Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (2024)

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Homemade Jamaican Beef Patty Recipe

These authentic Jamaican beef patties are so easy to make, taste so good and are the perfect on the go snack. Packed full of flavour and spice; you won’t be able to resist this!

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4.88 from 8 votes

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (1)

Who doesn’t love a Jamaican beef patty? It’s a savoury Caribbean treat that’s completely irresistible.

It’s a snack I grew up eating, I would always buy it from my local Jamaican takeaway for the most delicious, authentic and original patties. They taste so good, and you can make these Jamaican beef patties at home, it’s so easy to do with this recipe!

Both the beef filling and pastry is pretty easy to make, you’ll make distinctively yellow patties that are totally irresistible.

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (2)

What Is A Jamaican Patty?

If you’ve never tried a Jamaican patty before, then you’re really in for a treat! Caribbean patties are a type of fast food in Jamaica, and you can almost certainly get them in any UK Jamaican takeaway shop.

It’s a golden buttery flaky pastry that’s filled with a tasty and spicy filling.

The type of filling inside the patty varies, some popular flavours are beef, lamb, saltfish and a veggie version. With this recipe you’ll make a ground beef filling, the pastry remains the same no matter what filling you use.

Why Are Jamaican Beef Patties Yellow?

The addition of turmeric and curry powder turn the Jamaican patty pastry yellow. You don’t have to add both turmeric and curry powder, both individually provide the distinctive yellow sunshine glow.

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (3)

What Pastry Is A Jamaican Patty Made Of?

The pastry used to make Jamaican patties is a shortcrust pastry.

Making pastry can be a little bit scary at times but this flaky and buttery Jamaican pastry dough is actually pretty easy to make.

If you have a food processor, then making the dough will be very simple and done in a matter of seconds. I made the dough by hand which you’ll see in the video below.

Watch How To Make It

How To Make Authentic Jamaican Patties

Below is a step-by step guide on how to make easy Jamaican beef patties. Full recipe instructions are on the recipe card at the bottom.

How To Make Pastry For Patties

To make the Jamaican patty dough you’ll simply need plain flour, curry powder, turmeric, butter, baking powder, milk and salt. If you don’t have milk, you can use water instead.

Step One:

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (4)

Pour plain flour into a large mixing bowl and add a tablespoon each of curry powder, turmeric, baking powder and a teaspoon of salt. Mix until evenly distributed.

Then add cubes of butter into the mixing bowl and rub-in until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Step Two:

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (5)

Pour half of the milk into the mixture and mix together before pouring the remaining half bit-by-bit mixing each time.

Use your hands to bring the dough together. Then place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, you can use this time to prepare the filling.

Sprinkle more flour if necessary.

Top Tip: It’s so important to work quickly with the dough and not to handle it with your hands too much. You don’t want to melt the dough as you’ll get less of a flaky texture.

How To Make The Jamaican Patties Beef Filling

Time to make the filling! This stage involves frying the filling ingredients together.

Step Three:

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (6)

Pour the minced (grounded) beef into a large mixing bowl and add a tablespoon of smoked paprika, onion powder, all purpose seasoning, garlic powder and black pepper. Mix together until evenly distributed.

Step Four:

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (7)

Add oil to a pan and heat on a high heat. Fry the garlic, onions, spring onions, ginger, thyme and scotch bonnet for 2 to 3 mins.

Step Five:

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (8)

Add the minced beef meat into the frying pan and stir continuously, add a tablespoon of smoked paprika, onion powder, all purpose seasoning, garlic powder and black pepper.

Continue to fry for 2 to 3 minutes before adding 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, ketchup and a tablespoon of browning sauce.

Leave to simmer for 5 minutes with the lid on, then continue to stir for 2 to 3 minutes breaking any clumps with the back of your wooden spoon.

Top Tip: Browning sauce is used to help create the traditional dark brown filling colour; you don’t have to add it in if you don’t want too.

Some Jamaican patty fillings can be quite paste-like, to create this effect simply blend the mixture for just a few seconds. Careful not to blend it for too long, you don’t want it to be a smooth paste!

How To Assemble A Patty

Step Six:

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (9)
Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (10)

Flour your work surface and roll out the pastry using a rolling pin, cut out circle shapes using a bowl (or plate). Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the beef filling to the lower centre of the pastry.

Make an egg wash by whisking an egg and use it to coat the edge of one half of the pastry.

Fold over the pastry and press the edges together with your fingers. With a fork, dip it in flour and press down to create the authentic patty crimped edges.

I used a bowl with an 18″ diameter to cut out circle shapes.

Step Seven:

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (11)

Coat the pastry with an egg wash and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

What Do You Serve With Jamaican Beef Patties?

You can eat patties by themselves, but you can also make a meal out of it with these side dishes below:

  • Fried Plantain
  • Macaroni Cheese
  • Coleslaw
  • Coco Bread
  • Roti
  • Hardo Bread
  • Chips

How To Store And Reheat Jamaican Patties

Patties are best eaten fresh but you can keep them in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days stored in an airtight container. If you don’t plan on eating them straight away, leave them to cool down before placing in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To reheat, simply place in the microwave and heat until piping hot throughout, you can also place them in the oven for around 15 minutes at 180°C.

