Bring the taste of the Caribbean home with this Jamaican Beef Patties recipe.
How to make homemade patty pastry with turmeric and curry powder added to give it that authentic golden colour and tasty crust.
Packed full with the best Jamaican style spicy minced beef patty filling. Cheese is optional.
Make large or mini, easy to prepare ahead of time ready to reheat. Or freeze for a tasty snack another day.
How to make Jamaican Beef Patties from scratch?
These Jamaican Beef Patties are made from scratch with lots of spices and flavour.
Follow along our step by steps to make your own Beef Patties at home.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Jamaican Beef Patties
Ingredients
Pastry Ingredients
- 250 grams (2 cups) Plain Flour (All Purpose)
- 115 grams (½ cup) Unsalted Butter
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala - substitute with any blend of curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 120 ml (½ cup) Ice Cold Water
Beef Filling
- 1 tablespoon 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 teaspoon Garlic Puree - 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon Chilli Puree - 2 medium chillies (Jalepeno/Serrano) or 1 hot chilli (Habanero/Scotch Bonnet)
- 2 teaspoon Garam Masala - substitute with any blend of curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme - substitute ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 190 ml Stock - we used 1 beef stock cube
- Grated Cheese (optional) - to add to filling
Glaze
- 1 Egg
- 2 tablespoon Water
Instructions
Pastry
- Put all Pastry ingredients (except the water) in a food processor and tap the pulse button to slowly incorporate the butter into the flour. If doing by hand rub butter into flour until it represents fine breadcrumbs, try to work as quick as possible to avoid butter melting250 grams (2 cups) Plain Flour (All Purpose), 115 grams (½ cup) Unsalted Butter, 1 teaspoon Turmeric, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
- Add ice-cold water bit by bit and knead with hands into the dough until it forms a playdoh like texture. (you may need a little less/more water than stated above) Try not to handle to much.120 ml (½ cup) Ice Cold Water
- Place pastry covered in the fridge whilst you create the beef filling.
Beef mince patty filling
- Heat oil in pan and add onions and red peppers sautee for 5 minutes until soft, add spring onions.1 tablespoon Vegetable oil, 1 Onion, 1 Red Pepper (bell pepper), 3 Spring Onions (scallions)
- Add mince, garlic, chilli, paprika, garam masala, turmeric and salt. Stir through until mince has browned1 teaspoon Salt, 500 grams (1.2lb) Beef mince, 1 teaspoon Garlic Puree, 1 teaspoon Chilli Puree, 2 teaspoon Garam Masala, 1 teaspoon Paprika, 1 teaspoon Turmeric, 1 teaspoon Salt
- Finally add dried/fresh thyme and stock. Place lid on and leave to simmer for 15 minutes whilst you cut out pastry.190 ml Stock , 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme
Create Patties
- Preheat oven to 180°C fan/ 200°C/ 400°F / Gas Mark 6.Remove pastry from fridge, flour surface and roll out very thin.
- Use a saucer/small plate (about 17cm diameter) to cut around the pastry. Re-roll remaining pastry until all used up, you should have 5-6 circles. Or you could use smaller plates and create smaller patties?!
- Now put rolled out circles on to there own bit of parchment paper and add 2-3 tablespoon of beef mixture in the middleGrated Cheese (optional)
- Use finger to dap the outer circle with water
- Fold pastry over the mince and use a fork to crimp the edges together
- Whisk egg with water and brush on pastry to glaze. For a flat pastry fork a hole in the top. For a puffed-up pastry (as I like them) leave out the hole!1 Egg, 2 tablespoon Water
- Place all completed patties on to a tray (or two) and cook in the 180°C fan/ 200°C/ 400°F / Gas Mark 6 oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Continue reading to find out more about Jamaican Beef Patties.
What is a Jamaican Patty?
Jamaican patties have a flaky crusted golden pastry, filled with a tasty spicy savoury meat filling.
They originate from Jamaica, influenced by a mix of Cornish, Indian & African cuisines.
What pastry is used for Jamaican Beef Patties?
The pastry used to make Jamaican Beef Patties is really easy to make at home.
It is a basic shortcrust pastry but with the added flavouring of Curry Powder we (use Garam Masala) and Tumeric.
As a result the spices give the patty pastry a beautiful golden colour and a super taste!
How to make pastry for patties?
