Sri Lankan Beef Rolls are a popular snack that beautifully showcases the rich flavors of Sri Lankan cuisine. These rolls consist of a spicy beef curry. It is wrapped in a thin, crispy dosa – like wrapper. This makes them an enticing treat for gatherings or as a street food delight.
The filling features tender pieces of beef. These are marinated with aromatic spices, including Jaffna curry powder, turmeric, and garlic-ginger paste. The addition of fresh vegetables like onions, leeks, and potatoes adds texture and flavor to the curry. Green chilies give a satisfying heat. A squeeze of lime at the end brightens the dish, balancing the spices.
The rolls have a unique combination of textures. The beef filling is hearty and flavorful. The wrapper is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside after frying. This contrast makes each bite enjoyable and satisfying.
The preparation involves two main components: the spicy beef curry filling and the dosa – like wrapper. The beef is first cooked with an array of spices, ensuring it absorbs all the flavors. The batter for the wrapper is made from all-purpose flour, creating a smooth consistency. These wraps are lightly pan-cooked to form a sturdy base for the beef filling. They are then rolled up and coated in breadcrumbs. Finally, they are deep-fried to golden perfection.
Sri Lankan Beef Rolls are best served hot and fresh out of the fryer. They are often accompanied by a side of spicy dipping sauce or chutney. They are perfect for parties and casual gatherings. You can also enjoy them as a delightful snack while watching a game or a movie.
These beef rolls are not just a meal. They are a culinary experience that embodies the vibrant and diverse flavors of Sri Lankan cuisine. The essence of this dish lies in its comforting spices. The tender meat and crispy exterior make it a beloved choice for many. It is especially appreciated by those who enjoy hearty, flavorful snacks. Enjoy the rich tradition and warmth this dish brings to the table!
INGREDIENTS for Sri Lankan Beef Rolls
For Curry:
- 500 g Boneless beef
- 750 g Potatoes
- 250 g Onion
- 150 g Leeks
- 4 or 5 Green chili
- Few Curry leaves
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 3 tablespoon Jaffna Curry powder
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
- ½ Lime or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt – As you need
- Cooking oil – As you need
- water as you need (1 cup)
For the Dosa (wrapper):
- 1000 g (6 cups) All-purpose flour
- 2000 ml (7 cup) Water
- Salt – as you want
For Coating:
- 250 g Breadcrumbs
Equipment
INSTRUCTIONS for Making Delicious Sri Lankan Beef Rolls
- Rinse the beef and cut it into tiny pieces. Also, cut the potato into small pieces as shown in the picture below. Besides, chop the onion, leeks, curry leaves, and green chilies. Apart from all, get ready with ginger garlic paste, lime, curry powder, turmeric powder, salt, and cooking oil.
- Heat the oil and add half of the onion. Sauté them till translucent. Then add green chilies and curry leaves. Sauté them till onion starts turn to golden.
- Now, add the beef, Jaffna curry powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Give a good mix.
- Cook covered under high flame for 5 minutes.
- Add potato and Give a good mix.
- Cook covered under medium flame until all the liquid evaporates. For me, it takes about 10 minutes. Taste a piece of beef, if it is not cooked well enough add some water and cook again.
- Add ginger garlic paste and mix.
- Now add the rest of the onion and leeks. Stir, mix and cook for one or two minutes under medium flame.
- Finally, switch off the flame and squeeze the lime. Also, adjust salt if needed and give one last good mix. This is how to make the best spicy typical Sri Lankan-style curry for beef rolls.
- Take a large bowl, add all-purpose flour and salt. Mix them well. Add the water little by little while mix them using a whisk. Mix well until all dissolved thoroughly. For me, it takes about 10 minutes.
- Take ¾ of the smooth batter for making the dosa (wrapper) and leave the rest for dipping the rolls.
- Heat the dosa pan and make dosa as shown in the picture below. You don’t need to flip the dosa. Cook one side is enough to make the rolls.
- Now put the curry on top of the dosa and make the rolls as shown in the picture below.
- Do the same until you finish the beef curry.
- Take the breadcrumbs and the rest of the smooth batter.
- Dip each roll inside the batter and then coat them with the breadcrumbs as shown in the picture below.
- Do the same to all the rolls you made.
- Now heat the oil in a deep fryer. Fry the rolls under a high flame. Continue frying until they turn golden brown. For me, it takes about 4 minutes for each batch.
- This is how to make the best Sri Lankan beef rolls without frozen wrappers. Serve and enjoy these typical Sri Lankan-style soft and crispy beef rolls.

Video
NOTES
- I suggest you buy the beef with some fat. Don’t go with the lean beef.
- If you don’t like more spiciness, reduce the number of green chilies and/or the amount of curry powder.
- You can substitute ginger garlic paste to instantly mince the ginger and garlic.
- If you don’t have Jaffna curry powder, you can use a substitute. Use 2 tablespoons of chili powder and 1 tablespoon of curry powder.

Breaded Beef Spring Rolls
Sri Lankan Beef Rolls are a popular snack that beautifully showcases the rich flavors of Sri Lankan cuisine. These rolls consist of a spicy beef curry. It is wrapped in a thin, crispy dosa - like wrapper. This makes them an enticing treat for gatherings or as a street food delight.
Ingredients
For Curry:
- 500 g Boneless beef
- 750 g Potatoes
- 250 g Onion
- 150 g Leeks
- 4 or 5 Green chili
- Few Curry leaves
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 3 tablespoons Jaffna Curry powder
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
- ½ Lime or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt – As you need
- [Cooking oil] – As you need
- water as you need (1 cup)
For the Dosa (wrapper):
- 1000 g (6 cups) All-purpose flour
- 2000 ml (7 cup) Water
- [Salt] – as you want
For Coating:
- 250 g Breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Curry:
- Heat oil in a pot and sauté half of the chopped onion until translucent.
- Add the green chilies and curry leaves; sauté until the onion is golden.
- Incorporate the beef, Jaffna curry powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Cover and cook on high flame for 5 minutes.
- Add the chopped potatoes and stir to combine.
- Cook covered on medium flame for about 10 minutes or until the liquid evaporates. If the beef isn’t tender, add a bit of water and continue cooking.
- Add ginger garlic paste, stir, then incorporate the remaining onion and leeks. Cook for 1–2 minutes over medium flame.
- Turn off the heat, squeeze lime juice, and taste for salt, adjusting as needed. - Prepare the Dosa (Wrapper):
- In a large bowl, mix all-purpose flour and salt.
- Gradually add water while whisking until you get a smooth batter (it should take about 10 minutes).
- Reserve ¾ of the batter for making dosas and set aside the rest for dipping.
- Heat the dosa pan and pour batter to form dosas. Cook only on one side. - Assemble the Beef Rolls:
- Place a scoop of the beef curry on top of each dosa and roll them up.
- Dip each roll in the reserved batter and coat with breadcrumbs. - Fry the Rolls:
- Heat oil in a deep fryer and fry the rolls on high flame until golden brown, about 4 minutes for each batch. - Serve:
- Enjoy your homemade Sri Lankan beef rolls, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside!
Enjoy making and sharing this vibrant dish, perfect for gatherings or as a delightful snack!
Notes
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Nutrition Information
Yield 60 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 55Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 7mgSodium 37mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 3g
**Nutritional information on HRCookery is provided as a courtesy. We can't guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on the site. these figures should only be considered as estimates.
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