Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Sambusa with Berbere Dip

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Crispy fried sambusas filled with spiced lentils served alongside a tangy berbere yogurt dip for a flavorful appetizer. This ethiopian-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes turns brown lentils, water, yellow onion into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp berbere spice blend
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• for frying, about 3 cups vegetable oil
• 12 sheets spring roll wrappers
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup brown lentils and combine with 3 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until lentils are tender and most water has evaporated.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp berbere spice blend, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the onions, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir the cooked lentils into the skillet mixture and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring frequently to combine and dry excess moisture.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let filling cool slightly.
6. Step 6: Lay out 12 spring roll wrappers on a clean surface. Place about 2 tbsp of lentil filling near one corner and fold into a triangular shape, sealing edges with a little water.
7. Step 7: Heat about 3 cups vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F. Fry sambusas in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
8. Step 8: For the dip, mix 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/2 tsp berbere spice blend until smooth.
9. Step 9: Serve sambusas hot with the berbere yogurt dip on the side.