Patty Pastry is easy to make at home, all you will need is flour, butter, turmeric, curry powder, salt and ice-cold water.
For the best results, use cold butter cut into small cubes.
Simply add all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse together until butter has all rubbed into the flour.
Then slowly bit by bit add the ice-cold water. Pulse through the mix until it forms a large doughy ball.
Top tip, learn from my mistakes and wear gloves during the kneading process to prevent yellow fingernails!
It is especially important to work as quickly as possible now.
Do not handle the dough too much, as it will melt the butter and ruin the pastry texture.
Use your hands to knead together until it has a playdoh like texture! It is ok for it to be sticky.
Finally, cover the pastry and store in the fridge to firm up whilst you make the beef filling.
What is inside a Jamaican Patty?
In this case, our favourite thing to fill Patties with is a spicy minced beef mixture.
Of course, there are plenty of other variations. Such as chicken, vegetables, fish, goat. For an extra treat why not add some cheese to your patty?
We will (time permitted) make some other varieties to share with you too!
How to make Jamaican Beef Patty filling?
Fry onion and the red pepper (bell pepper) gently until soft, then add spring onions (scallions) and mince.
Next, add some spices, we use Garam Masala to add spice to our beef filling.
However, you can use any curry powder blend, it gives a nice warmth to the filling.
Followed, by tumeric & paprika which gives great colour as well as good health, crushed garlic & chilli for extra flavour.
Finally, we added some fresh thyme leaves and beef stock.
During simmering, it will soak up the stock, don't be tempted to add more stock.
It needs to be fairly dry to prevent making the pastry soggy!
How spicy are Jamaican Beef Patties?
You can make as spicy as you like, simply add as many or little chilli peppers as desired?
Following these instructions here will result in a medium spiced filling.
Of course, simply add less or more chilli to make it milder/stronger.
In this case, we used 1 teaspoon of Gia Chilli Puree to add a spicy kick.
This is comparable to 2 medium spiced chillies (Serrano/Birds Eye) or 1 strong (Habaneros/ Scotch Bonnet).
Furthermore, if you use fresh chillies make sure to chop them finely.
How to assemble a patty?
First, roll out the chilled pastry to about 3mm, and cut around a saucer/small plate ours was 170mm/ 6 ½ inch.
Re-roll the leftover pastry, you should make 5-6 circles.
Place the pastry circle on baking paper and add 2-3 tablespoon of beef filling in the centre.
Use your finger to dap water around the circle edge.
How to seal the pastry on patty?
Fold the pastry over the filling to line up with the other side.
Next, using a fork, crimp the edges together.
Whisk an egg with 2 tablespoons of water and brush all over the pastry.
How to make mini snack-size versions of Jamaican Beef Patties?
To make mini snack size Jamaican Beef patties, simply use a smaller plate or a cup to cut around instead.
Put less beef filling in each one and cook for 15 minutes instead of 20. Perfect for party food or snacks!
How to cook Jamaican Beef Patties?
Transfer all the prepared beef patties onto a baking tray or a couple of trays if they won't fit?
Bake the patty in a preheated oven for 20 minutes at 180°C fan/ 200°C/ 400°F / Gas Mark 6.
Do I need to put holes in patty crust?
When cooked the heat builds up inside and will make the beef patties balloon slightly as seen in my pictures. I love them like this!
If you prefer them flat simply make a small hole in the top of the pastry before putting in the oven.
Jamaican Beef Patties are best served warm straight from the oven.
What to serve with Jamaican Beef Patties?
No need to serve with anything, they are great by themselves. Another great Jamaican recipe to serve them with is our rice and pea and fried ripe plantain.
Also great with rice salad, coleslaw, shredded red cabbage, corn on the cob, Spicy Potato Wedges or air fried chips.
How to pre-make Jamacian Patty ahead of time?
If you want to make them ahead of time, cook them all off and follow the information below to reheat when you want them.
Storing cooked Jamaican Patties?
Any leftover Patties can be stored in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for 2 months.
How to reheat a Jamaican Beef Patty?
From chilled reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C fan/ 200°C/ 400°F / Gas Mark 6 for 10-15 minutes.
Or microwave for about 2 minutes, until piping hot inside.
From frozen reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C fan/ 200°C/ 400°F / Gas Mark 6 for 20-25 minutes.
Or defrost first and follow the from chilled advice above.
