Jamaican Beef Patties Recipe

Introduction

Jamaican Beef Patties are a flavorful and spicy pastry filled with seasoned ground beef, perfect for a snack or meal. Crispy, golden, and packed with aromatic spices, these patties are a delicious taste of Caribbean cuisine you can easily make at home.

Ingredients

• 250 grams (2 cups) Plain Flour (All Purpose)
• 115 grams (½ cup) Unsalted Butter
• 1 tsp Turmeric
• 1 tsp Garam Masala (or any curry powder blend)
• 1 tsp Salt
• 120 ml (½ cup) Ice Cold Water
• 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 1 Red Pepper (bell pepper), finely chopped
• 3 Spring Onions (scallions), finely chopped
• 500 grams (1.2 lb) Beef mince
• 1 tsp Garlic Puree (about 2 cloves garlic)
• 1 tsp Chilli Puree (or 2 medium chillies like Jalapeño/Serrano, or 1 hot chilli such as Habanero/Scotch Bonnet)
• 2 tsp Garam Masala (or curry powder blend)
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Turmeric
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Fresh Thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
• 190 ml Beef Stock (1 beef stock cube dissolved)
• Grated Cheese (optional, to add to filling)
• 1 Egg
• 2 tbsp Water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the pastry by placing all ingredients except the water into a food processor. Pulse to combine the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. If doing by hand, rub the butter into the flour quickly to avoid melting.
2. Step 2: Slowly add the ice-cold water bit by bit and knead the mixture by hand until it forms a playdough-like dough. Be careful not to overwork it. Wrap and place the dough in the fridge while preparing the filling.
3. Step 3: Heat vegetable oil in a pan and sauté the onions and red pepper for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the spring onions and cook for a minute more.
4. Step 4: Add the beef mince, garlic puree, chilli puree, paprika, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Stir well and cook until the mince browns.
5. Step 5: Add thyme and beef stock, cover with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes while you prepare the patties.
6. Step 6: Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / 400°F / Gas Mark 6.
7. Step 7: Remove pastry from fridge, flour your surface, and roll out the dough very thinly. Use a plate or saucer (around 17 cm diameter) to cut out circles from the pastry. Re-roll any scraps to make 5-6 circles total.
8. Step 8: Place each pastry circle onto its own piece of parchment paper and add 2-3 tablespoons of the beef mixture in the center. Optionally add grated cheese to the filling.
9. Step 9: Lightly dampen the edges of the pastry with water using your finger.
10. Step 10: Fold the pastry over the filling to create a half-moon shape and press the edges together. Crimp edges firmly with a fork to seal.
11. Step 11: Whisk the egg with water and brush this glaze over the patties. For a flat top, poke a hole with a fork; for a puffier top, leave it sealed.
12. Step 12: Place the patties on baking trays and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and crisp.
13. Step 13: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then serve and enjoy your homemade Jamaican Beef Patties!

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, reduce or omit the chilli puree and use paprika for color and mild spice.
• Add grated cheese to the filling for a deliciously cheesy twist.
• Use smaller pastry circles for bite-sized patties, perfect for parties or snacks.
• Make extra filling and freeze for quick future meals.

Storage

Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes to restore crispiness. You can also freeze uncooked patties for up to 1 month; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-made pastry instead of making my own?

Yes, you can use store-bought puff pastry or shortcrust pastry as a shortcut. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor might differ slightly from traditional Jamaican beef patties.

What can I substitute if I don’t have garam masala?

If you don’t have garam masala, curry powder or a blend of ground coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves will work well to give a similar warm, spiced flavor.

Jamaican Beef Patties Recipe

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4.7 from 134 reviews

This Jamaican Beef Patties recipe features a flavorful curried beef filling encased in a flaky, turmeric-infused pastry. With layers of spices like garam masala, paprika, and fresh thyme, these savory pies bring authentic Caribbean taste to your kitchen with a homemade dough and a perfectly baked golden crust.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 5–6 patties 1x
• Category: Savory Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Jamaican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pastry

• 250 grams (2 cups) Plain Flour (All Purpose)
• 115 grams (½ cup) Unsalted Butter
• 1 tsp Turmeric
• 1 tsp Garam Masala (or substitute with any blend of curry powder)
• 1 tsp Salt
• 120 ml (½ cup) Ice Cold Water

Beef Filling

• 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 Onion (Finely Chopped)
• 1 Red Pepper (bell pepper) (Finely Chopped)
• 3 Spring Onions (scallions) (Finely Chopped)
• 500 grams (1.2lb) Beef mince
• 1 tsp Garlic Puree (or 2 cloves of garlic minced)
• 1 tsp Chilli Puree (2 medium chillies like Jalapeno/Serrano or 1 hot chilli such as Habanero/Scotch Bonnet)
• 2 tsp Garam Masala (or any curry powder blend)
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Turmeric
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Fresh Thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
• 190 ml Beef Stock (equivalent to 1 beef stock cube dissolved in water)
• Grated Cheese (optional, to add to filling)

Egg Wash

• 1 Egg
• 2 tbsp Water

Instructions

1. Make the Pastry: Place the plain flour, unsalted butter, turmeric, garam masala, and salt into a food processor. Pulse gently to incorporate the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. If doing by hand, rub the butter into the flour quickly to avoid melting.
2. Add Water and Knead Dough: Slowly add the ice-cold water bit by bit and knead the mixture with your hands until it forms a pliable, playdough-like texture. You may need slightly less or more water. Handle the dough as little as possible to keep it tender.
3. Chill the Pastry: Wrap the pastry dough and refrigerate, covered, while preparing the beef filling. This resting period firms up the butter for flakiness.
4. Prepare the Beef Filling: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and red bell peppers; sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Add spring onions and stir through.
5. Cook Mince and Spices: Add the beef mince, garlic puree, chilli puree, paprika, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Stir frequently and cook until the mince is browned evenly.
6. Simmer with Thyme and Stock: Add fresh or dried thyme and beef stock. Cover the pan with a lid and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 15 minutes for flavors to meld and liquid to reduce.
7. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pastry Circles: Preheat the oven to 180°C fan (200°C conventional/400°F/Gas Mark 6). Remove pastry from fridge and lightly flour a surface. Roll out very thin and use a 17cm diameter saucer or small plate to cut out pastry circles. Re-roll scraps to make 5-6 circles total.
8. Fill and Shape Patties: Place each pastry circle on its own piece of parchment paper. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of beef filling into the center. Moisten the edges with water, fold the pastry over the filling to create a half-moon shape, and press edges with a fork to seal tightly.
9. Apply Egg Wash: Whisk egg with water and brush the mixture over the pastry surfaces to give a glossy golden finish once baked. Optionally, pierce a small hole in the center with a fork for a flat pastry or leave unpierced to allow puffiness.
10. Bake Patties: Arrange the patties on baking trays and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden brown.
11. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from oven, cool slightly, and serve warm as a delicious snack or meal accompaniment.

Notes

• Use ice-cold water when making the pastry to keep the butter from melting for a flakier crust.
• You can vary the chilli level according to your spice preference by choosing milder or hotter chillies.
• Grated cheese can be mixed into the beef filling for a richer flavor if desired.
• Ensure the beef filling is not too wet before filling the patties to avoid soggy pastry.
• Store any leftover patties in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.
• These patties can also be frozen uncooked; bake straight from frozen adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Keywords: Jamaican beef patties, Caribbean pastry, curried beef pies, homemade beef hand pies, spicy beef patties