Description
This Jamaican beef patty recipe features a vibrant, flaky turmeric crust enveloping a savory, spiced ground beef filling. It offers a hearty and flavorful meal, perfect for family dinners or impressive meal prep, bringing authentic Caribbean warmth to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup (113g) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
- 1.5 tsp ground turmeric
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup (120ml) ice cold water, plus more if needed
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper, finely minced (seeds removed for less heat; or swap for 0.5 habanero or a pinch of cayenne)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp allspice
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.25 cup (25g) plain breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup (120ml) low sodium beef broth (or water + a bouillon cube for deeper flavor)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 Tbsp water (optional, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Make the Sunshine Turmeric Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, turmeric, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut it in using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Gradually add the ice-cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Avoid overworking it. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes; this helps relax the gluten and keeps the butter cold for a flakier crust. (If the dough feels too dry and crumbly, add 1-2 more teaspoons of cold water until it forms a cohesive ball.)
- Prepare the Savory Beef Filling: In a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and Scotch bonnet pepper (if using) to the skillet, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the thyme, allspice, and paprika, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Simmer and Thicken the Filling: Stir in the breadcrumbs and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the filling is thick enough to hold its shape. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the filling cool slightly.
- Assemble the Jamaican Beef Patties: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Divide the chilled dough into 8 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 6-inch (15cm) circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Place about 0.25 cup of the cooled beef filling on one half of each circle, leaving a small border. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges tightly with a fork to seal, ensuring no filling can escape during baking.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the assembled patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For extra shine, brush the tops of the patties with the egg wash (if using). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is beautifully golden brown and lightly puffed up. The kitchen will smell incredible!
Notes
Dough can be made in a food processor for quicker preparation. Beef filling can be prepped a day or two ahead and stored in the refrigerator. For richer flavor, add a pinch of curry powder to the beef filling. Brush baked patties with melted butter for an extra glossy finish. To make gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty (180 g)
- Calories: 400 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Jamaican, beef patty, turmeric crust, family-friendly, meal prep, easy dinner, spiced beef, flaky, Caribbean