Caribbean Recipe Ideas
Hope you enjoy these Jamaican beef patties as much as we do, try our Jamaican ackee and saltfish and rice and peas make a fantastic flavoursome Jamaican side dish.
Please leave us a comment and let us know how you got on?
Spicy Recipes
If you like spicy foods, why not try out our Spicy Chicken Burgers, Chicken Pathia Curry, sea bream with garlic and chilli. Or our fabulous hot chilli sauce.
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Beth says
These are amazing and so delicious! I was nervous to make these but they turned out so yummy! Can’t wait to make these again soon!
Kay says
Thanks, Beth for the comment and rating 🙂
So glad you like the Jamaican beef patties recipe!!
Enjoy in the future 😉
Shinta Simon says
Thank you for this brilliant recipe! All your tips and photos are so helpful. My son loves the beef patties we get at our local supermarket, and I think he would love these as well!
Kay says
Thanks, Shinta
Really glad you like the recipe, hope your son enjoys our recipe 🙂
Dannii says
I ate so many of these when we were in Jamaica. I am definitely going to have to try making them myself.
Kay says
Thanks, Dannii
Hope you enjoy our beef patties recipe, let us know how you get on?
Me says
Salivating just reading this. Thank you 😊🙏🏾
Kay says
Thank you for the comment, hope you enjoy the patties 🙂
flora.coleman@hotmail.com says
the same here hahahaha
Dorothy Whittenburg says
This recipe turned out perfectly which isn't always the case in food blogs. Tastes very authentic, flavor balanced, and easy to make. I added toasted cumin because I like that flavor but it's a balanced recipe without it and I've eaten a lot of these patties all over the Caribbean.
Luke says
Thanks for the comment and rating Dorothy
Really glad you liked our beef pattie recipe, it's always nice to hear great feedback 🙂
Jill says
So much flavor in these patties. They look absolutely perfect!
Dolly @ Little Home in the Making says
My mom always made me Jamaican patties for dinner when I was young, but they were of the frozen variety! I totally need to try making these on my own! The recipe sounds easy enough to try.
Claudia Lamascolo says
these sound and look absolutely delicious love those flavors!
Charla says
As a Jamaican who knows all about patties and grew up on them. These are very look superb and close to how they are made. You did your homework on this recipe, well done! I am very very impressed!
Kay says
Hi Charla
Thank you for the kind words, and coming from a Jamaican saying you was impressed with our patties, is brilliant for us and put a big smile on our faces 🙂
If you do make this recipe, Let us know your thoughts and Enjoy!!
Dannii says
I ate so many of these when I was in Jamaica. I really need to try making them myself - they look pretty easy.
Kay says
Hi Dannii
Enjoy the patties and thank you for the rating/comment 🙂
E says
I've never given a recipe a full mark. And I've never commented on one either, but this is out of this world. Thank you so much for sharing. This definitely brought me to Jamaica without leaving home.
Luke says
Thank you so much for the nice comment, and glad we are your first 🙂
It's brilliant you liked the patties and gives you Caribbean Holiday feeling 😉
Mandy says
What a fabulous recipe- love the pictures and easy instructions- very helpful indeed. Can’t wait to try my patties for dinner!! So pleased with the results and they smelt amazing whilst baking. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Luke says
Hi Mandy
Thanks for the comment, hope you liked the patties, these are our favourite, and you are right they smell soooooo gooooood when they are baking in the oven 🙂
Mandy says
They were so delicious and have made them a few more times since 😋.
Kay says
Thank you, Mandy, for that great comment and rating, it really is appreciated 🙂
So glad you like the recipe and your still making more patties!!
Enjoy;)
Sharon says
MmmmmMmmmm! Love! And thanks for the tip about wearing gloves when you make the dough - you save my french manicure. 😉
Megan Stevens says
We loved how the butter pastry looked and tasted, so special with the spices in it! Plus, easy to work with. Thank you for all the process photos which just make the whole process that much less stressful and more fun!
Cara says
Another great recipe, thank you for sharing the helpful instructions with pictures. I love how the addition of these spices in the dough creates such a vibrant color to match the delicious flavor!
Bozena says
Absolutely delicious, all family was happy! A great recipe: very well written, good instructions and tips. Thank you!
Dele Wason says
You guys must be Jamaican as this recipe is so delicious. Thank yo so much about to make my second batch