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.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 20

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)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned and crumbly, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Continue cooking until the onion softens, approximately 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Once cooled, stir in the chopped cilantro.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Use a small dab of water along the edge of the wrapper to seal the final fold securely.

Step 8

Repeat this process until all the filling is used.

Step 9

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.

Step 10

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.

Step 11

Serve the sambusas warm with your choice of chutney, yogurt sauce, or a hot sauce for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1910.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8466.5

Total Fat 809.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 136.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 331.9mg	0%
Sodium 3703.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 257.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.0g	0%
Total Sugars 5.4g
Protein 116.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 226.1mg	0%
Iron 17.5mg	0%
Potassium 1731.6mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 83.0%

Protein: 5.3%

Carbs: 11.7%