To reheat from frozen, leave the patties to defrost before placing in the oven or microwave. If you are heating the patties from frozen, then it’s best to heat in the oven for at least 25 minutes.

How To Make Ahead Of Time

If you want to make these Caribbean patties ahead of time, simply make the recipe up to 3 days in advance and reheat in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to eat it.

You can also make the pastry in advance and freeze it for later use. When you are ready to make this dish, defrost the pastry in the fridge overnight. Once the pastry has defrosted, follow the recipe instructions to make the filling.

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (12)

My Top Tips

Careful With Turmeric: Turmeric is well known for staining! Avoid wearing white or super light colours when using turmeric as it can easily stain your clothes.

Use Cold Butter: Keep your butter cold, cold, cold! The colder the better, keep your butter in the fridge before using it so that it can be as cold as possible. This will help give the pastry a flaky texture.

Flour Your Cutter: Whatever you use to make circle shapes in your pastry, make sure you flour it before using it. This will help to prevent the pastry sticking to it.

Equipment Needed

Below is a few vital equipment needed to make these beef patties:

  • Baking Tray: Needed to bake the Jamaican patties in the oven.
  • Mixing Bowls: To make the Jamaican patty dough and mix beef mince with seasonings.
  • Basting Brush: To seal the patties with an egg wash before crimping it with a fork and to do the egg wash.
  • Food Processor: You can use a food processor to make the pastry or do it by hand. If you use a food processor, simply add all the ingredients apart from milk and blend until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Then add milk (or water) little by little until a dough has formed.
  • Parchment Paper: To line your baking tray and to prevent the patties from sticking to the trays.

Recipe FAQs

Are Jamaican patties gluten free?

Jamaican patties typically contain gluten due to the use of plain flour to make the pastry. To make a gluten-free alternative make sure to use gluten-free flour when making the pastry.

What is the difference between Jamaican beef patties and empanadas?

Jamaican beef patties and empanadas are similar but differ slightly in cooking method and taste. Jamaican patties are more yellow in colour and are baked in the oven whereas empanadas are a Spanish dish that is usually fried.

Can you eat Jamaican patties cold?

Yes, you can eat Jamaican patties cold but traditionally in Jamaica they’re eaten freshly baked and warm from the oven.

Is Jamaican patty fried?

No, Jamaican patties are baked in the oven and not fried.

More Easy Pastry Recipes To Try:

  • Bacon And Cheese Turnovers
  • Cheese Twists

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (13)

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties)

Michelle

Here's how to make authentic Jamaican beef patties with this easy recipe. This patty recipe is the best ever and is so tasty.

4.88 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course lunch, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Jamaican

Servings 8 Patties

Calories 644 kcal

Ingredients

Pastry

  • 450 g Plain Flour
  • 227 g Butter Block Butter
  • 1 tbsp Curry Powder
  • 1 tbsp Turmeric
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Baking Powder
  • 300 ml Milk
  • 1 Egg For Egg Wash

Beef Filling

Instructions

  • Pour plain flour into a large mixing bowl and add a tablespoon each of curry powder, turmeric, baking powder and a teaspoon of salt. Mix until evenly distributed.

  • Add cubes of butter into the mixing bowl and rub-in until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

  • Pour half of the milk into the mixture and mix together before pouring the remaining half bit-by-bit mixing each time.

  • Use your hands to bring the dough together. Then place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, you can use this time to prepare the filling.

  • Pour the minced (grounded) beef into a large mixing bowl and add a tablespoon of smoked paprika, onion powder, all purpose seasoning, garlic powder and black pepper. Mix together until evenly distributed.

  • Add oil to a pan and heat on a high heat. Fry the garlic, onions, spring onions, ginger, thyme and scotch bonnet for 2 to 3 mins.

  • Add the minced beef meat into the frying pan and stir continuously, add a tablespoon of smoked paprika, onion powder, all purpose seasoning, garlic powder and black pepper. Continue to fry for 2 to 3 minutes.

  • Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, ketchup and a tablespoon ofbrowning sauce and mix until evenly distributed.

  • Leave to simmer for 5 minutes with the lid on, then continue to stir for 2 to 3 minutes breaking any clumps with the back of your wooden spoon.

  • Flour your work surface and roll out the pastry, cut out circle shapes using a bowl (or plate). Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the beef filling to the lower centre of the pastry.

  • Make an egg wash by whisking an egg and use it to coat the edge of one half of the pastry. Fold over the pastry and press the edges together with your fingers. With a fork, dip it in flour and press down to create the authentic patty crimped edges.

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (gas mark 4, 350°F). Coat the pastry with an egg wash and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Video

Notes

Scotch Bonnet pepper is hot, please use to your taste and wash your hands after handling them.

Nutrition

Calories: 644kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 21gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 1004mgPotassium: 494mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1756IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 6mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @MyMorningMocha or tag #mymorningmocha!

