Bangladeshi Beef Samosas

Bangladeshi Beef Samosas are as good as the name. These delicate Asian parcels of beef with veg and amazing spices that will make your mouth water. I first had these 30 years ago from my neighbour and been enjoying them ever since.

Bangladeshi beef samosas are a culinary delight that captures the essence of traditional Bangladeshi flavours. These savoury pastries, filled with spiced beef and wrapped in a crisp, golden shell, are a popular snack and appetizer, beloved for their rich taste and satisfying crunch. They represent the harmonious blend of spices and textures that Bangladeshi cuisine is celebrated for.

A Culinary Tradition

Samosas have a long history that dates back to ancient times in the Middle East and Central Asia. They made their way to the Indian subcontinent during the Muslim invasions of the 13th century, where they were embraced and adapted into various regional cuisines. In Bangladesh, samosas are typically filled with beef, potatoes, and a mix of aromatic spices, setting them apart from their counterparts in other regions.

The Perfect Filling

The heart of a Bangladeshi beef samosa is its filling, a savoury blend of minced beef, onions, green chilies, garlic, ginger, and an array of spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, chilli powder and garam masala. The filling is cooked until the beef is tender and infused with the spices, creating a rich and flavourful mixture. Sometimes, peas or diced potatoes are added for extra texture and flavour.

Making the Pastry

The pastry for samosas is traditionally made from scratch using flour, water, and a pinch of salt. The dough is rolled out thinly and cut into circles or triangles, which are then filled with the beef mixture. Each samosa is carefully folded and sealed to ensure it holds its shape during frying.

Cooking and Serving

Bangladeshi beef samosas are typically deep-fried until they achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior. The frying process gives the pastry its characteristic crunch, while the filling remains juicy and flavourful. They are often served hot, accompanied by mint chutney or tamarind sauce, which complement the rich, spiced beef with fresh and tangy notes.

A Versatile Treat

While beef samosas are a staple during Ramadan, breaking the fast at Iftar, they are also enjoyed year-round at celebrations, family gatherings, and as a popular street food. They can be made ahead of time and frozen, making them a convenient and delicious option for any occasion.

Bangladeshi beef samosas are far more than just a snack. they are part of the history of Bangladesh. Their delightful combination of crispy pastry and savoury beef filling makes them a favourite for many. I have served these as a quick snack, canape or as a side dish. Bangladeshi beef samosas offer a burst of flavour and tradition in every bite.

Bangladeshi Beef Samosas

These delights are what taste buds were created for.

4.89 from 62 votes

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Course: Side Dish, Snack, Starter

Cuisine: Bangladesh

Keyword: Beef, Deep Fry, Pastry, Spice, Vegetables

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 20 Samosas

Calories: 168kcal

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Ingredients

 

MetricImperial

• 1 lb ground beef
• 16 oz filo pastry
• 2 large onions peel/slice finely
• 4 cloves garlic peel/mince
• 1 tbsp ginger peel/slice finely
• 1 cup peas defrosted if frozen
• 2 large potatoes peel/chop
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp chilli powder I use medium
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• ½ bunch cilantro chopped
• 2 large green chillies deseeded/slice finely
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 leaf bay

Instructions

• Fill a medium saucepan with slightly salted water and place over a high heat. When boiling, add the peas and potatoes and cook until the potatoes are soft but with body still. You will be mashing them so you don’t want it runny!!
  1 cup peas, 2 large potatoes
• When the potatoes are tender, drain the water and mash the peas and potatoes together until thoroughly combined. Put to one side for now.
• Add a saucepan over a medium high heat and add the 2 tbsp of oil.
  2 tbsp vegetable oil
• When hot add the cumin seeds and the bay leaf and stir around until the seeds are browned all over.
  ½ tsp cumin seeds, 1 leaf bay
• Add the ground beef together with the onions and cook until the onions are soft and the beef is browned. This normally takes about 5 – 8 minutes.
  1 lb ground beef, 2 large onions
• Add the garlic and ginger and stir in.
  4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp ginger
• Add the coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, chilli powder, turmeric, cumin, salt and black pepper and again stir in well.
  ½ tsp ground cardamom, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp ground cumin
• Add the mashed peas and potatoes to the saucepan and combine well.
• Remove from the heat and put to one side to cool down. (Its easy to use cold than warm).
• Once it has cooled down, add the sliced green chillies and coriander and stir in.
  ½ bunch cilantro, 2 large green chillies
• To fold the samosas, its easier to view the you tube video. Moisten the filo pastry with a moist (water) finger. Use add 1 tablespoon of the filling to each samosa and line them all up. Any filling left over can then divided out evenly.
  16 oz filo pastry
• Heat the oil in a deep sided frying pan or fat fryer. Temp should be 175C/350F.
• Carefully lower the samosas into the oil doing it in batches.
• Fry until golden brown about 3 – 5 minutes and then remove and place on kitchen paper to drain any excess oil. Repeat until they are all cooked and turn the oil off.
• Serve warm with Asian dishes or with chutneys and raita.

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 284mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 711IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg