Jamaican Meatloaf and Coco Bread Recipe

Jamaican meatloaf and coco bread recipe: quite nice things to make. The meatloaf can be flavoured any way you want it. And in fact, you can use the bread dough to make callaloo loaf, ackee loaf, or a veggie loaf. The possibilities are endless.

If you go to a patty shop in Jamaica, you can’t just buy one patty and walk out! No way! You will want to try the meatloaf and also the coco bread. Then you’ll want to learn to make them yourself so I have here for you the perfect Jamaican meatloaf and coco bread recipe.

I say they are perfect because I have tested the recipe, made it several times, and this is the closest we’ve tasted to the real deal.

What are Jamaican meatloaf and coco bread?

First of all, they are not loaves, and neither do they have coco nor cocoa in. A Jamaican meatloaf is a savoury pasty made with a bread dough covering which hides a spicy and mouthwatering meat filling. The meat most commonly used is minced beef but people have been known to use other meats. There’s even a callaloo loaf and an ackee loaf.

The coco bread just has no filling. It is often used as the bread for a delicious sandwich, or to slap a patty in, if you’re feeling particularly hungry.

Here’s a picture to show you what I mean.

Ok here’s the Jamaican meatloaf and coco bread recipe you’ve come here for

For the bread mixture you will need the following:

500g flour (use strong bread flour or plain flour)

300 ml of warm water or milk

1tbsp sugar

1tbsp butter (plus a little more for spreading

14 g yeast

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl (avoid putting the yeast and salt directly together at the start.)

Make a well in the centre and add the warm liquid.

Mix together until a dough is formed

Knead the dough until soft, pliable and stretchy (about 5 mins)

Grease the bowl and place the dough in the centre. Spread a little oil or melted butter on the top of the dough, cover the bowl with cling film or a clean tea towel. Place in a warm place to rise. This should take about 45 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Leave the dough to rise and go on to make your filling.

For the filling, you will need the following ingredients

250 g ground beef

1 chopped onion

2 scallions, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 tbsp oil

2tsp curry powder

1 tsp turmeric

I scotch bonnet pepper, chopped finely

1 tsp ground pimento

1tsp thyme

2 Maggie flavour cubes (these are the best)

2tbsp tomato purée

1/2 cup water

Sauté the onion, garlic, and scallions in oil until softened.

Add the meat and continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, turmeric, curry powder, flavour cubes, pimento, and tomato purée.

Add water and give it a stir.

Cover and leave to simmer for 10 minutes

Add the breadcrumbs. Taste and adjust the flavours if necessary. Turn off the heat and leave to cool.

Now turn your attention to the dough which should be swollen and ready for the second kneading.

At this stage, your kitchen will have the smell of a Jamaican patty shop. Amazing!

Ok, are you loving the meatloaf and coco bread recipe so far?

Turn out the well-risen dough onto your work surface and flatten to get rid of the air which has puffed it up.

Knead for a few minutes and then roll out onto a lightly floured surface.

Divide the mixture into 12 pieces

Roll each piece into a circle

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius

Put two to three tablespoons of the filling mixture across the centre of each circle. Moisten the edges with a little water and then fold over to enclose the filling. Press down on the edges to seal. Pierce the tops of each meatloaf to allow hot air to escape during baking.