Jamaican Beef Patties
Jamaican Beef Patties have a unique flavor that you won’t find in any other cuisine in the world with turmeric to give it that Caribbean color. I used to buy beef patties in a little Jamaican spot when I was a college student on a budget. They reminded me of empanadas, only a lot spicier! When I went to Jamaica, I made it a point to try them every chance I could. You can see more of my ground beef recipes here.
This authentic Jamaican beef patty recipe is modified from the Original Flava cookbook (affil link). When I got my hands on this cookbook, everything looked SO good that I didn’t know where to start. It has the classics like ackee ‘n’ saltfish and curry goat and Caribbean favorites such as garlic butter lobster and trini doubles. But for some reason, I found myself coming back to these beef patties, and I am so glad I did! Even though beef patties are baked and not fried, the original recipe was not exactly light. So, I made a few minor tweaks, taking out the lard or shortening completely and using leaner ground beef. I also made them slightly smaller, so I got 12 from the recipe instead of 10. They turned out great!
Tips
Wear gloves when handling the peppers – they are very spicy. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth after touching the peppers. Wear gloves when working with the turmeric as the yellow color will stain your hands. Chilled butter is the secret to a flaky crust.
Variations:
Beef is the most popular patty filling in Jamaica, but you can definitely switch it up. Season any of these options with the same spices:
Spicy chicken Spicy shrimp Spicy veggies (e.g., spinach, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots)
Freezer Friendly: Make the patties and freeze them uncooked up to three months. You can bake them frozen – just add a little more time.
More Jamaican Recipes You’ll Love:
Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken Slow Cooker Jerk Pork Jamaican Coconut Shrimp Stew Jamaican Red Beans and Rice
