Jamaican Beef Patties: Spicy, Flaky, Island Vibes

Jamaican beef patties are the Caribbean’s answer to the empanada. Spicy. Flaky. Golden. Grab one and go.

Turmeric-tinted, buttery crust. Savory, spicy ground beef inside. Baked until golden. 1 hour. Jamaica in every bite.

Ingredients

Makes 8 patties.

For the Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ¼ cup cold water
• 1 tbsp vinegar

For the Beef Filling:

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp Jamaican curry powder
• 1 tsp thyme
• ½ tsp allspice
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs (optional, for binding)

For egg wash: 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Crust

1. Whisk flour, turmeric, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
2. Add water and vinegar. Mix until dough forms. Wrap and chill 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. Heat oil. Cook onion, garlic, ginger until soft (3 minutes).
2. Add ground beef. Cook until browned. Drain fat.
3. Add curry powder, thyme, allspice, pepper, salt, and cayenne. Cook 1 minute.
4. Add broth and ketchup. Simmer 5 minutes until thickened. Stir in breadcrumbs if needed. Cool.

Step 3: Preheat and Roll

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheet with parchment.
2. Roll dough to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into 8 circles (about 6 inches wide).

Step 4: Fill and Seal

1. Place ¼ cup filling on one half of each circle. Fold over. Press edges with a fork.
2. Brush with egg wash. Cut small slits for steam.

Step 5: Bake

1. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot.

Summary

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Chill: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: ~1.5 hours

Yield: 8 patties

Difficulty: Medium

Storage Notes

Fridge:

Store baked patties for 5 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer.

Freezer Friendly:

Freeze unbaked patties for 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 30-35 minutes.

Pro Tip:

Jamaican curry powder is key. Different from Indian curry. Find it online or in Caribbean stores.