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    "Home" » Pastry

    Guyanese Beef Patties

    Published: Sep 8, 2017 · Modified: Mar 23, 2022 by Althea Brown · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Guyanese Beef Patties are delicious short crust pastry meat pies. They are part of the trinity of Guyanese pastries, that include cheese rolls, pine tarts and of course these beef patties. They are most often sold by snackettes and bakeries in Guyana and by some street vendors as a lunch or snack.

    pile of beef patties in a white bowl with brown trim

    When I was growing up in Guyana my really good friend's mom made the best beef patties. Hi Mrs. Alexander! They were saucy. You bit into them and juicy, tender, minced beef and flaky pastry fell into your mouth! I LOVED those beef patties. The secret to juicy patties is in the filling. That's what I've created here with these beef patties, a saucy filling and flaky crust.

    Jump to:
    • Making the pastry dough
    • Making the Filling
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Making gluten free Beef Patties
    • Variations
    • Printable Recipe Card

    Making the pastry dough

    The dough for beef patty is the same short crust pastry dough used for cheese rolls, pine tarts and cheese pies.  To make the dough I grate cold butter and cut shortening into the flour to make a really crumbly texture.

    Flour and grated butter in a glass bowl with a fork

    Then, I add ice cold water and press the mixture together to form a ball.

    mixing pastry dough by hand in a glass bowl
    pastry dough on a white counter

    Next, place the dough in a ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

    pressing down pastry dough in a ziplock freezer bag with brown hands

    Making the Filling

    Guyanese beef patty filling is made with ground beef and most often the addition of mixed vegetables like carrots, green peas (sometimes bora / Chinese long bean) and corn. Use whatever veggies you would like to add or skip them all together.

    a gray pot filled with meat filling with a wooden spoon resting in it

    Step by Step Instructions

    First, divide the dough into two. Place half back into the refrigerator while you work on the other half. Roll the dough out until it is about ⅛th to ¼ inch thick. Then cut into discs using biscuit cutter, or you can even use the rim of a glass. I used a medium and a large biscuit cutter to get a top and bottom pastry layer.

    circles of pastry dough

    Then add 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling to the bottom layer and top with the larger disc.

    discs of pastry dough, some filled with meat filling

    Then press down to seal

    fingers pressing the dough togetheere

    You can create a crimped edge by pressing the edge with a fork.

    pressing the pastry dough with a fork

    Then use the smaller biscuit cutter to neaten the edges.

    shaping the beef patty with a biscuit cutteer

    Next, poke a few holes in the top to release hot air during baking.

    a beef patty on a counter being pierced with a fork

    Then place on a greased baking sheet. You can also place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

    Beef patties on a tray before baking

    Finally, brush with an egg wash and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes

    Tray of beef patties and brown hand brushing an egg wash over the pastries

    After baking allow to cool completely before eating. The filling inside the patty may be extremely hot, so be careful.

    Making gluten free Beef Patties

    To make these patties gluten free, simply use my gluten free short crust pastry dough recipe found here. I promise you it tastes exactly the same, without the tummy ache.

    Gluten Free Short Crust Pastry

    Variations

    You can use this recipe to make other versions of Guyanese patties:

    • Chicken: Use ground chicken or steamed and shredded chicken breast
    • Turkey: Looking for a leaner meat option, ground turkey also works
    • Vegetarian: You can use ground meat alternatives here too, or I love to make these with chopped up mushrooms and all the same seasoning.

    Printable Recipe Card

    pile of beef patties in a white bowl with brown trim

    Guyanese Beef Patties

    Althea Brown
    A savory hand pie made with short crust pastry and filled with minced beef and vegetables.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs
    Course Pastry
    Cuisine Guyanese
    Servings 10

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups of All Purpose flour
    • 1 cup butter (chilled in the freezer for about 30 minutes)
    • ¼ cup vegetable shortening
    • ½ cup ice cold water

    • 2 egg yolks +1 tablespoon water beaten

    For the filling

    • ½ lb of ground beef
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 wiri wiri pepper seeds and veins removed
    • 1 tablespoon casareep
    • 2 tablespoons ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon thyme fresh or dried
    • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
    • ¼ cup chicken/vegetable broth or water

    Instructions
     

    Making the dough

    • Add flour to a large mixing bowl, followed by salt and mix together well. Then grate chilled butter using the shred side of a cheese grater into the flour
    • Using a pastry blender or fork blend the butter into the flour but do not over blend, leaving little bits of butter creates a really flaky texture. Then add the vegetable shortening and combine until it is fully mixed and crumbly
    • Add the ice water a little at a time and press the flour together to form a dough ball. Do not knead the dough as this will remove the flaky texture
    • Place in a ziplock bag and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

