Spiced Jamaican Beef Patties with Turmeric Dough
Flaky golden pastries filled with a savory, spiced beef mixture, perfect as a satisfying snack or appetizer. This caribbean-inspired beef ready in about 80 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, ground turmeric, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup ice water
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 small, seeded and minced scotch bonnet pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1, beaten for egg wash egg yolk
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp ground turmeric, and 1 tsp salt. Cut in 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Gradually add 1/2 cup ice water, mixing until dough forms. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef, 1 medium finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 minced seeded scotch bonnet pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until beef browns.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp dried thyme leaves, 1 tbsp curry powder, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 1/4 cup beef broth. Simmer for 5 minutes until mixture thickens. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat and cool.
- Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 6-inch circles.
- Step 6: Place 3 tbsp beef filling on one half of each circle. Brush edges with 1 beaten egg yolk and fold over, pressing edges to seal.
- Step 7: Place patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment and brush tops with remaining egg yolk.
- Step 8: Bake for 25 minutes until golden and flaky. Let cool slightly before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Jamaican Beef Patties with Turmeric Dough take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (50 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spiced Jamaican Beef Patties with Turmeric Dough?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Jamaican Beef Patties with Turmeric Dough?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Jamaican Beef Patties with Turmeric Dough for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spiced Jamaican Beef Patties with Turmeric Dough?
Caribbean beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
