Jamaican Beef Patty

Content… Spicy Meat Patties Recipe Ingredients How to Make Them Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Savory Pie Recipes to Try Conclusion Watch How to Make It

Spicy Jamaican Beef Patties

Jamaican meat patties are distinctive from others, like this African meat pie, because they boast a yellowish color from tasty turmeric and creamy butter. The beef filling is heavily spiced with cumin, garlic, onions, hot pepper, allspice, thyme, paprika, and curry, differentiating itself from the rest.

The beef filling is Immaculately spiced. If you can tolerate the heat, then by all means, add some to the filling. I added ½ a teaspoon of chili pepper to make it spicy but not overly hot.

Also, you can replace the shortening in the crust and use butter only for a more flavorful dough. However, vegetable shortening is easier to work with.

Recipe Ingredients

Pie Crust

1. Flour – All-purpose flour is the key element for the crust.
2. Flavoring – Salt, sugar, and turmeric (with its almost gingery taste) enhance the flavor and give your patties a gorgeous yellow color. 
3. Fat – Super cold shortening and butter (frozen is even better) creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
4. Liquids – Ice-cold water and vinegar keeps the dough tender for an airy texture, moist crumb, and incredible flavor. 

Beef Filling

1. Ground Beef – The star ingredient for the meat pie filling. But you can use ground pork or chicken for a switch out.
2. Seasonings – Curry, onion, garlic, paprika, allspice, dried thyme, white pepper, chili powder, parsley, and green onion spice the meat up. Scotch bonnet pepper is optional for that beautiful heat.
3. Chicken Bouillon Powder – For additional meat essence and rich umami flavor. 
4. Bread Crumbs – This ingredient acts as a binder and keeps the meat from packing together in a hard lump. Yes, you can use gluten-free bread crumbs if you prefer.

How to Make Jamaican Beef Patties

Make the Crust

• Combine – Mix flour, salt, sugar, and turmeric in a food processor or by hand, and blend well. Add the butter, and shortening, followed by vinegar and water in small amounts, pulse until combined, and the dough holds together in a ball. (Photos 1-4)
• Roll – Place the dough on a well-floured surface. Divide it evenly into two parts and roll them out. (Photos 5-6)
• Shape – Using a large-mouth glass or bowl, about 4-5″, cut out circles by gently pressing the dough and releasing it, shaping the meat patty dough. Continue cutting out circles until they’ve all been cut. (Photos 7-8)
• Chill – Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to use.

Make the Filling

• Saute – Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a saucepan, followed by onions, garlic, paprika, thyme curry, chili powder, white pepper, allspice, and chicken bouillon. Saute it for about 2 minutes.(Photos 9-11)
• Add Meat and Breadcrumbs and continue cooking for 10 or more minutes, frequently stirring, to prevent burning. Then add about ½ cup of water. (Photo 12)
• Adjust Flavor – Finally, add green onions and parsley and adjust for salt and pepper seasoning. (Photos 13-14)
• Cool – Remove from the heat and let it cool.

Assemble 

• Fill – Scoop a heaping tablespoon of filling into each circle, and brush with egg white around half of the circle. Fold over and twist with fingers gently to seal the edges of the meat pie. (Another way of sealing is by pressing the tines of a fork along the edges of the dough.) (Photos 15-16)
• Bake – Carefully arrange the patties on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes.
• Serve warm, and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

1. Tomato Sauce – Add a sweet and tangy flavor base to the meat filling. 
2. Add Veggies – You can’t go wrong with diced bell pepper, carrots, potatoes, green beans, and corn.
3. Meaty Swap – You can also use any ground meat you prefer, such as ground chicken or pork, for a savory patty with a lighter flavor. If you want a healthier option, try an all-veggie filling with carrots, peas, potatoes, and more.
4. Cheesy Beef Patties – Enjoy an enticing cheese pull by adding your favorite cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Gruyere, to your filling.

Tips and Tricks

1. Keep your dough as cold as possible for easy shaping and a tender-flaky-buttery dough.
2. Avoid overworking the dough, so the butter won’t completely blend into the dough.
3. Freeze any leftover meat mixture to use for another time.

Make-Ahead Instructions

These addictive pastries are great for any celebration because you can make them ahead of time and freeze them until the day of the event. Place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer, freeze for about an hour, then remove and place them in a freezer ziplock bag or container. And you can take them straight from the freezer to the oven.

Serving and Storage Instructions

If you have leftover meat patties (highly doubtful), you can refrigerate them for 3 days in an airtight container. You can also wrap it with plastic or aluminum foil and freeze them for up to 2 months.

Reheat meat patties in a 350℉/177℃ oven, air fryer, or toaster oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through. The microwave works, but the crust won’t crisp up.

FAQs

What to Serve With Jamaican Beef Patties

Enjoy them on their own for snacks, or turn them into meals by adding simple yet delightful side dishes such as those below.

1. Plantain Chips
2. Roti
3. Easy Cole Slaw
4. Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob
5. Roasted Vegetables
6. Tossed Salad

More Savory Pie Recipes to Try

1. Tomato Pie
2. Shepherds Pie
3. Aloo (Potato) Pie
4. Meat Pie (Tourtiere)
5. Vegan Pot Pies

Conclusion

Making your own pastry can be super easy, and the beef filling is spicy and satisfying. Have you tried this deliciousness yet? Please comment below on how it went.

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”Rbin77ml” upload-date=”Mon Aug 06 2018 19:57:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Jamaican Meat Pie (Jamaican Beef Patty)” description=”Jamaican Beef Patty  – Spicy flavorful beef stuffed in an amazing  super easy buttery dough.Comes together quickly and flies off the table. Simply Delicious!!!”]

This blog post was originally published in August 2016 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.