Caribbean Green Seasoning Recipe
Introduction
Caribbean Green Seasoning is a vibrant, aromatic blend of fresh herbs and peppers that adds incredible flavor to any dish. This versatile marinade is a staple in Caribbean cooking, perfect for seasoning meats, seafood, or vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 16 cloves garlic, peeled
- 6 Trinidadian pimento peppers or 1 red or green Cubanelle pepper
- 8 green onions, trimmed
- 4 Guyanese wiri wiri peppers (or 1 Scotch bonnet or 2 to 3 habaneros)
- 6 culantro leaves
- Leaves from 10 sprigs parsley
- 16 sprigs thyme
- 10 basil leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse the peppers, green onions, and herbs thoroughly. Remove the stems from all hot peppers. If using Cubanelle peppers, remove both stems and seeds. Roughly chop the green onions. Strip the leaves from the woody parts of the thyme sprigs, leaving the tender stems with leaves intact.
- Step 2: Work in two batches. Add half of the ingredients to a food processor and pulse on high for a few seconds. Pause to scrape down the sides with a spatula, then continue pulsing until the mixture forms a thick paste or marinade-like consistency.
- Step 3: Repeat the process with the remaining half of the ingredients and combine the two batches if needed.
- Step 4: Transfer the green seasoning to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid for storage.
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the heat by choosing peppers that suit your spice tolerance; substitute wiri wiri with Scotch bonnet or habaneros for more heat.
- Use fresh culantro for authentic flavor; if unavailable, cilantro is a milder alternative.
- Pulse gently to avoid over-processing — you want a coarse paste, not a smooth puree.
Storage
Store the seasoning in a glass container with a tight lid in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To freeze, spoon the seasoning into an ice cube tray and cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. Frozen cubes keep well for up to 6 months. Thaw as needed before use.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular parsley instead of the one called for in the recipe?
Yes, regular parsley works well if you don’t have access to Caribbean varieties. It will still add a fresh, herbal note to the seasoning.
Is it necessary to use a food processor?
While a food processor makes preparation quick and easy, you can also finely chop the ingredients by hand. This will take more time but produces a similar result.
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Caribbean Green Seasoning Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 2 cups of seasoning paste 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Caribbean Green Seasoning is a vibrant and aromatic blend of fresh herbs and hot peppers, finely processed into a flavorful paste perfect for marinating meats, seasoning stews, and enhancing Caribbean-inspired dishes. This versatile seasoning combines traditional ingredients like thyme, culantro, pimento peppers, and garlic to bring authentic island flavors to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Peppers
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 16 cloves garlic, peeled
- 6 Trinidadian pimento peppers or 1 red or green Cubanelle pepper, stemmed (and seeded if using Cubanelle)
- 8 green onions, trimmed and roughly chopped
- 4 Guyanese wiri wiri peppers or 1 Scotch bonnet or 2 to 3 habaneros, stemmed
Herbs
- 6 culantro leaves
- Leaves from 10 sprigs parsley
- 16 sprigs thyme, leaves removed from woody stems
- 10 basil leaves
Instructions
- Prep the vegetables and herbs: Rinse all peppers, green onions, and herbs under cold water. Remove the stems from the hot peppers and if using Cubanelle peppers, remove the seeds. Roughly chop the green onions. Remove the hard woody stems from the thyme, keeping the tender leaves and stems intact.
- Pulse the ingredients: In a food processor, add half of the ingredients and pulse on high for a few seconds. Open the lid, scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure even blending. Pulse again until the mixture forms a thick, paste-like marinade. Repeat this process with the remaining ingredients until all are blended evenly.
- Store the seasoning: Transfer the green seasoning paste to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, such as a mason jar. Avoid plastic containers to prevent the strong aroma from being absorbed. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze for long-term storage: Spoon the seasoning into the compartments of an ice cube tray and cover with a matching lid or double wrap with plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn. Once frozen solid, pop out the cubes and place them in a freezer-safe bag. The seasoning will keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Notes
- Adjust the heat by selecting milder or hotter peppers according to your taste preferences.
- Use the seasoning paste as a marinade for chicken, pork, or fish, or stir it into stews and soups for an authentic Caribbean flavor.
- Ensure all herbs and vegetables are fresh for the best aroma and taste.
- Glass containers are preferred for storage to maintain flavor and avoid odor absorption.
- Freezing in ice cube trays allows portion control and easy use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce/Condiment
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Keywords: Caribbean green seasoning, green marinade, Caribbean herbs, homemade seasoning paste, fresh herb marinade
