Jamaican Beef Patties
Jamaican Beef Patties. Spicy, flavorful beef stuffed in an amazing, easy buttery dough. They come together quickly and fly off the table even faster. Simply delicious comfort food!
Making your own pastry can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Trust me, it’s a breeze if you have a food processor. And even if you don’t, you only have to sacrifice a few more minutes.
What’s not to love about Jamaican meat patties? They’re the real MVP of all meat pies because they’re snackable anytime. Besides, saying no to these goodies is impossible, especially with a flaky, buttery crust and a tasty meaty filling. Just talking about it makes me drool.
Spoiler alert: It’s spicy, mouthwatering, and highly addicting! 😋
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Content… Spicy Jamaican Beef Patty Recipe |
Spicy Jamaican Beef Patty Recipe
Jamaican meat patties are a beautiful yellow color from turmeric and creamy butter. The spicy beef filling enjoys curry powder, cumin, garlic, onions, hot pepper, allspice, thyme, paprika, and curry. If you’re a heat lover, add diced scotch bonnet pepper to the filling.
How to Make Jamaican Beef Patties
Make the Crust
- 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 4-5″ large-mouth glass or bowl, 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)
- Ground Beef – 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 and brushing with an egg wash.) (Photos 15-16)
- Bake – Carefully arrange the patties on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve hot or at room temperature, and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Tomato Sauce – Add a sweet and tangy flavor base to the meat filling.
- Add Veggies – You can’t go wrong with diced bell pepper, carrots, potatoes, green beans, and corn.
- 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.
- Cheesy Beef Patties – Enjoy an enticing cheese pull by adding your favorite cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Gruyere, to your filling.
Tips and Notes
- Keep your dough as cold as possible for easy shaping and a tender-flaky-buttery dough.
- Avoid overworking the dough so the butter won’t completely blend into the dough.
- Freeze any leftover meat mixture to use for another time.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Frozen Jamaican beef patties make a quick and easy snack; assemble them and freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer. After they freeze for about an hour, store them in a freezer ziplock bag until the craving hits. Bake the patties directly from frozen in a 375℉/190℃ oven for about 30 minutes. Another reason to make them ahead.😉
If you have leftover meat patties (highly doubtful), you can refrigerate them for 3 days in an airtight container. You can also wrap them 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.
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. Plantain chips and coleslaw are classics.
More Savory Pie Recipes to Try
- Tomato Pie
- Shepherds Pie
- Aloo (Potato) Pie
- Meat Pie (Tourtiere)
- Vegan Pot Pies
- Ground Beef and Potato Casserole
By Imma
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
Jamaican Beef Patties
Ingredients
Patty Crust
- 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons (24g) sugar
- ½ tablespoon (9g) salt
- ½-2 teaspoons (1-6g) turmeric
- 5 ounces (140g) unsalted butter
- 5 ounces (140g) shortening
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup (236ml) ice water
Beef Filling
- 1 tablespoons (15ml) cooking oil
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon (3-4g) granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon (3g) paprika
- 1 teaspoon (2-3g) allspice
- 1 teaspoon (2-3g) curry powder
- 1 teaspoon (2g) dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon (2-3g) white pepper
- 2 teaspoons (5g) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (4g) chicken bouillon powder (optional, or replace with salt)
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- ¼ cup (30g) bread crumbs
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons (7-8g) parsley, chopped (optional)
- ½ scotch bonnet pepper, chopped (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Patty Crust
- Mix flour, sugar, salt, 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.
- Place the dough on a well-floured surface. Divide it evenly into two parts and roll them out.
- 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.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to use.
Meat Pie Filling
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan. Add the onions, garlic, paprika, allspice, curry powder, thyme, white pepper, chili powder, and chicken bouillon. Saute for about 2 minutes.
- Add meat and breadcrumbs and continue cooking for 10 minutes or more, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Then add about ½ cup of water.
- Finally, add green onions and parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool.
Assembly
- Preheat the oven to 375℉/190℃.
- 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.)
- Carefully arrange the patties on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes.
- Serve warm, and enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
- You can freeze the assembled beef patties and bake them later.
- Keep your dough as cold as possible for easy shaping and a tender-flaky-buttery dough.
- Avoid overworking the dough so the butter won’t completely blend into the dough.
- Freeze any leftover meat mixture to use for another time.
- Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Great recipe as always..I do know that people put breadcrumbs in the patties.
There are many recipes for diabetics so there is no need to feel slighted.If people would watch their diet & eat smaller portions the risk of diabetes would decrease. Patties are certainly a welcome addition to be eaten as a treat. Keep up the great work with your blog & continued success 🙂
Thank you so much San!
Thus recipe has made me so happy!!! My husband is from Zimbabwe and lives for years in the Cayman Islands where we met. I made these last night and we devoured them! Even my kids love them! They taste so authentic and are so easy to make. Making dough is my Achilles heel, I’ve never been successful. This is the first and only time I’ve nailed it. Thank you! I look forward to making more of your recipes!
