Barrier Reef Caribbean Mix (Salt-Free)

Use Caribbean citrus seasoning on chicken, duck and pork. Great on seafood like orange roughy and halibut, finished off with a fresh lime squeeze before taking your first bites.

Sugar cane might not be the first thing you think of in a seasoning. These days, most of us look for ways to cut it from our diets, but in the Caribbean, it’s always been part of the flavor story. Cane transformed into brown sugar, molasses, or rum appears alongside nutmeg, ginger, and chiles, with a splash of citrus tying it all together. That mix of sugar cane, spice, heat, and citrus is what I think of as the tropical trio. It captures the flavor and spirit of the islands. When we were creating Barrier Reef Caribbean Mix, I leaned into that tropical trio. Sugar cane comes first, adding natural sweetness that balances the chile heat and citrus brightness. Making a seasoning without salt is tricky since salt usually acts as the great balancer, but here I let those other flavors do the work. Using Barrier Reef at home: Try it sprinkled on fish or chicken with a squeeze of lime, or stir it into a splash of rum for a quick island-inspired glaze to brush on shrimp.

Named for the Barrier Reef in Belize (the largest in the Western hemisphere) the Caribbean spice combination of chiles and citrus evoke tropical warmth.

This coarse blend rehydrates nicely when cooked, as the dried lemon and orange peels soften and the flavors bloom.

Barrier Reef Caribbean Mix Q&A

What is in Caribbean seasoning?

Most Caribbean seasoning usually includes citrus flavors like lemon, lime or orange, as well as warmly-spiced seasonings such as ginger, nutmeg, cloves or mace. A touch of heat is also typically added with the addition of dried chile peppers.

What to pair with citrus chile seasoning?

Citrus chile seasoning pairs well with fish and chicken, but also works great on vegetables that go well with citrusy flavors. A squeeze of lime juice also goes so well with most citrus & chile spice blends.

How spicy is citrus chile seasoning?

The spiciness of citrus & chile seasoning typically depends on how much chile spices were used, as well as what types of chile peppers. Though it usually has a touch of heat, it depends on the amount used in a blend.