    Making the filling

    • Add ground meat to a hot skillet or sauté pan on medium heat and cook until all of the pinkness in the meat is gone
    • Add garlic powder, onion powder, cassareep, ketchup, pepper and salt and cook for about 5 minutes
    • Add chicken broth and thyme and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat.
    • Let cool completely before adding to the pastry dough

    Assembling the Patties

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F
    • Remove pastry dough from the refrigerator and and divide into two, returning half to the refrigerator while you work on your patties
    • Working with the remaining half, roll the dough out until it is ⅛ th inch thick, then using a circular mold (hand pie or biscuit cutter) cut 12 circles that are about 2 ½ to 3 inches in diameter (bottom of the patties) and 12 circles that are 3 to 3 ½ inches in diameter (tops for the patties). You may need to cut 12 circles first then press the dough back together and roll it out and cut the other 12 circles
    • Next add about 1 ½ tablespoons of meat filling to the center of each bottom piece of dough. Then brush the perimeter of the disk with water and then place the second disk on top.
    • Then using a fork seal the edge of the patty and then pierce the top to allow air to escape during cooking
    • Place on a greased baking sheet, repeat these steps with the remaining dough
    • Brush the patties with the egg wash and bake in 350 °F oven for 20-25 minutes (or until golden brown), then remove and let cool before serving.

    Notes

    1. Do not knead the dough the way you would when making bread, just press it together with your hands to make a ball.
    2. The biscuit cutter I used to make my dough disks in 3 inches in diameter, but you can use anything that it about that size. 
    3. I don't use mixed vegetables in my patty filling because I don't like the flavor the string beans adds but feel free to use mixed vegetables versus just carrots and green peas.
    4. I add pepper to my patties for the flavor. Removing the veins and the seeds removes the heat of the pepper. For a spicier beef patty I've also added pepper sauce in the past. Add as much or as little heat as you like.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robin says

      September 08, 2017 at 3:53 pm

      This looks great. However I am also GULTEN sensitive. Have you tried making a version with GULTEN free flour.

      Reply
      • Althea Brown says

        September 08, 2017 at 4:14 pm

        I haven't Robin. I'm some what of a purist when it comes to my Guyanese food. I want it to taste how I remember it growing up. I am however, also working on a gluten free page for my blog. Coming soon. Maybe I should try making gluten free pastries for that section.

        Reply
    2. Tina says

      September 08, 2017 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      This is the recipe I have been waiting for ! will be trying this with my kids this weekend 🙂

      Reply
      • Althea Brown says

        September 08, 2017 at 4:12 pm

        Yay! Let me know how it turns out.

        Reply
    3. mary says

      September 08, 2017 at 8:39 pm

      I have made them before with some mushroom soup concentrate instead of chicken broth, it gives a creamier filling. I once had patty pans, it is so much work cleaning them. would love to give them away but can't find a taker.
      Have you ever tried natural factors gluten relief enzymes? I can't live without it, best thing since sliced bread.

      Reply
      • tracy says

        May 15, 2021 at 8:19 pm

        5 stars
        There are non stick patty pans, I have them. Its a breeze to clean. I tried this recipe. They came out great. delicious. Thank you!!!!

        Reply
    4. Kay says

      September 25, 2017 at 3:52 pm

      I love your blog and the pictures are great. I can not wait to try making these patties. thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Althea Brown says

        September 25, 2017 at 4:31 pm

        Thank you. I hope you try them soon.

        Reply
    5. Mirella says

      January 01, 2021 at 9:15 am

      5 stars
      The dough came out raw. Probably because I didn’t roll it thin enough. 😞

      Reply
      • Althea Brown says

        January 01, 2021 at 9:17 am

        That’s a first. How think did you roll it? Also did it get brown when baking? Maybe your oven temperature was a bit off?

        Reply
    6. tracy says

      May 15, 2021 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      They sell non stick patty pans, I have them. Its a breeze to clean. I tried this recipe. They came out great. delicious. Thank you!!!!

      Reply
    7. Sarika says

      February 19, 2022 at 2:15 pm

      5 stars
      OMG. I have been searching for a good pastry recipe and I finally found it! I made chicken patties and my son (who is picky) ate 2!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 27 Traditional Guyanese Foods - Insanely Good says:
      December 31, 2021 at 8:44 am

      […] 25. Guyanese Beef Patties […]

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    Hi, I'm Althea! I have a real passion for cooking, especially traditional Caribbean recipes with deep roots! I was born and raised in Georgetown, Guyana and now live in Denver, Colorado with my husband and 3 kids. I am a Whole30 Certified Coach and love sharing wholesome remixes to traditional Guyanese and Caribbean dishes.

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