How to Make Authentic Jamaican Beef Patties

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Uncover the exotic flavors of the Caribbean with this irresistible Jamaican Beef Patty recipe, a classic that combines a delicious ground beef filling with a delicious, flaky, golden pastry crust. This popular Jamaican street food can be enjoyed as a snack or a light meal.

This authentic Jamaican beef patty recipe lets you choose from a variety of tasty fillings, so it’s easy to make ahead of time and excellent for freezing.

Ingredients

For the Beef Filling

• 2 lb lean ground beef

• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

• 2–3 stalks escallion (green onion), finely chopped

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 Scotch Bonnet pepper, finely chopped (use gloves!)

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1/3 tsp ground allspice

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 beef bouillon cube

• 1 tbsp salted butter

• 2 tbsp ketchup

• 2½ tsp browning

• ½ cup plain breadcrumbs

• 2 cups water

• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional)

For the Pastry

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2½ tsp turmeric powder

• 2 tsp granulated sugar (brown or white)

• 1½ tsp salt

• 1 cup cold shortening

• ½ cup cold salted butter

• 1 cup ice-cold water

For the Egg Wash

• 1 large egg

• 1 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Make the Beef Filling

1. Brown the Beef:
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until nicely browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Sauté Aromatics:
   Push the beef to the sides and add onion, escallion, thyme, garlic, and Scotch Bonnet to the center. Cook, stirring, for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.

3. Season & Simmer:
   Stir everything together, then add paprika, allspice, salt, pepper, bouillon, ketchup, browning, hoisin (if using), and butter. Mix well.

4. Add Water & Cook:
   Pour in 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by half and the filling is thick and saucy.

5. Finish the Filling:
   Stir in breadcrumbs until the mixture holds together and looks moist but not wet. Remove from heat and let cool completely (this helps keep the pastry crisp).

2. Make the Pastry Dough

1. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, turmeric, sugar, and salt.

2. Cut in Fats:
   Cut cold butter and shortening into cubes. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, quickly work them into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs (pea-sized pieces are fine). If it starts to warm, pop the bowl in the fridge for a few minutes.

3. Add Water & Chill:
   Drizzle in the ice-cold water, mixing just until a shaggy dough forms (you might not need all the water). Turn onto a floured surface and knead briefly until it comes together—don’t overwork! Divide into two disks, wrap in plastic, and chill at least 30 minutes.

3. Assemble the Patties

1. Preheat Oven:
   Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Roll & Fill:
   Roll out one dough disk at a time on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch (3mm) thick. Cut out 5–6 inch rounds (use a bowl as a guide).

3. Fill:
   Place 2–3 tbsp cooled beef filling on one half of each round, leaving a ½-inch border. Fold dough over to make a half-moon. Press edges to seal, then crimp with a fork.

4. Egg Wash:
   Beat egg and water together. Place patties on the baking sheet and brush tops with egg wash.

4. Bake

• Bake 30–35 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and crisp. Cool a few minutes before serving—the filling will be piping hot!

If this Jamaican Beef Patties Recipe made your mouth water, tell everyone about it! Pin the picture below to your Pinterest board to share a bit of Caribbean magic with your friends.

Recipe Variations & Suggestions for Jamaican Patties

Vegetarian Patty: Use Jamaican Callaloo instead of ground beef for a meat-free alternative.

Cheesy Jamaican Beef Patty: Add sliced cheddar on top of the beef prior to folding the dough to make a cheesy delight.

Spicier Jamaican Beef Patty: boost the amount of Scotch Bonnet pepper for a hotter patty.

Jerk Chicken Patty: Instead of the ground beef mixture, you can use shredded jerk chicken for a unique twist.

Turmeric Substitutes: If you can’t find turmeric, you can use curry powder or a combination of both turmeric and curry powder to get the color and flavor you want.

Seafood Jamaican Patty: Add cooked shrimp or fish to the filling for a delicious seafood variation.

Sweet Potato Jamaican Patty: Instead of ground beef, use a spiced sweet potato filling to make a nutritious and delicious option.

Gluten-Free Jamaican Patty: Gluten-sensitive people can use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour in the crust.

Mini Jamaican Patties: Make smaller, bite-sized patties perfect for parties and appetizers.

Curry Goat Patty: Use tender, cooked curry goat meat as the filling for a more exotic and flavorful patty.

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