The second in a continuing series of reviews of frozen food from Dollar Tree. If you like, you may read this review of Dollar Tree dim sum.
I can’t remember the date, but I’ll never forget the day. I was a junior or senior in high school, and one day my mom took me to the Kroger near our house. Oh, I wasn’t doing that to be a “nice son” and help mom with the chores. I was doing it because my mom isn’t a “snacker”. To her a “snack” was lima beans and mayonnaise or cornbread drenched in buttermilk. Sister and I could only get Little Debbies, Hot Pockets, microwave popcorn, and all the other tasty junk food we wanted as teens when I went to the store with my mom. She almost never bought Twinkies or Fritos by herself.
It was while mom was looking at the meat counter that I spied them. In one of those “casket freezers”, I spotted “Tower Isles Spicy Jamaican Beef Patties”. They looked good, so I got a box. And, a few days later, I fell in love. The spicy, curry-infused meat filling, the tumeric-laden crust… it was all good!.
One bad thing about moving to Charlotte was that the only place I could find Jamaican beef patties was on the other side of town in a Caribbean specialty store. But then, one glorious day, I found that my local Walmart carrying them! $2. 58 for a box of two patties! And after about a year or two, my local Dollar Tree finally got a freezer section and sold them for just $1 each!
Heating them up is easy. There is a “crisper sleeve” on the inside of the package that lets you heat them up in the microwave for two minutes. You can also put them in a 375F oven for sixteen to twenty minutes. I prefer using a conventional oven because I like my patties crispy. It’s worth the wait, I think.
I normally get beef patties, but this time I decided to get two beef and two chicken. They’re also very tasty. But I don’t know if Golden Krust’s “spicy” beef patty is less spicy than Tower Isles’ or if I’m just used to spicy foods and can handle them that well, but they’re not spicy enough for me. I often drown them in my homemade West Indies Hot Sauce. You know what? I like the chicken ones too! They’re not nearly as spicy as the beef ones, but they taste great with curry! curry!.
For those who like to pick holes: I usually buy four patties (as shown in the pictures), but I only eat three for dinner most of the time. The fourth one is a leftover for snacks. So it’s still a “$3 dinner”.
Golden Krust is a popular Jamaican fast food chain known for its addictive beef patties. With their flaky golden crust and spicy savory filling, these patties are a favorite for good reason. While you can’t replicate the exact recipe at home you can come close with the right techniques. In this article, I’ll share my tips for making delicious homemade Golden Krust-style beef patties.
An Overview of Golden Krust’s History and Beef Patties
Golden Krust was founded in 1989 in the Bronx, New York by Lowell Hawthorne a native of St. Andrew Jamaica. Hawthorne wanted to bring a taste of his homeland to the U.S. through Jamaican beef patties. These handheld pockets of spicy ground beef in a pastry shell originated in Jamaica but were also popular street food in New York City.
Golden Krust started as a single retail store but soon expanded into a franchise operation. Today there are over 120 Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill restaurants across the United States. Their patties can also be found in grocery stores throughout the country.
While Golden Krust offers chicken and vegetable patties too, their beef patties are by far the most popular menu item. Their filling contains seasoned ground beef, onions, carrots, raisins, and Scotch bonnet peppers for heat. The pastry shell is made with all-purpose and whole wheat flours for great texture and flavor.
Tips for Making the Pastry Shell
The pastry shell for Golden Krust-style beef patties starts with a basic dough of flour, butter, baking powder, salt, and cold water. Here are some pointers for success:
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Use a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour for complexity of flavor. A ratio of 3 parts all-purpose to 1 part whole wheat works well.
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Work the dough sparingly to avoid overworking the gluten. You want a tender, flaky crust.
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Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This allows the gluten to relax.
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Roll the dough fairly thin, about 1/8 inch. Thinner pastry bakes up flaky.
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Use a round cutter slightly larger than your patties to cut the dough into circles. Re-roll scraps to maximize pastry yield.
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Egg wash the circles before baking for golden color.
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Partially pre-bake the pastry shells before adding the filling for a crisper crust.
Tips for Making the Savory Filling
The filling is what makes Golden Krust patties special. For authentic flavor, keep these tips in mind:
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Use 80/20 ground beef for the right ratio of fat to lean. The fat keeps the beef moist and tender.
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Finely dice the onions for an even texture throughout the filling.
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Sauté the onions until caramelized before adding to the raw beef. This deepens their flavor.
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Add raisins and finely diced carrots for hints of sweetness.
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Scotch bonnet peppers are traditional, but you can adjust the heat level by using less or substituting jalapeños.
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Season the filling boldly with thyme, allspice, brown sugar, and black pepper.
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Allow the filling to cool completely before assembling the patties for neater results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now let’s walk through the entire homemade Golden Krust beef patty process from start to finish:
Make the Pastry Dough
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Stir together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup whole wheat flour, 1 1⁄2 tsp baking powder, and 3/4 tsp salt.
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Cut 6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter into small cubes and work into the flour using a pastry blender or your fingers until mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
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Add 1/3 – 1/2 cup ice water, 1 Tbsp at a time, mixing just until incorporated.
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Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll Out the Pastry
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Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin. Roll chilled dough into a large rectangle about 1/8 inch thick.
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Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut out circles of dough. Re-roll scraps and repeat.
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Place circles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in fridge 10 minutes.
Parbake the Pastry Shells
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 Tbsp water for the egg wash.
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Brush tops of dough circles with egg wash. Use a fork to prick holes across the surface.
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Bake for 7 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool completely on pan.
Make the Savory Filling
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In a skillet, sauté 1 cup diced onion in oil over medium heat until softened and browned, about 10 minutes.
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In a large bowl, combine sautéed onions with 1 lb ground beef, 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup diced carrots, 1 minced Scotch bonnet pepper (or less to taste), 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp allspice, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
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Mix thoroughly with your hands until well-combined.
Assemble the Patties
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Scoop 2-3 Tbsp of filling into the center of each pastry circle.
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Fold pastry over filling and crimp edges with a fork to seal.
Bake the Patties
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Place assembled patties seam side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes at 400°F until golden brown.
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Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
And that’s it! With a bit of time and effort, you can create Jamaican-style beef patties at home that rival those from Golden Krust. Adjust any spices to your taste, and enjoy these handheld meat pies for lunches, snacks, or appetizers. Just be prepared for requests for your recipe once people get a taste!
FAQs About Making Golden Krust Beef Patties
What type of beef is best for the filling?
Ground beef with an 80/20 lean to fat ratio works best. The higher fat content keeps the beef moist and tender after baking.
Can I use butter or shortening instead of beef fat?
Stick with beef fat for the most authentic flavor. Buttering or shortening does not provide the same richness.
What if I can’t find Scotch bonnet peppers?
Substitute 2-3 jalapeños or 1-2 habanero peppers. Adjust the quantity based on how spicy you want the filling.
Should I bake or fry the assembled patties?
Baking is healthier and more practical for home cooks. Frying makes the pastry extra crisp and flaky but requires more oil.
Can I freeze beef patties after baking?
Yes, they freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in a 350°F oven.
With a well-stocked pantry, some simple ingredients, and a little work, you can make Jamaican beef patties at home that will transport your taste buds to the Caribbean. What are you waiting for? Fire up your kitchen and bite into tender, spicy, meaty perfection.
