Yes, I’ve shared a few Caribbean Green Seasoning videos on YouTube and Facebook, and while I have shared a version here on the website, that recipe dates back to 2009 and since then over 700 recipes have since buried it. Basically people are having a difficult time finding it. If you’re not familiar with Caribbean Green Season, it’s the go-to marinade for our poultry, meat, fish + seafood and vegan/vegetarian dishes.
You”ll Need…
750 ml Olive Oil
15-18 scallions
.226g (about 1/2 lb) garlic
3 cups chopped parsley
6 Pimento peppers (aka seasoning pepper)
2 Green Scotch Bonnet Peppers (see note below)
2 cups chopped Cilantro (coriander – see note below)
1 bundle Thyme (about 50-70 sprigs)
1 cup chopped celery (leaves)
5 Italian roaster Peppers
Note. Please watch the video below as I explain a few things concerning the ingredients of my (and potentially your) Caribbean Green Seasoning. Especially why I DO NOT recommend adding ginger, rosemary and basil. Further to what I mentioned, I find that since Basil is a delicate herb and, it’s better used fresh. If I had more seasoning peppers (Pimento) I’d use those instead and not the Italian Roaster Peppers (Cubanelle works too). Since I didn’t have time to drive to Toronto to get Chadon Beni (culantro) I opted for Cilantro. Usually my garden has Spanish Thyme (big leaf aka podina), sadly not this year. Should you do decide to use Rosemary and you have Spanish Thyme, do use sparingly as there are very pungent and can overwhelm your Green Seasoning. As explained in the video I use Olive or Grape Seed oil as my base as it helps to maintain the vibrant color and flavor of the finished green seasoning. Traditionally people use water or vinegar. Finally, you’ll notice I didn’t use any onion in my Green Seasoning, as I find that it diminishes the shelf-life of it (goes bad quickly).
Start by washing the ingredients really well, especially the cilantro which can have a bit of dirt still attached to the roots. In washing, remove dead leaves and other debris.
Allow them to air dry on a kitchen towel, then give everything a rough chop to make it easier for your blender or food processor. I much prefer using a food processor as I can get it to the perfect texture and consistency. I like it somewhat thick and with a bit of body as compared to most people who basically liquify it.
With the Thyme, you may use the tender stems, but PLEASE Remove the woody ones and discard. They may not break down in the food processor and become a choking hazard when you use the Green Seasoning later on in your meals.
Stack (in layers) some of each ingredient, add about 1/2 the oil and pulse with your food processor (yes, you can use a blender as well). Stop to scrape down the sides and to keep adding more of the herbs, garlic and peppers.
I like layering the ingredients as I find I get a much better combination at the end. I did mine in two batches as this lot will make a few containers of Caribbean Green Seasoning.
I then fill up containers (save the ones after use as the Green Seasoning smell and taste will taint them), BUT leave about a cm space to the lid. Then to the back of the fridge where they live for the next couple months… until it’s time to make another batch. They will keep for at lest 6 months in the fridge if you’re wondering. Additionally you can freeze the Green Seasoning in ice trays, pop them out, then into a freezer bag and store in the freezer. Every time you need some, pop a cube out, instead of having to thaw a full container.
Chris, I recently made the Caribbean green seasoning and it turned out better than I thought. I’ve already used it in several dishes and my wife loves the flavor that it gave to her dishes. I did have a hard time finding the Shandon Beni, but I remembered that it is also listed under different names in different regions. I ultimately found Ngo gai in an Asian market along with many of some of the other ingredients. I made enough that some is in the freezer and with the BBQ season here, I am anxious to incorporate the green seasoning in my BBQ recipes.
The one question I have is, recently my wife and I discovered an African Market here in Utah and I was wondering if you had any recipes that can be related to African/Caribbean? I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance.
Chris, If I can’t go to Charlie’s, I get my Chadon Beni in most Asian Supermarkets, they have Chadon Beni. They have different name in the packages though, but if you know what Chadon Beni looks like then you know what to look for even if the name in the packet is in chinese or vietnamese.
Proper Niceness!
Hi. Im familiar with the Green seasoning, but not using olive or grapeseed oil as a ‘base.’ Anxious to use any approach for a longer ‘shelf life.’ Great tip! Much appreciated. Thanks.
Margot F.
I can’t wait to make this.
Do some of the peppers you use have different names? I don’t usually see these at the supermarket. Do you recommend a store in Hamilton? I usually shop at Vietnamese grocery stores and would like to try another store for these ingredients. Thanks so much.
Author
Do you recall which pepper/s specifically? I usually get peppers from Nations and No Frills on Main East.
Buttrums veggie stall in the Hamilton Farmers Market has a pepper they call a sweet habanero that is really close to seasoning pepper. but only in the summer. Nations has culantro which is chadon beni.