High Five!!! So happy to hear when the whole family enjoys it . Thanks for taking the time to share this with me.
Happy Cooking!!!
Hello, I am a little confused, I used to live in NYC and ate many Jamaican patties. I never heard of putting BREAD CRUMBS in it. Another thing why would you use shortening to cook the onions etc. when the hamburger meat makes it’s own grease.??? There are people who are diabetic and may feel a little slighted since the recipe has things in it that would make their sugar go up. Why not invest in recipes for them since the number of them are increasing in this country!!!
Hi Tara!
The shortening is not for the onions, it’s for the dough. You can sub with butter.
As a diabetic I don’t get slighted regarding a recipe that uses ingredients I am not supposed to eat. I either make substitutions or I simply move on and find a different recipe. If someone can’t eat breadcrumbs then they certainly shouldn’t be eating something wrapped in dough.
It always bothers me when people come to someones page, and instead of commenting on the pros or cons of a recipe, or even worse, when they haven’t even tried the recipe, they are critical, and complain about things that have nothing to do with the recipe at all. Tara should at least try the recipe, or if it is not what she is looking for, at least keep her negative feelings to herself. I think your page is wonderful. I have not tried to make these yet, but I am going to since your other recipes are so good, for example, the Braised Chicken in Coconut Milk. Delicious.
Awesome recipe!!! I tried an actual Jamaican beef patty recipe from my Jamaican friend and let me tell you how your recipe by far is more authentic, delicious and easy to prepare! if I could give you any advice its to please keep up the fabulous work! I already gave your recipe to 10 co-workers and 3 of them are Jamaican.
WooHoo! Thank you so much Lizzy. You are too kind!
Shortening
How much is 5 oz of shorting
5 oz of butter
Can you potatoes in the meat filling?
You sure can.
Hi when I was 20 years old I was living with my aunt in phillidafia was my first time trying it. Very good. I don’t have a food processor. Is there another way I can make my dough.
You can use a Cake mixer, or do it by hand.
Just finished eating these amazing patties!! Thankyou so much they are lush!!
How and I make my meat not too spicy I’m not a spicy fan but my boyfriend is he Jamaican so he will be okay but maybe I’ll add a little spicy kick in it I won’t mine I have try beef patty and most of them there very spicy my eyes cryies and my mouth burn very bad and I start coughing which what’s not good so I end up didn’t eat anything but I love meat with pie not the spicy part lol please let me know what can I do so it will be even for both of us
Just omit the cayenne pepper and DO NOT include scotch bonnet pepper. This what I do sometimes. Cook the beef and divide in half. In one half I add cayenne pepper to make it spicy hot , maybe scotch bonnet depending on preference. Cayenne pepper gives it enough heat . So it’s ok to use cayenne pepper only. Then I assemble . Make sure you are able to differentiate between the two after baking . This way everyone can eat to their hearts desire. Happy Cooking!!!
It was my birthday on 8/24 and I decided to do all Jamaican cuisine I prepared brown stewed chicken, rice and beans along with cabbage it was my intent to purchase beef patties but I couldn’t find the mini patties so I made these beef patties and they were a hit, my whole dinner was awesome now all my friends are asking me to make them for them. Thank you so much Imma I’m on your site daily trying something delicious.
Happy Belated Birthday Nancy! So happy everything worked out well for you. Thank you so much for giving my recipes a try and for the feedback.
Please can i use margarine in place of butter?
They look yummy and thanks for the recipe.
You sure can.
Hi just wanted to know if I leave out the shortning can I substitute with something else eg more butter ? As I am Struggling to find any shortning in the uk? Any suggestions, or maybe there could be a alternative shortning in the uk which I haven’t heard of.
Thanks
Just replace with butter.
Shortening is any other solid fat. E.g. lard, margarine, etc., A lard/butter mix makes beautiful, very light and crumbly pastry! Lard has been used in pastry since time immemorial and tends to produce a lighter pastry than all-butter.
Can you use store dough (Pillsbury) ?
I do not have a food processor or mixer.
The texture would be different but it’s still going to do the Job. Try not to stuff it too much.
I mixed the dough by hand (using a spoon, then fork, then my hands) with no problems. Don’t use store-bought dough, it will spoil the authentic taste!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing Michele!!!
Thank you for this recipe! Been making or for a year for my family and it’s my husbands favorite dish! I use 1/2 hamburger and 1/2 ground sausage ( that’s what we had on hand the second time and everyone raved about it!). Thank you for making me a culinary star in my family! 🙂
My pleasure!!! Nothing makes me smile more.
Looking forward to making this this weekend! Thank you! Lovely blog.
Thanks Caroline. Do let me know how it works out for you.
Imma, these look so good. Curious, can these patties be made with seafood filling? I was thinking about shrimp . I’m trying ground turkey filling tonight.
Thanks girl. I have never tried it with shrimp. So cannot say with certainty. Might just have to create another version with shrimp. Ground turkey sounds great!!!