Jamaican Beef Patties

Jamaican Beef Patties

Golden, flaky, turmeric-tinted pastry wrapped around a boldly spiced ground beef filling — these iconic Jamaican patties are a street food staple you can make right at home. Scotch bonnet pepper, allspice, and thyme give the filling its unmistakable Caribbean heat and aroma, while a buttery, shortening-enriched crust shatters with every bite. Perfect for a crowd, a lunchbox, or a festive Caribbean spread.

8 servings · Prep 45 min · Cook 30 min · Total 105 min

Caribbean · Lunch · Snack

Pastry Crust

  • 2.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp turmeric for color
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes
  • 0.25 cup vegetable shortening cold
  • 0.5 cup ice water added gradually

Beef Filling

  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 whole scotch bonnet pepper seeded and finely minced (use half for less heat)
  • 3 stalks green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.75 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup beef broth low sodium
  • 0.5 cup plain breadcrumbs to absorb moisture and bind filling
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Assembly

  • 1 large egg beaten, for egg wash

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Pot
  • Fork
  • Pastry Cutter
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Measuring Cups
  • Rolling Pin
  • Pastry Brush
  • Whisk
  • Jelly Roll (10x15)
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
  • Dipping Fork

Instructions

  1. In a large #[Mixing Bowl], whisk together the @[All-Purpose Flour], @[Turmeric], and @[Salt] until evenly combined — the @[Turmeric] gives the crust its signature golden hue. Add the cold cubed @[Butter] and @[Vegetable Shortening]. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the fat into the @[All-Purpose Flour] until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. Drizzle in @[Ice Water], ~[1 tablespoon] at a time, mixing gently with a fork after each addition, until the dough just comes together and holds when pressed. Do not overwork it. Shape into a flat disc, wrap in #[Plastic Wrap], and refrigerate for ~[at least 30 minutes].
  2. Heat the @[Vegetable Oil] in a large #[Skillet] over ^[medium-high heat]. Add the diced @[Yellow Onion] and cook, stirring occasionally, for ~[3–4 minutes] until softened. Add the @[Garlic], @[Scotch Bonnet Pepper], and @[Green Onions] and cook for ~[another minute] until fragrant. Add the @[Ground Beef], breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned all over, ~[about 5–6 minutes]. Drain any excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in the @[Thyme], @[Allspice], @[Smoked Paprika], @[Black Pepper], and @[Salt]. Pour in the @[Beef Broth] and stir to combine. Reduce heat to ^[medium-low] and simmer for ~[5 minutes] until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the @[Breadcrumbs] to bind the filling and absorb any remaining moisture — the mixture should be moist but not wet. Remove from heat and let cool completely before filling the pastry.
  4. Preheat your #[Oven] to ![375°F] and line a #[Baking Sheet] with #[Parchment Paper]. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ⅛-inch thickness. Cut out circles approximately 6 inches in diameter (use a bowl or large round cutter as a guide) — you should get about 8 circles. Place ~[2–3 tablespoons] of cooled filling on one half of each circle, leaving a ½-inch border. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape and press the edges firmly together. Crimp the sealed edge with a fork to ensure a tight seal. Brush the tops with beaten @[Egg] wash.
  5. Arrange the assembled patties on the prepared #[Baking Sheet], spacing them ~[about 1 inch] apart. Bake at ![375°F] for ~[25–30 minutes], until the pastry is golden and cooked through. Let cool for ~[5 minutes] before serving — the filling will be very hot inside.