Crispy, golden wrappers filled with spiced filling make these handheld beef samosas perfect for lunch, snacks or an easy meal on the go.

There’s something especially satisfying about food you can eat with your hands, and these crispy beef samosas definitely deliver. Filled with seasoned ground beef, ginger, garam masala and cilantro (plus peas, if your crew is game), they’re delicious straight from the pan or oven. Serve them warm with mango chutney for dipping—or pack a few for lunch with chutney on the side.

Ingredients for Beef Samosas

  • Canola oil, for cooking and frying
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 pkg samosa or spring roll wrappers, thawed if frozen
  • Mango chutney, for serving

Directions for Beef Samosas

  1. In a large, heavy skillet over medium-high, add a drizzle of canola oil. Add beef and onion and cook, breaking beef up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
  2. Add green onions, garlic, ginger, lime juice, cumin, garam masala and salt. Cook for 1 min more, then remove from heat and stir in cilantro and peas, if using.
  3. In a small bowl, stir flour with a little water to make a thick paste.
  4. On a clean work surface, lay out one wrapper. Fold one short end over to form a triangle, then fold again to create a triangular pocket. Spoon filling into pocket, then continue folding wrapper back and forth, maintaining triangle shape, until you reach the end. Dab flour paste onto final flap to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
  5. In a large, heavy pot over medium-high, heat about 2 inches canola oil until hot but not smoking. Working in batches so you don’t crowd the pot, fry samosas, turning as needed, until crisp and golden. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  6. Serve warm with mango chutney for dipping.

To bake instead: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange samosas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush lightly with canola oil. Bake for about 20 min, turning once or twice, until crisp and golden.

Makes about 18 beef samosas.

Originally published March 2014. Updated August 2026.