Jamaican patties

Spiced meat pastries

Jamaican patties are savory pastries with a flaky, golden-yellow crust encasing spiced meat filling, traditionally seasoned beef.

The distinctive color comes from turmeric or annatto in the dough.

Chicken, vegetable, and other fillings are common variations.

Often eaten as street food or a quick lunch, they're a staple of Jamaican cuisine and Caribbean diaspora communities: We grabbed beef patties from the shop on Flatbush.

Caribbean

Kingston

Caribbean nation's capital

patois · jerk seasoning · ackee · saltfish · rum · carnival · Rastafari · street vendor · beach · tropical

filling

ground beef

Chopped cattle flesh

saltfish · ackee · callaloo · cheese · soy · lentil · oxtail · shrimp · goat · mixed vegetables

spice

scotch bonnet

Lantern-shaped tropical chile

turmeric · ginger · garlic · scallion · habanero · pimento · cayenne · black pepper · cumin · paprika

pastry

flaky

Crumbly or unreliable

layers · hand pie · turnover · baked · crispy · puff · laminated · shortcrust · shell · wrapper

eating

handheld

Designed for palm use

sandwich · takeaway · fast food · convenience · portable · quick bite · deli · bakery · food truck · cafeteria

Opposites
culinary origin/cultural identity

Jamaican pattiesCornish pasties

Folded pastry with filling

pierogi · samosas · empanadas · meat pies · dim sum

sweet vs. savory pastries

Jamaican pattiesapple turnovers

Folded pastries with fruit filling

Danish pastries · Pop-Tarts · cream puffs · cinnamon rolls

Family

Jamaica, Jamaican, patty, patties

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G