Description
Pambazos Sandwiches are classic Mexican street food made with rolls dipped in a rich guajillo chili sauce, lightly fried, and filled with a savory mix of seasoned meat and potatoes. Each bite bursts with smoky spice, creamy toppings, and comforting textures that make this dish unforgettable.
Ingredients
6 bolillo rolls or telera rolls
5 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
2 cloves garlic
1/2 onion
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (plus more for frying)
1 pound ground beef or turkey
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup Mexican crema
1/2 cup queso fresco, crumbled
Salsa, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the diced potatoes in salted boiling water until tender, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the ground meat until browned. Stir in the cooked potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
- For the guajillo sauce, simmer the chilies in water until softened. Blend them with garlic, onion, and chicken broth until smooth, then strain to remove any skins or seeds.
- In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil and pour in the blended sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes, seasoning with salt to taste.
- Slice the rolls open without cutting all the way through. Dip each roll in the warm guajillo sauce until fully coated.
- Fry the dipped rolls in a skillet over medium heat until lightly crisp on the outside but soft inside.
- Fill each roll with the meat-and-potato mixture. Top with shredded lettuce, Mexican crema, and crumbled queso fresco.
- Add salsa if desired and serve hot.
Notes
Use bolillo or telera rolls for authentic texture.
Substitute ground meat with shredded chicken or sautéed mushrooms for variety.
Add arbol chilies for more spice or anchos for a milder flavor.
Top with avocado slices or pickled onions for freshness.
Store sauce and filling separately; assemble just before serving.
Reheat in a skillet to restore crispness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop and Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