Music in video from Uppbeat, License code: 08VBCZFHCZBZDBBY

Authentic Jamaican Patty Recipe (Flaky Beef Patties) - My Morning Mocha (2024)

FAQs

What is the shell of a Jamaican patty made of? ›

Among the Jamaican diaspora in the United Kingdom, the pastry is more like that of a suet crust and often made with butter or margarine, which provides the flaky pastry, and curry powder containing turmeric, which provides the yellow colour.

What is Jamaican patty dough made of? ›

For the dough: all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, Jamaican curry powder, turmeric powder, grated butter, and ice-cold water. For the beef filling: olive oil, ground beef, onion, garlic, ginger, salt/pepper, thyme, Jamaican allspice & curry powder, scotch bonnet pepper, scallions, chicken stock, breadcrumbs, and butter.

Why are Jamaican beef patties so good? ›

The spices came about from a melding of flavors in Jamaica. The East Indian indentured servants of the colonials added cumin and curries and enslaved Africans gave depth with the addition of cayenne pepper. The Jamaican beef patty gets its firecracker flavor from the Scotch bonnet hot pepper local to Jamaica.

What makes Jamaican patties yellow? ›

A Jamaican patty (for those who don't know) is a delicious, flaky, meat-filled pastry. The dough is made with turmeric and curry powder, both of which are bright yellow in color. That's why patties look like this… Jamaican patties are golden in colour due to the Turmeric spice being added to the dough.

What is the red dot on Jamaican patties? ›

Conventionally, patties are marked with a colored dot on the crust to indicate the filling: No dot: ground beef. Red dot: Spicy ground Beef. Green dot: vegetables (often not vegetarian, containing animal suet, tallow, and/or other animal ingredients; vegetarians must inquire whether recipes are suitable for their diets ...

What is the best patty in Jamaica? ›

Juici Patties is one of Jamaica's largest pattie fast food chains with a whopping thirty years of experience baking the tasty Jamaican delight. Famous for their distinctive taste and made from the finest ingredients Juici Patties is arguably the market leader in Jamaican patties.

Why are Jamaican beef patties orange? ›

Jamaican beef patties are yellow: the yellow comes from the turmeric and curry powder. You can use either, but I prefer to use both. This is a recipe for Jamaican beef patties, so obviously, I will be using minced beef, but you can use other meats or even fish.

What is the difference between Haitian and Jamaican patties? ›

The Haitian pastry is fluffier, resembling a puff pastry in composition. The meat is flavored with a fragrant but lightly seasoned mixture of herbs and aromatics like onions and garlic. Meanwhile, the Jamaican version is denser and richer flavored, with spices kneaded through the pastry.

Can you eat Jamaican beef patties for breakfast? ›

They're highly nutritional and flavourful, meaning you could eat a Jamaican Patty for breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack at any time in between whether you're at home or even at work.

Should Jamaican patty be hot or cold? ›

Instructions: Whilst you can eat this patty cold, in Jamaica we prefer to eat our patties warm straight from the oven! For best results ovenbake from chilled: Remove all packaging and heat in the oven for 15-20 mins at 180°C (350°F) or gas mark 4.

What is the difference between Jamaican patties and Cornish pasty patties? ›

The Cornish pasty was brought to the Caribbean by British colonists and was enhanced by by the African and Indian people of the Caribbean. The Jamaican patty is typically filled with beef, but can also be filled with vegetables or other meats, and varies in spiciness.

What do jamaicans call beef patties? ›

Jamaican Beef Patties (Aka Meat Pies or Pasties)

What can you add to a Jamaican beef patty? ›

What Can You Add to Jamaican Patties?
  1. Queso dip: There are many sauces that go well with Jamaican patties. ...
  2. Coco bread: This combination is very popular with Jamaicans. ...
  3. Roti: Another way to incorporate a “bun” into your Jamaican patty is by adding roti to your meal.
Apr 5, 2022

What is Jamaican patty crust made of? ›

The beef patty is made from a pie crust which is traditionally made from shortening and beef suet but can also be made with butter if that is all you have on hand. The filling is flavoured with typical Jamaican ingredients like all spice and scotch bonnet and simmered to perfection.

What are patty shells made of? ›

INGREDIENTS: FLOUR (WHEAT), MODIFIED PALM AND CANOLA OIL MARGARINE (SOYBEAN), WATER, SEA SALT.

What are frozen patty shells? ›

Patty shells are available as frozen unbaked shells that may be pre-formed or as flat circular-shaped disks ready to be shaped for baking. They are also made as cup-shaped baked versions that can be found in a bakery section or on the shelf in packaged containers.

What is smash patty made of? ›

They're minced beef and salt, smashed flat over a searingly hot flat-grill until you get a crispy, craggy-edged, asymmetric, cooked-through patty that's juicy, caramelised, beefy and, frankly, the best burger you're ever going eat.

What is in a stuffed Jamaican patty? ›

"Jamaican patty stuffed with a savory blend of seasoned meat or vegetables, enveloped in a flaky, golden crust. Inside, layers of crisp lettuce, creamy cheese, and juicy tomatoes provide a fresh and satisfying crunch.

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