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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
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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.