Thin, flaky and buttery yellow crust with a mighty seasoned meat filling. Make a big batch because these Jamaican beef patties will disappear fast!
Course Dinner, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine Caribbean, Jamaican
Prep Time 25 minutesminutes
Cook Time 25 minutesminutes
Total Time 50 minutesminutes
Author April Boller Wright
Ingredients
Dough
2cup all-purpose flour
1tsp salt
1/2tsp sugar
1tbsp curry powder
1/4 cup cold shortening
1/2 cup ice cold unsalted butter diced into cubes
1 1/2cup or lesswater See notes
Beef Filling
1.5lbground beef 85% Lean or less
1/2tsp Better Than Bouillon Base
1/4cup water
Salt for taste
Pepperfor taste
1 1/4tspminced, habanero or scotch bonnet is fine
1tbsp vegetable oil or more if needed
1/4cup flour
1 1/2tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2tsp curry powder
1/2tsp garlic powder
1small pinch cayenne pepper
4small pinches smoked paprika
1/2tsp onion powder
1/4tsp ground thyme or fresh
1red onion diced
2tbsp sliced green onions
2 garlic cloves minced
1egg beaten
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Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, add the flour, curry and salt and sugar and mix. Using a pastry blender or fork, cut in the cold butter and shortening. Keep blending in the butter it resembles the size of small peas. Add the water and stir until flour turns into a ball. Form a ball of dough using your hands. The dough should be sticky but not too sticky.
Place the dough into a large glass bowl and dust lightly with flour. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Cut the pastry into 8 equal parts. Flatten into a 6 inch circle. Use a bowl to make perfect round circles.
Beef Filling
In a large skillet over medium heat add 1 tablespoon of o vegetable oil. Saute the onions until softened about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic. Cook until garlic is fragrant. Set stove to medium-high heat. Add ground beef, peppers, soy sauce and all the seasonings. Using a wooden spoon chop up the beef as the beef cooks. Alternatively, you can cook the beef first then drain then add the seasonings if you like. Make sure the beef isn't chunky. No big chunks of beef allowed. Cook until browned. Drain most of the liquid from the meat leaving about two tablespoons of fat in the skillet. Return skillet to the stove and add water let it come to a quick boil add the beef base mix well then add flour. Mix well. The mixture should be a bit moist.Let the beef cool for about 30 minutes.
Add equal amounts of the beef filling to the half side of each circle of dough, leaving some room free around the edges. Brush egg wash around the edges of the flattened dough. (This will help seal the dough) Fold and seal using a fork to crimp the edges. You can use a butter knife and gently press the ends of the crimped dough to make it look neat. Poke a couple holes into the top of the patty. Add them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.Brush each patty with the beaten egg. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Serve hot or warm.
Notes
Empanada maker: If you struggle with dough, an empanada press is a game changer. It saves time and makes neat, uniform patties. Lightly flour the press before using so the dough doesn’t stick.
Adding water: Start with ¼ cup of water and add 1 tablespoon at a time as you bring the dough together. You may not need the full 1 ½ cups. If the dough feels too dry, add more water; if too wet, sprinkle in a little more flour.
Make-ahead: Assemble patties up until the baking step. Freeze unbaked patties on a sheet pan until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
Baking from fresh: Preheat the oven to 425°F, place patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Baking from frozen: Bake directly from frozen at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is heated through. Do not thaw first.