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Authentic Jamaican meat pie recipe served warm with flaky crust

Jamaican Meat Pie Recipe

This authentic Jamaican meat pie recipe features flaky golden pastry filled with juicy, perfectly spiced beef. These bakery-style Jamaican beef patties are freezer-friendly and better than store-bought.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
For the Beef Filling

Equipment

  • Food processor: to pulse the dough and evenly distribute cold butter for a flaky crust
  • Large mixing bowl (optional): for combining dough if using the hand method
  • Pastry cutter (optional): for cutting butter into flour if not using a food processor
  • Large skillet: to cook and season the beef filling
  • Wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula to break up and stir the meat
  • Rolling pin: to roll the chilled dough evenly
  • 5 to 6 inch round cutter or small bowl: to cut uniform pastry circles
  • Baking sheet: to bake the patties
  • Parchment paper or silicone mat: to prevent sticking and promote even browning
  • Small bowl: for egg wash
  • Fork: to crimp and seal the edges
  • Cooling rack: to cool patties and keep the bottoms crisp

Method
 

Make the Dough (Food Processor Method)
  1. Add flour, salt, sugar, curry powder, and turmeric to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 2 to 3 times to combine.
  2. Add cold butter and shortening. Pulse 8 to 12 times until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with visible pea-sized butter pieces. Do not over-process.
  3. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in ice water just until the dough begins to clump into large clusters. Stop immediately once it starts coming together.
  4. Turn dough onto a clean surface and gently press into a disk. Do not knead.
  5. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.
Alternative: Hand Method
  1. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Cut in cold butter and shortening using a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Stir in ice water just until dough forms. Press into a disk and chill as directed.
Make the Filling
  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef until browned, breaking it into fine crumbles. Drain excess grease if needed but leave a small amount for flavor.
  2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Stir in grated garlic and Scotch bonnet. Cook 1 minute.
  4. Add curry powder, Jamaican seasoning, and salt. Stir well.
  5. Mix in tomato paste and cook until slightly darkened.
  6. Add Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Simmer until thickened but not soupy.
  7. Stir in breadcrumbs to bind. Remove from heat and cool completely before assembling.
Assemble the Patties
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 5 to 6 inch circles.
  3. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons filling slightly off center.
  4. Fold into a half-moon shape. Seal edges firmly and crimp with a fork.
  5. Brush tops lightly with egg wash. Poke a small steam hole if desired.
Bake
  1. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden and crisp.
  2. Cool slightly before serving.

Video

Notes

Shortcut pastry Option:
If you do not want to make homemade dough, you can use store-bought pie crust. Choose a refrigerated roll-out pie crust rather than frozen pie shells for best results.
Roll slightly thinner than packaged instructions suggest and cut into 5 to 6 inch circles before filling.
Keep in mind the color will not be as golden since traditional Jamaican patties get their signature yellow hue from turmeric in the dough. You may brush with egg wash for deeper color.
Recipe Notes:
  • For maximum flakiness, freeze butter cubes for 10 minutes before pulsing.
  • Do not over-process the dough. You should still see visible butter pieces.
  • Always cool the filling completely before assembling to prevent soggy pastry.
  • For extra heat, leave some Scotch bonnet seeds or add a pinch of cayenne.
  • Make ahead: Freeze assembled unbaked patties. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 35 to 40 minutes.
  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze baked patties for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat in oven or air fryer to restore crisp texture.
  • Nutrition (per serving, 12 servings): 430 calories, 26g fat, 33g carbs, 17g protein, 2g fiber. Nutrition information is an estimate. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.