Jamaican Beef Patties Recipe

Introduction

Jamaican beef patties are a flavorful, flaky pastry filled with a spicy beef mixture that’s perfect for a snack or meal. This recipe combines bold Caribbean spices and tender beef wrapped in a golden crust, making it a beloved treat worldwide.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Jamaican curry powder
• 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, grated
• 1 cup ice cold water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef (grass-fed recommended)
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste or minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste or freshly grated ginger
• Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground Jamaican allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon Jamaican curry powder
• 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers, deseeded & finely chopped (use gloves)
• 4 scallions (green onions), chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth, plus more as needed
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar, curry powder, and turmeric powder. Add grated butter and use your hands to pinch it into the dry ingredients until pea-sized bits form and are coated.
2. Step 2: Make a well in the center and pour in ice-cold water. Bring the mixture together by hand, then turn it onto a clean surface and knead until a cohesive dough forms with no dry bits.
3. Step 3: Shape the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, stirring often, until browned. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender.
5. Step 5: Stir in garlic and ginger, then add thyme, allspice, curry powder, scotch bonnet peppers, and scallions. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring well.
6. Step 6: Pour in chicken stock and stir to combine for 1 minute. Add breadcrumbs and mix until absorbed. Stir in cubed butter until melted. If mixture is dry, add more stock to achieve a moist but not watery texture. Remove from heat and cool before assembling.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
8. Step 8: Remove dough from refrigerator and divide into equal pieces (about 5 ounces each for 8 patties). Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten with a rolling pin into 3mm thick rounds, about 6-7 inches in diameter.
9. Step 9: Place about 4 tablespoons of beef filling on one half of each round. Fold the pastry over to form a crescent and tuck or roll the edges under, then crimp with a fork.
10. Step 10: Arrange patties on the prepared baking sheet with space between them. Bake for 25-30 minutes until light golden brown.
11. Step 11: Let patties cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade Jamaican beef patties!

Tips & Variations

• Use gloves when handling scotch bonnet peppers to avoid irritation.
• Adjust the number of scotch bonnet peppers to control heat level; substitute with milder peppers if preferred.
• For a vegetarian version, swap beef with spiced lentils or mushrooms.
• Chilling the dough helps create a flakier crust, so don’t skip this step.

Storage

Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness. You can also freeze uncooked patties for up to 1 month and bake directly from frozen, adding extra baking time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it wrapped tightly in the refrigerator. This actually helps improve the dough’s texture before rolling.

What can I use if I don’t have Jamaican curry powder?

You can substitute with a mix of turmeric, coriander, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to mimic the flavor profile of Jamaican curry powder.

Jamaican Beef Patties Recipe

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Authentic Jamaican Beef Patties featuring a flaky, curried pastry filled with a savory, spiced ground beef mixture. This recipe combines traditional Caribbean flavors such as Jamaican curry powder, allspice, and scotch bonnet peppers to create a delicious and satisfying snack or meal.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 beef patties 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Jamaican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Jamaican curry powder
• 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, grated
• 1 cup ice cold water

For the Beef Filling

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef (preferably grass-fed)
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste or minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste or freshly grated ginger
• Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground Jamaican allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon Jamaican curry powder
• 1–2 scotch bonnet peppers, deseeded & finely chopped (use gloves)
• 4 scallions (green onion), chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth, plus more as needed
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions

1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt, sugar, Jamaican curry powder, and turmeric powder until evenly combined. Grate the butter over the flour mixture and use your hands to pinch the butter into the flour until it resembles small pea-sized bits coated evenly with flour.
2. Add water and form dough: Create a small well in the center of the mixture and pour in the ice-cold water. Use your hands to gradually bring the mixture together. Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead by squeezing it together until you achieve a smooth, cohesive dough with no dry patches.
3. Chill the dough: Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the butter and make the dough easier to roll out later.
4. Prepare the beef filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, until browned completely. Add the chopped onion and cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Add aromatics and spices: Stir in the garlic and ginger pastes, cooking briefly until fragrant. Add thyme, ground Jamaican allspice, additional curry powder, scotch bonnet peppers, and scallions. Cook this mixture for 2-3 minutes to let the spices bloom.
6. Moisten and bind filling: Pour in chicken stock and stir for 1 minute. Stir in breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture. Add cubed butter and stir until melted and incorporated, ensuring the filling is juicy but not watery.
7. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position a baking rack in the center and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
8. Divide and roll out dough: Remove dough from fridge and divide into eight equal pieces (about 5 ounces each). Roll each piece into a smooth ball, then flatten with a rolling pin into rounds approximately 3 millimeters thick and 6-7 inches diameter.
9. Fill and shape patties: Place about 4 tablespoons of beef filling on one half of each dough circle (2 tablespoons for smaller patties). Fold the empty side over to create a half-moon shape. Press edges together, then crimp firmly with a fork to seal. Tuck and roll edges under for a strong seal if desired.
10. Bake the patties: Arrange patties on the prepared baking sheet with space between them. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is light golden brown and flaky.
11. Cool and serve: Let the patties cool for 5 minutes after baking. Serve warm as a delicious snack or meal. Enjoy your authentic Jamaican beef patties!

Notes

• Use gloves when handling scotch bonnet peppers to avoid skin irritation.
• If beef filling is too dry after cooking, add a splash more chicken stock to keep it moist.
• Chilling the dough is important for a flaky crust and easier rolling.
• You can adjust the size of patties to make more smaller portions or fewer larger ones.
• Ground beef can be substituted with ground lamb or chicken for variation.
• Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking for even cooking.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.

Keywords: Jamaican beef patties, curried beef pastry, Caribbean recipes, savory pastries, scotch bonnet, Jamaican curry, allspice, easy beef patties