If you’ve never sunk your teeth into a Jamaican spicy beef patty, you’re seriously missing out. These golden, flaky pastries are filled with a rich, well-seasoned ground beef mixture that’s both spicy and savory—the kind of flavor explosion that makes your eyes light up. Whether you’re grabbing one from a street vendor in Kingston or pulling a tray out of your own oven, there’s something downright addictive about them. This isn’t just your average meat pie; this is a bold, unforgettable meat patties recipe that doubles as one of the best beef patty dinner ideas around.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make authentic Jamaican spicy beef patties at home—from the turmeric-tinted crust to the peppery, juicy filling. We’ll also include plenty of helpful notes for substitutions, prep tips, and even ideas on how these patties can be used in hamburger patty meals or as a twist on classic homemade burgers patties.
Jamaican Spicy Beef Patties with Flaky Pastry
Prep Time 45 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Caribbean, Jamaican
Servings 10 large patties
Large skillet For browning the beef and building the filling.
Mixing bowls One for the dough, one for assembling ingredients.
Pastry cutter or food processor To blend the butter into the flour. If you don’t have either, two forks will work in a pinch.
Rolling Pin For rolling out the dough. A wine bottle can substitute if you’re improvising.
Baking sheet Lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Pastry Brush Optional, for brushing water around the edges to help seal the patties.
Knife or pastry wheel To cut the dough into circles.
For the Pastry Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric for color and slight flavor
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- ½ cup ice water plus more as needed
- 1 tsp white vinegar
For the Spicy Beef Filling
- 1½ lbs ground beef 80/20 is ideal for juiciness
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 scallions green onions, chopped
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper seeded and finely minced (use gloves!)
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- 2 tbsp plain breadcrumbs helps absorb extra moisture
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Make the Pastry Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar, and turmeric. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir the vinegar into the ice water and add slowly to the flour mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together—don’t overwork it.
Divide the dough in half, flatten each into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Spicy Beef Filling
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, scallions, garlic, and Scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté until fragrant and soft, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
Stir in thyme, allspice, paprika, cayenne, ketchup or tomato paste, and season with salt and pepper. Add the beef broth and breadcrumbs. Reduce the heat and let simmer until the mixture thickens but remains moist, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Assemble the Patties
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out one of the chilled dough discs on a floured surface to about ⅛ inch thick. Cut into 6-inch circles using a bowl or large round cutter. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cooled beef mixture onto one half of each dough circle.
Brush the edges lightly with water, fold the dough over the filling, and press the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
Place patties on the baking sheet. For a glossier finish, brush the tops lightly with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water), though this isn’t traditional.
Bake
Bake the patties in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Pairings
Jamaican spicy beef patties are rich and flavorful, so pair them with something that balances out the heat and spice:
- Coconut rice and peas: The creamy coconut milk and mild kidney beans mellow out the Scotch bonnet’s fire.
- Fried plantains: Sweet, caramelized, and golden—perfect for contrast.
- Simple green salad: A lemony vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the beef.
- Tamarind or mango chutney: A little sweet and tangy dip to add another layer of flavor.
- Sorrel drink or ginger beer: Traditional Caribbean drinks that enhance the whole experience.
These patties also make great hamburger patty meals if you serve the filling inside a bun or with mashed potatoes and gravy—almost like a deconstructed version of beef patties with gravy.
FAQs
1. Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes, you can. Ground turkey or chicken makes a lighter version, though you might want to add a bit more oil and seasoning since these meats are leaner. The texture won’t be quite the same, but it's still delicious.
2. What type of beef is best for this recipe?
Use ground beef with some fat content—80/20 is ideal. It makes the filling juicy without being greasy. You don’t want it too lean or it’ll turn out dry. If you're a fan of hamburger patty recipe homemade versions, that same blend works great here too.
3. Can I freeze these patties?
Definitely. You can freeze them unbaked—just assemble, place on a tray in the freezer until firm, then store in a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5–10 minutes to the cook time.
4. What’s a good shortcut if I don’t want to make pastry from scratch?
Store-bought pie crust or puff pastry can work in a pinch. Just be aware that the flavor and texture will be different. The homemade crust gives that iconic flaky yet tender bite.
5. Can I make mini patties for parties?
Absolutely. Just cut smaller dough circles (about 3–4 inches), use less filling, and reduce the baking time to around 15–20 minutes. These make excellent party snacks or appetizers under the category of cheap dinners for a family when served with a simple salad.
