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Samboseh Sabzi (سمبوسه سبزی) — Persian Aromatic Herb Samosas

Crispy Persian herb-filled triangles inspired by Southern Iran street food. Leeks, onion, and a trio of fresh herbs are sautéed, brightened with lemon, then wrapped and fried until golden and crackly.

By Zaffaron Kitchen· Published March 16, 2026 Verified Recipe
Vegetarian Vegan Dairy-Free Nut-Free Halal
Contains: gluten
70 min total Prep 45m · Cook 25m 6 servings 392 cal ~$1.35/serving
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Samboseh Sabzi — Persian Aromatic Herb Samosas - authentic persian recipe

Printable Recipe Card

Servings: 6 · Total: 70 min · Difficulty: medium

Ingredients (quick list)

  • 350 g Leeks (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced (Rinse well to remove grit; drain thoroughly)
  • 150 g Yellow onion, finely diced (About 1 medium onion)
  • 70 g Fresh parsley leaves and tender stems, finely chopped (Pack loosely; chop finely for a cohesive filling)
  • 50 g Fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, finely chopped (Use both leaves and soft stems)
  • 25 g Fresh dill, finely chopped (Feathery fronds only)
  • 30 ml Olive oil (For sautéing the filling)
  • 30 ml Lemon juice, freshly squeezed (Add at the end for a bright finish)
  • 6 g Fine sea salt (Adjust to taste)
  • 1 g Black pepper, freshly ground (About 1/2 teaspoon)
  • 60 g All-purpose flour (For sealing paste)
  • 75 ml Water (For sealing paste; add gradually)
  • 18 Samosa wrappers (Or use 18 flour tortillas (15–20 cm/6–8 in), see substitutions)

+ 1 more in the full ingredients section below.

Steps (summary)

  1. Clean and prep the vegetables: slice leeks thinly, then rinse in a bowl of cold water, lifting them out so grit stays behind; d…
  2. Cook the aromatics: heat 30 ml olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat (about 175°C/350°F surface temp). Add onion and coo…
  3. Finish the herb filling: add chopped parsley, cilantro, and dill to the skillet. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, just un…
  4. Make sealing paste and set up: whisk flour and water in a small bowl until smooth and thick like glue; rest 5 minutes. Line a t…
  5. Form triangles: for samosa wrappers, fold into a cone and fill with 30–35 g (about 2 heaping tablespoons) herb mixture, leaving…
  6. Fry until crisp: heat neutral oil in a skillet to 175–180°C (350–355°F). Fry samboseh in batches of 4–6, seam-side down first,…

Cultural Background

Samboseh is a popular street snack in parts of Southern Iran, where crisp fried pastries are often filled with vegetables and bold aromatics. Herb-filled versions are commonly served hot with lemon for brightness, reflecting regional preferences for fresh greens and citrus alongside fried foods.

herbaceouscitrusysavorylightly pepperycrisp shelltender moist fillingfresh herbssweet onionlemon🌶 mild

Equipment

Chef’s knifeCutting boardLarge bowl (for washing leeks)Wide skillet or sauté panWooden spoon or spatulaSmall bowl and whisk (for sealing paste)Sheet tray with parchmentFrying skillet or shallow panKitchen thermometer (recommended)Wire rack and paper towels

💡 Tips

  • Dry the leeks and herbs well; moisture creates steam that can open seams during frying.
  • Chop herbs finely so the triangles pack tightly and fry evenly without air pockets.
  • Cool the filling before wrapping; warm filling softens wrappers and weakens seals.
  • For extra citrus aroma, add 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest to the cooled filling (optional).
  • Use a thermometer for oil; staying near 175–180°C gives crisp shells without greasiness.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Wrapping with a warm or wet filling

    💡 Why: Steam softens wrappers and weakens the seal, leading to leaks in hot oil.

    ✅ Fix: Cook until the pan is dry, then spread filling out and cool 10–15 minutes before wrapping.

  • ❌ Oil temperature too low

    💡 Why: Wrappers absorb oil before crisping, turning heavy and greasy.

    ✅ Fix: Heat oil to 175–180°C (350–355°F) and fry in small batches to avoid temperature drops.

  • ❌ Overstuffing or leaving air pockets

    💡 Why: Air expands during frying and can burst seams; overfilling prevents tight folds.

    ✅ Fix: Use 30–35 g filling per piece, pack firmly, and press seams with sealing paste until fully closed.

  • ❌ Browning onions too much

    💡 Why: Dark browning can overpower the fresh herb flavor and add bitterness.

    ✅ Fix: Cook onions to translucent and lightly golden only; keep heat at medium and stir frequently.

🧊 How to Store

Best eaten fresh. Refrigerate cooked samboseh in an airtight container up to 3 days; re-crisp on a rack in a 200°C (400°F) oven for 8–10 minutes. Unfried, wrapped samboseh can be refrigerated 24 hours (covered) or frozen 2 months; fry from frozen at 170°C (340°F) for 7–9 minutes, turning.

📅 Make Ahead

Prepare the filling up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate airtight. Wrap samboseh up to 24 hours ahead and keep covered in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze wrapped (unfried) samboseh on a tray, then bag; fry directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the total time.

