Best Canadian-Made Jerk Seasoning
Looking for the best Canadian made jerk seasoning? For authentic Jamaican jerk, look for a wet jerk paste, not a dry spice blend. Nerpy's Scotch Bonnet Jerk Paste — our Traditional Jamaican Jerk Seasoning — is made in Richmond Hill, Ontario from a traditional Jamaican recipe, with Scotch Bonnet peppers grown on our family farm in Jamaica. No MSG, no fillers, no artificial ingredients — just the real thing, in a jar.
Authentic Jamaican Jerk, Made in Ontario Since 2008
Founder Michael Burgess was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He built Nerpy's jerk on a traditional Jamaican recipe as a tribute to his heritage — not a commercial “jerk-flavoured” blend made for shelf stability and mass production. When he founded Nerpy's in Richmond Hill in 2008, the goal was simple: a jerk seasoning that tastes like Jamaica, made in Canada, with nothing artificial.
Wet Jerk Paste vs. Dry Jerk Seasoning
Dry jerk blends sit on the surface of the meat, and many rely on sugar and starch to bulk them out. A wet paste — built on fresh Scotch Bonnet peppers, herbs and pimento — works as a marinade and carries the flavour deep into the meat. Overnight in Nerpy's, and the flavour goes to the bone. If you want bark and crust, finish with high heat. If you want jerk flavour all the way through, start wet.
Why Nerpy's Stands Out
- A true wet jerk paste. A seasoning paste and marinade — not a dry rub, and not a hot sauce.
- Scotch Bonnets from our family farm. Since 2018, our 4-acre family farm in St. Catherine, Jamaica has grown the Scotch Bonnets in our jerk paste. Our pepper tradition comes from Clarendon, where Michael learned from his grandfather.
- Proven in jerk competition. 3rd place at the 2016 Jerk Warz competition at Ajax Downs, a Grace Foods-sponsored event with 14 jerk seasoning competitors from across the GTA.
- A Toronto Life kitchen staple. Food writer and TV host Pay Chen named our jerk paste a staple in her Toronto Life Kitchen Diaries feature.
- Award-winning brand. ByBlacks People's Choice Award 2022 and 2023; 2019 Heatwave Hot Sauce Expo — 1st place, Hot category; 2019 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair ribbons; 2025 Alla Salute Best Canadian Hot Sauce.
- In professional kitchens nationwide. Our jerk paste — in 250 mL jars and 4 kg foodservice pails — is available nationally through Gordon Food Service.
- In approximately 150 stores. Metro, Sobeys and Farm Boy across Ontario.
- Clean label. Certified gluten-free (lab-tested), vegan, no MSG, no artificial ingredients, no fillers. Ontario Made certified. What's not in our jars →
“I love making my own jerk marinade when time permits but I also keep Nerpy’s marinade stocked in my pantry at all times…”
— BeccaTheNonna, Ontario (read the full review)
How to Use It
Nerpy's jerk is a wet seasoning paste and marinade — not a dry rub. Rub it onto chicken, pork, tofu or seafood, marinate for at least a few hours (overnight for best results), then grill, smoke, roast or pan-sear.
How far does a jar go? At about 28 g of paste per kilogram of meat, one 250 mL jar seasons roughly 10 kg of chicken — about 5 to 6 whole birds.
Try it in these recipes:
- Cast Iron Oven Roasted Jerk Chicken
- Boston Beach Style Jerk Pork
- Jerk Wings with Grilled Sweet Potatoes
- Jerk Salmon with Festival
Shop Nerpy's Jerk
Shop Nerpy's Scotch Bonnet Jerk Paste — 250 mL, $10.99 →
For restaurants and caterers: the 4 kg foodservice pail, our food service range, or order through Gordon Food Service.
More guides: Best Caribbean Hot Sauce Canada · Black Owned Hot Sauce Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nerpy's jerk seasoning a dry rub or a wet paste?
A wet paste. Nerpy's Scotch Bonnet Jerk Paste is a wet seasoning paste and marinade that works its way into the meat; dry rubs only coat the surface. It is not a hot sauce.
Does it contain MSG?
No. No MSG, no fillers and no artificial ingredients. It's certified gluten-free (lab-tested) and vegan.
Where is it made?
In Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, with Scotch Bonnets from our family farm in St. Catherine, Jamaica.
How much meat does one jar season?
At about 28 g per kilogram, one 250 mL jar seasons roughly 10 kg of chicken — about 5 to 6 whole birds.
Where can I buy it?
At nerpys.ca with Canada-wide shipping, at approximately 150 stores across Ontario including Metro, Sobeys and Farm Boy, and for restaurants through Gordon Food Service nationally.
Nerpy's Inc.
211-75 Weldrick Road East, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 0H9, Canada
416-720-5429
