Name: Sambusa
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 leek, chopped; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 pounds ground beef; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons ground cardamom; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon water, or as needed; 1 (14 ounce) package spring roll wrappers; 1 quart oil for frying, or as needed

Sambusa

4.6

(38)

29 Reviews

6 Photos

This sambusa recipe is my version of a Somali dish that I learned by watching friends around Ramadan. These sambusas are really good, and I can't stop eating them. They are served during Ramadan, weddings, parties, or just because! Since I am married to a Somalian man, I learned to cook a few things he loves.

Submitted by safiyosmommy

Updated on March 27, 2025

Golden fried beef sambusa stacked on a ceramic plate.

Prep Time:

25 mins

Cook Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 10 mins

Servings:

Yield:

2 dozen sambusas

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Ingredients

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Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 leek, washed and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 pounds ground beef
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon water, or as needed
1 (14 ounce) package spring roll wrappers
1 quart oil for frying, or as needed

Directions

Gather all ingredients.

Allrecipes / Sonia Bozzo
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, leek, and garlic; cook and stir until onion is transparent. Add ground beef; cook and stir until still slightly pink and about halfway done.

Allrecipes / Sonia Bozzo
Season with cumin, cardamom, salt, and pepper; mix well. Continue cooking until beef is browned and crumbly. Remove the skillet from heat.

Allrecipes / Sonia Bozzo
Mix flour and water together in a small bowl to make a thin paste. Using one wrapper at a time, fold into the shape of a cone.

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Fill cone with beef mixture, close the top, and seal with paste. Repeat until wrappers or filling are used up.

Allrecipes / Sonia Bozzo
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 365 degrees F (170 degrees C). There should be enough oil to submerge sambusas. Fry sambusas, a few at a time, in hot oil until golden brown.

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Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Allrecipes / Sonia Bozzo

Cook’s Note

You can substitute shredded beef for the ground beef if you like.

Editor's Note:

We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. Amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and specific type of oil used.

57 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

163	Calories
10g	Fat
11g	Carbs
8g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 163
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g	12%
Saturated Fat 2g	12%
Cholesterol 25mg	8%
Sodium 213mg	9%
Total Carbohydrate 11g	4%
Dietary Fiber 1g	2%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 8g	16%
Vitamin C 1mg	1%
Calcium 17mg	1%
Iron 2mg	8%
Potassium 110mg	2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.