Sambusa
Crispy, golden, and bursting with flavor, sambusas are the ultimate handheld snack that brings a taste of East African and Middle Eastern traditions right to your table. Perfectly seasoned ground beef is blended with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric, and brightened with the fresh, zesty notes of cilantro and optional green chili for a hint of heat. Wrapped in delicate dough or spring roll wrappers and fried to perfection, these triangular pastries boast a delightful crunch that encases the savory filling. Whether served as a party appetizer or a comforting side dish, sambusas pair beautifully with tangy chutneys, creamy yogurt dips, or bold, spicy sauces. Easy to make in just under an hour, this recipe is a must-try for lovers of global cuisine and flavorful street food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams Ground beef
- 1 medium Onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoons Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 1 small Green chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 20 sheets Spring roll wrappers or homemade dough sheets
- 3 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 0.25 cup Water (for sealing wrappers)
Instructions
Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned and crumbly, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Continue cooking until the onion softens, approximately 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and green chili (if using). Cook for another 2 minutes, ensuring the spices are well mixed.
Remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Once cooled, stir in the chopped cilantro.
If using premade spring roll wrappers, cut them in half to form rectangles. If using homemade dough, roll it out thinly and cut into rectangular strips.
Take one strip or half a wrapper and fold the bottom corner up to form a triangle. Place 1-2 tablespoons of the filling inside the triangular pocket, then continue folding into a triangular shape until the wrapper is completely sealed.
Use a small dab of water along the edge of the wrapper to seal the final fold securely.
Repeat this process until all the filling is used.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep saucepan or fryer to 175°C (350°F). Gently lower the sambusas into the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry the sambusas for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels.
Serve the sambusas warm with your choice of chutney, yogurt sauce, or a hot sauce for dipping.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
408 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.0 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.1 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 17 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 144 mg | 6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.0 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | ||
| Protein | 5.2 g | 10% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 11 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 73 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
