Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (2024)

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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.

Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (1)

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!

Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (2)

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.

Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (3)

Jamaican Curry Powder Ingredients

Whilst there are some common ingredients in Jamaican Currypowder, everyone has their own little variations. Here is a base recipe, but feelfree 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.
Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (4)

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
Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (5)

What is the Difference Between Indian Curry Powder and JamaicanCurry 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.

Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (6)

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.

Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (7)

Curry Powder Weight Watchers Points

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

More Jamaican Recipes

  • Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
  • Jamaican Rum Punch
  • Jamaican Sorrel Moscow Mule.
  • Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
  • Jamaican Curried Goat
  • Jamaican Carrot soup.
  • Jamaican Rice and Peas.
  • Jamaican Oxtails.
  • Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Stew.
  • Jerk Shrimp.

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.

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Print Recipe

5 from 8 votes

Jamaican Curry Powder

This Jamaican Curry Powder recipe is vibrant and flavorful, and is ready in less than 15 mins!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

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

  • Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
  • Jamaican Rum Punch
  • Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
  • Jamaican Curried Goat

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

Jamaican Curry Powder Recipe | Recipe From A Pantry (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for Jamaican curry powder? ›

To substitute Jamaican curry powder, I started with regular curry powder (which contains most of the same spices), then added extra turmeric and allspice. This allowed me to use ingredients that were easy for me to find, AND I didn't have to toast and grind the spices myself.

What is Jamaican curry powder made of? ›

Combine the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, anise seeds, fenugreek seeds, and allspice berries in a skillet. Toast over medium heat until the color of the spices slightly darkens, and the spices are very fragrant, about 10 minutes. Remove the spices from the skillet, and allow to cool to room temperature.

What's the difference between Jamaican curry powder and curry powder? ›

Indian curry powders tend to have more chile powder in them while Jamaican curry powder. Some commercial versions may have a bit of cayenne pepper in them, but most recipes usually omit that spice. So Jamaican curry powder is more mild in that way.

What to use if I don't have curry powder? ›

Cumin and chili powder work together as a swap-out ingredient for curry powder that deliver spicy warming notes. These spices work with meat dishes, stews and curries.

What is curry powder made of? ›

Curry powders usually consist of turmeric, cumin, ginger, and black pepper. Some blends also incorporate garlic and cinnamon. What all curry powders share is a sweet warmth and pleasant pungency that adds a toasty depth to everything it touches.

What's the difference between curry powder and curry mix? ›

Curry paste is a wet ingredient made with fresh chilies. It must be dissolved into a liquid during the cooking process. Curry powder is a dry ingredient that must be activated with a liquid or oil. It does not include fresh chilies, so it will be much less spicy than a curry paste.

Why is my Jamaican curry bitter? ›

With a meaty sauce that covers the veggies you cannot go wrong when serving this hearty meal to your family and friends. Your curry can taste bitter if the spices and garlic are burnt or if you've added too much fenugreek to the dish.

Why do Jamaicans eat curry? ›

According to Sen's book, 1.5 million Indians migrated to other parts of the British Empire between 1834 and 1917, including 114,000 to Trinidad and Tobago and 36,000 to Jamaica. The mass migration resulted in an influx of new cooking techniques, ingredients and dishes, including curry.

Is Jamaican curry good for you? ›

Jamaican curry powder contains multiple spices that are good sources of important nutrients. Those nutrients include: Vitamins: Pimento and turmeric both contain moderate levels of vitamin C, while cumin contains vitamin B-1. Turmeric also contains a significant amount of vitamin B-6.

Is garam masala a substitute for curry powder? ›

While curry powder's aromatic qualities are different from garam masala, the former offers a similar complexity of flavors and aromas. Curry powder works well with a wide range of dishes, and includes some of the key ingredients of garam masala. To replace garam masala with curry powder in your recipe, use a 1:1 ratio.

Why is curry powder so good? ›

Potent anti-inflammatory properties

Being that curry powder is packed with spices like turmeric, coriander, and chili pepper, it's no wonder that this seasoning has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory benefits ( 1 ). Turmeric, one of the main spices in the blend, contains a pigment called curcumin.

Do you just add water to curry powder? ›

To Make Curry Paste: Combine 1 tablespoon of curry powder with 1 tablespoon of water and 1 tablespoon of oil and mix together. You can also add some finely minced garlic and ginger.

Do you need turmeric for curry? ›

Top Substitute for Turmeric Powder: Curry Powder

And most curry powders are built on a base of turmeric powder so it will deliver the earthy flavor profile that you desire from turmeric.

Can I substitute curry paste for curry powder? ›

In most cases, you can substitute curry paste for powder, but not the other way around. However, it might have a different flavor since the curry powder does not have fresh ingredients such as shallots or garlic.

Is Jamaican All spice the same as all spice? ›

Allspice, also known as Jamaica pepper, myrtle pepper, pimenta, or pimento, is the dried unripe berry of Pimenta dioica, a midcanopy tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America, now cultivated in many warm parts of the world.

Is curry powder the same as tikka curry powder? ›

Recipes for both use the same seasonings, and appear pretty much interchangeable, except that curry often has coconut-something in it, and tikka masala is heavy on butter and cream.

References

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