🍽️ Pairs Well With

  • Lemon wedges
  • Cucumber-tomato salad with olive oil and lemon
  • Plain yogurt or a yogurt-garlic dip (optional)

Regional Variations

  • Southern Iran (coastal cities)Often served as a street snack with extra lemon and sometimes a tangy sauce; fillings may lean more herb-forward and bright to balance the crisp fried shell.
  • Urban home-style across IranSome cooks add a small amount of mashed potato or cooked lentils to make the filling more substantial, especially when serving samboseh as a light meal rather than a snack.
Nowruz gatherings Tea-time snack Picnics Game day Party appetizer Ramadan iftar
#street-food#crispy#herb-forward#lemony#southern-iran-inspired#party-snack

FAQ

What is Samboseh Sabzi?

Samboseh Sabzi is a Persian-style samosa filled with aromatic herbs (often with leeks/green onions) and spices, then fried until crisp. It’s a popular street snack, especially in southern Iran.

Can I bake samboseh instead of frying?

Yes—brush with oil and bake until deep golden, flipping once for even color. It won’t be exactly like fried samboseh, but it can still be crisp and delicious.

How do I keep samboseh crispy?

Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying and avoid overcrowding the pan. Drain on a rack (not paper towels) so steam doesn’t soften the crust.

What can I serve with samboseh?

A bright dipping sauce is perfect—tamarind sauce, lemony yogurt, or a spicy herb chutney. It also pairs well with pickles and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

  • 350 gLeeks (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced (Rinse well to remove grit; drain thoroughly)
  • 150 gYellow onion, finely diced (About 1 medium onion)
  • 70 gFresh parsley leaves and tender stems, finely chopped (Pack loosely; chop finely for a cohesive filling)
  • 50 gFresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, finely chopped (Use both leaves and soft stems)
  • 25 gFresh dill, finely chopped (Feathery fronds only)
  • 30 mlOlive oil (For sautéing the filling)
  • 30 mlLemon juice, freshly squeezed (Add at the end for a bright finish)
  • 6 gFine sea salt (Adjust to taste)
  • 1 gBlack pepper, freshly ground (About 1/2 teaspoon)
  • 60 gAll-purpose flour (For sealing paste)
  • 75 mlWater (For sealing paste; add gradually)
  • 18Samosa wrappers (Or use 18 flour tortillas (15–20 cm/6–8 in), see substitutions)
  • 700 mlNeutral frying oil (sunflower, canola, or grapeseed) (For shallow frying to 1.5–2 cm depth)

🔄 Substitutions

  • Samosa wrappers→ Flour tortillas (15–20 cm/6–8 in), cut into 3 strips each
  • Fresh dill→ Fresh mint (same weight)
  • Leeks→ Green onions/scallions (300 g, sliced)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Clean and prep the vegetables: slice leeks thinly, then rinse in a bowl of cold water, lifting them out so grit stays behind; drain very well. Dice the onion. Chop parsley, cilantro, and dill finely. Excess water makes the filling steam and can burst wrappers, so pat leeks and herbs dry with towels.

  2. 2

    Cook the aromatics: heat 30 ml olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat (about 175°C/350°F surface temp). Add onion and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring, until translucent and lightly golden. Add leeks and 1/2 of the salt; sauté 8–10 minutes until soft and reduced, with no visible moisture.

  3. 3

    Finish the herb filling: add chopped parsley, cilantro, and dill to the skillet. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, just until herbs wilt and turn vivid green. Turn off heat, then stir in lemon juice, black pepper, and remaining salt. Spread filling on a plate and cool 10–15 minutes to room temperature.

  4. 4

    Make sealing paste and set up: whisk flour and water in a small bowl until smooth and thick like glue; rest 5 minutes. Line a tray with parchment. If using samosa wrappers, keep them covered with a barely damp towel while working. If using tortillas, warm briefly so they fold without cracking.

  5. 5

    Form triangles: for samosa wrappers, fold into a cone and fill with 30–35 g (about 2 heaping tablespoons) herb mixture, leaving 1 cm at the top. Brush edges with sealing paste and fold into a tight triangle, pressing firmly to seal. For tortillas, cut each into 3 long strips and fold into triangles, sealing each fold.

  6. 6

    Fry until crisp: heat neutral oil in a skillet to 175–180°C (350–355°F). Fry samboseh in batches of 4–6, seam-side down first, 2–3 minutes per side (4–6 minutes total) until deep golden and blistered. Maintain temperature; too cool makes them oily. Drain on a rack 2 minutes, then serve hot with extra lemon.

🪪 Recipe Passport

Origin: Persian Cuisine
Researched by: Zaffaron Kitchen
Published: March 16, 2026

Cultural Background

Samboseh is a popular street snack in parts of Southern Iran, where crisp fried pastries are often filled with vegetables and bold aromatics. Herb-filled versions are commonly served hot with lemon for brightness, reflecting regional preferences for fresh greens and citrus alongside fried foods.

Regional Variations

Southern Iran (coastal cities): Often served as a street snack with extra lemon and sometimes a tangy sauce; fillings may lean more herb-forward and bright to balance the crisp fried shell.
Urban home-style across Iran: Some cooks add a small amount of mashed potato or cooked lentils to make the filling more substantial, especially when serving samboseh as a light meal rather than a snack.

Researched from multiple sources and validated by the Zaffaron editorial team. Every recipe is tested for accuracy, measurements, and cultural authenticity.

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Nutrition per serving

392
Calories
5g
Protein
24g
Fat
41g
Carbs
4g
Fiber
420mg
Sodium

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