Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Lentil and Beef Sambusa

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

Crispy baked sambusas filled with a savory blend of spiced ground beef and lentils, inspired by Ethiopian flavors and perfect as a snack or appetizer. This ethiopian-inspired beef ready in about 45 minutes pairs ground beef, red lentils, cooked, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup red lentils, cooked
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp berbere spice mix
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 8 sheets spring roll wrappers or phyllo sheets
• 1 egg, beaten (for sealing)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp berbere spice mix, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1/2 lb ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking up lumps, until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup cooked red lentils and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, mixing well and cooking for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lay out 8 spring roll wrappers or phyllo sheets. Cut each sheet in half lengthwise.
6. Step 6: Place 2 tbsp filling near one end of each strip, fold one corner over to make a triangle, continue folding to the end sealing edges with 1 beaten egg.
7. Step 7: Arrange sambusas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush tops with beaten egg.
8. Step 8: Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Serve warm as a flavorful snack or appetizer.