Jamaican Patties

A classic Caribbean favourite — flaky pastry filled with a rich, spiced filling. Perfect for sharing, learning, and cooking together.

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 500g plain flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp curry powder or turmeric (for colour)
• 200g cold butter or margarine
• 150ml cold water

For the filling (beef):

• 500g minced beef
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 spring onion (chopped)
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 scotch bonnet (optional, finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 beef stock cube
• 100ml water
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs

Method

1. Make the pastry

Mix flour, salt, and curry powder. Rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add cold water and bring together into a dough. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the filling

Heat a pan and cook onions, garlic, and spring onion until soft. Add minced beef and cook until browned.

3. Add flavour

Stir in thyme, paprika, allspice, pepper, and scotch bonnet (if using). Add soy sauce, ketchup, stock cube, and water. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Stir in breadcrumbs and allow to cool.

4. Assemble patties

Roll out pastry and cut into circles. Add a spoon of filling to one side, fold over, and seal edges with a fork.

5. Bake

Place on a baking tray and bake at 180°C (fan) for 25–30 minutes until golden.

Serve

Best enjoyed warm, shared with others, and made as part of a community experience.