Spicy Ethiopian Lentil Sambusas with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

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.

Crispy fried lentil-filled sambusas seasoned with berbere and served with a cooling cilantro yogurt dipping sauce. This Ethiopian-inspired recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, turns yellow lentils, berbere spice mix, 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 300 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 300 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 cup yellow lentils
1 tbsp berbere spice mix
1 small, finely chopped onion
2, minced garlic cloves
1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
12 sheets sambusa wrappers
for frying, about 2 cups vegetable oil
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Rinse 1 cup yellow lentils and boil in 3 cups water over medium heat for 15 minutes until soft but not mushy; drain and set aside.
Step 2: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent.
Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp berbere spice mix; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Mix in cooked lentils, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Place 1 sambusa wrapper on a clean surface, spoon 2 tbsp lentil filling near one corner, fold into a triangle shape sealing edges with a little water. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
Step 6: Heat about 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry sambusas in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Step 7: Mix 1/2 cup plain yogurt with 1 tbsp lemon juice and a pinch of salt for dipping sauce. Serve sambusas warm with cilantro yogurt sauce.