Vegetarian Caribbean Jerk-Style Compound Butter
Bold, fiery, and deeply aromatic, this compound butter packs all the warmth of Caribbean jerk seasoning into a silky, sliceable log you can keep in the fridge and reach for all week long. Scotch bonnet pepper brings genuine heat, while allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and smoked paprika layer in that signature jerk complexity — rounded out by fresh ginger, lime zest, and a touch of maple syrup for balance. The whole thing comes together in a single bowl with a fork, no special equipment required. Once it's rolled into a log and chilled, you've got a finishing butter that melts dramatically over hot roasted vegetables, grilled corn, or anything else that needs a flavor upgrade. Every single ingredient here is plant-free of meat and animal byproducts beyond the butter itself, so it fits naturally into a vegetarian kitchen without any substitutions or workarounds. A pat placed on sizzling vegetables at the table is genuinely impressive, and guests will have no idea how little effort it took.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 tbsp scallion greens, finely sliced (green tops only)
- 1 tsp fresh scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, seeded and minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp lime zest (from about 1 lime)
- 1 tsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ¾ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, scallion greens, scotch bonnet pepper, ginger, lime zest, lime juice, and maple syrup. Beat with a fork or hand mixer until the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- 2
Add the allspice, cinnamon, thyme, black pepper, nutmeg, smoked paprika, and salt. Beat again until the spices are fully incorporated and the butter is uniform in color with no dry pockets of spice visible. Fold in the cilantro, if using.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!