hunter

What’s So Great About Grace Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning?

The creation of Jamaican Jerk can be traced back to the Maroons (a group of African who escaped enslavement by retreating to the mountains of Jamaica), and originally entailed the process of marinating, then smoking meats to preserve them. Grace’s Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning brings the heat but also lends itself to the rich flavor profile of original jerk seasoning, which was a combination of spices grown on the island of Jamaica, including the famous scotch bonnet pepper, plus scallions, thyme, and onions, along with several other flavorful spices. 

Bowl of seasoned chicken with lettuce and red onion beside a jar of Jamaican honey jerk seasoning on a granite countertop.
Credit: Samantha Hunter

What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Grace Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning?

After popping the lid, the very first thing I tried this seasoning on was some fresh mozzarella. I was beyond impressed at how effortlessly it elevated the cheese and satisfied my palate with its sweet and spicy components. It emboldened me to try it on anything and everything. 

Bowl of mixed salad with grilled chicken, red onions, and various greens on a speckled countertop.
Credit: Samantha Hunter

Currently, my favorite way to enjoy Grace Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning is in any number of salads. I’ll either drizzle it right over the leafy greens or season my plant-based meat with it before topping my salad. My 26-year-old son reached out to me the other day as well asking me how I used to season two of his favorite dishes, lamb chops and salmon, and I told him this could easily be a “secret ingredient” to add a little kick to the dishes. 

Buy: Grace Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning, starting at $4.24 for 12 ounces at Uber Eats

What seasoning are you adding to anything and everything this summer? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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