Pambazos de Barbacoa (Guajillo Dipped Beef Sandwiches)
Soft rolls dunked in red chilli sauce, pan fried until crisp and stuffed with beef, potato, lettuce and crumbled cheese.
Made with Red enchilada sauce and Barbacoa beef. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.85 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Boil the potatoes in salted water for 8 minutes, until just tender. Drain well and leave to steam dry.
8 min - 2
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the potatoes for 6 to 8 minutes until golden, then stir in the oregano and a pinch of salt.
7 min - 3
Warm your ready made barbacoa beef (see the base recipe) in a pan until steaming hot all the way through, and drain off the juices so the filling is not wet.
- 4
Slice each roll open without cutting all the way through. Warm your ready made red enchilada sauce (see the base recipe) in a wide bowl or shallow dish.
- 5
Dunk each roll on all sides in the red sauce so it is completely coated, then fry in the remaining oil over a medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until the crust is sealed and the colour deepens.
3 min - 6
Fill each pambazo with potatoes, barbacoa and lettuce. Top with cheese and soured cream and serve straight away, with extra warm sauce for dipping.
Tips
- Use day old rolls. Fresh, very soft bread falls apart when dunked in the sauce.
- The sauce should be the thickness of single cream so it coats rather than soaks. Thin it with a splash of water if needed.
- Fry in a non stick pan and turn gently. The sauce can catch, so keep the heat at medium.
Storing and freezing
Pambazos are best eaten as soon as they are filled. Keep the leftover filling in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is a pambazo?
A pambazo is a Mexican street food sandwich made from a special white bread that is dipped in guajillo chilli sauce, lightly fried and filled with potato, chorizo or other fillings.
Can I use other rolls?
Yes. Floury baps, soft white rolls or small brioche-free buns all work. Pick a roll with a firm crumb that can survive a quick dunk.
Is it spicy?
It is mild to medium. The red sauce is rich and fruity rather than fiery. Add a fresh jalapeño or hot sauce if you want more heat.
More made with red enchilada sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.