If you have stared at three jerk products and wondered which one you actually need, this is for you. Here is the difference between BBQ jerk sauce, jerk seasoning, and jerk marinade, and how to know which one belongs in your hand.
The quickest answer
Jerk seasoning is dry, jerk marinade is wet and soaks in before cooking, and BBQ jerk sauce goes on during or after cooking for flavour and shine. Seasoning rubs on, marinade soaks in, sauce finishes. The good news is that a well made sauce can pull double duty.
What is jerk seasoning?
Jerk seasoning is a dry blend of spices, usually built on allspice, thyme, and warm notes like nutmeg and cinnamon, with dried peppers for heat. You rub it onto food before cooking. It is great for a quick crust, but on its own it can be dry, and the heat can land harder without anything to balance it.
What is jerk marinade?
A jerk marinade is a wet mix that food sits in before cooking so the flavour and a little acid can work their way in. Marinades tenderize and season from the outside in. The trade off is time, since a marinade needs a soak to do its job. Learn the method in our BBQ jerk marinade guide.
What is BBQ jerk sauce?
BBQ jerk sauce takes bold, spiced flavour and turns it into a pourable, brushable sauce with a sweet, tangy barbecue base. You can brush it on while cooking for a glaze, or spoon it on after for a finishing sauce or dip. It is the most flexible of the three, which is why it is our favourite. New to it? Start with what is BBQ jerk sauce.
Which one should you use?
Want a fast dry crust? Reach for seasoning. Have time to soak and want tender, flavourful meat? Use a marinade. Want flavour, shine, and a dip all at once? Sauce wins. For most home cooks, sauce is the easiest path to a great plate.
Can one product do all three?
Sammy D's works as a marinade if you coat your food and let it soak, a glaze if you brush it on while cooking, and a finishing sauce or dip at the table. One bottle, three jobs, made in Ontario. Curious what goes into it? See what is actually in BBQ jerk sauce.
