Pan-Fried Tibetan Shapale with Spiced Lamb and Onion

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Golden pan-fried Tibetan shapale filled with seasoned ground lamb and onions, offering a hearty and aromatic street food favorite. This Asian-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, water, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 380 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup water
1 tsp salt
10 oz ground lamb
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 tbsp vegetable oil

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Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour with 1 tsp salt and gradually add 3/4 cup water, kneading until a smooth dough forms. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
Step 2: In a pan over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 10 oz ground lamb, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 6-8 minutes until lamb is browned and fragrant. Allow to cool.
Step 3: Divide dough into 10 equal pieces. Roll each into a 5-inch circle.
Step 4: Place 2 tbsp of lamb filling in the center of each circle, fold dough over to form a half-moon, and crimp edges tightly.
Step 5: Heat remaining 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry shapale for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp.
Step 6: Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve warm as a filling snack or light meal.