Best Diablo Sandwich Recipe: One-Pot, Easy & Homemade

Enjoy this spicy, Tex-Mex style Diablo Sandwich Recipe on your next trip. It’s one of our camping dinner recipes that’s delicious, easy and fun!

Diablo Sandwich Recipe by CampingForFoodies features a hot sandwich on a blue camping plate. The red and brown color hamburger is mixed with yellow corn, bright green cilantro and avocado slices. The plate is set on a firewood log with blue sky in the background.
Diablo Sandwich Recipe by CampingForFoodies

Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.

What Are Diablo Sandwiches?

In the 1977 comedy/action classic movie Smokey and the Bandit, Jackie Gleason played the character of Sheriff Justice. In the middle of his pursuit of the Bandit, played by Burt Reynolds, the sheriff pulls off the road to stop at the Old Hickory House BBQ joint to order some food saying, “Give me a Diablo sandwich and a Dr. Pepper, and make it quick. I’m in a G.D. hurry!”

Fans of the movie have been trying to figure out if any such sandwich exists because the diablo sandwich recipe ingredients were never revealed. The sandwich has created a bit of a cult following as people have been watching that scene of the movie ever since, trying unlock the secret. After years of speculation, most people agree that Sheriff Buford T. Justice’s meal was probably some version of a very spicy sloppy joe that is not for the faint of heart.


Where Other Versions Appeared

Diablo recipes started popping-up at fast food restaurants. When Arby’s created their new sandwich it was available with smoked brisket or crispy chicken and included ghost pepper jack cheese, fiery hot seasoning, fire-roasted jalapenos, Diablo BBQ sauce and was served on a red chipotle bun. The new Diablo Dare Sandwich was served with a free vanilla shake.

Taco Bell created their version of Diablo Sauce that included tomato puree, onion powder, garlic and paprika as a condiment for tacos, burritos and fajitas.

Our version

The Bandit movie inspired us to make a less spicy option, allowing heat-levels to be adjusted on individual servings so campers who love spicy food can create the spiciest sandwich their taste buds can handle, while those who like milder flavors can omit the extra spices.


Recipe Prep

When you are making one pot camping meals, prep and gather all of your ingredients before you start cooking. You’ll need to dice an onion, mince some garlic and measure a few items.


Prepare In Advance

To prepare as one of our make ahead camping meals, do this:

  • At home: Cook the meat mixture, let it cool and store refrigerated in a tightly-sealed food storage container.
  • At camp: Reheat the mixture. Assemble the sandwiches with the cheese on the bun and any additional toppings you desire. Serve hot.

Cooking Methods & Equipment

If you are making this as one of our easy campfire recipes, you’ll need to get your fire going to create nice coals for cooking.

This can also be made as one of our camp stove recipes or on an RV stovetop. You’ll want to cook on a level surface.

A non-stick skillet is fine when using a camp stove or RV stove. I prefer using a campfire as a heat source and make this as one of my Dutch oven camping recipes using cast iron cookware.


Recipe Steps

Step 1. Prepare your ingredients, heat source and equipment as directed.

Step 2. Heat pan and melt butter. Place a large pan or pot over medium heat, then add butter and let it melt.

Step 3. Add veggies. Place the onions, garlic and jalapeños in the pot and cook until they begin to soften.

kim cooking outdoors
Send me FREE camping tips!

I want "5 Secrets To Successful Camping Trips" plus weekly camping tips & recipes.

Step 4. Brown hamburger. Now, add the ground beef and use a spoon to break it into crumbles as it cooks.

Step 5. Remove grease and add remaining ingredients. Once the meat is browned, if there’s excess grease use a wadded-up paper towel to remove most of it from the pan. Then stir in the taco seasoning, corn, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, salt and pepper.

Step 6. Simmer. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer about 15 minutes until the liquid is reduced.

Step 7. Build the sandwiches. Layer the ingredients starting with the bottom buns, cheese slices, even amounts of meat mixture, your choice of toppings and top bun. Serve hot.


What To Serve With This Recipe

Tip your hat to the sheriff by serving dr pepper with this sandwich.

Here are a few camping side dishes that pair well with this meal.

When the first bite of a meal is spicy, it’s nice to follow up with a fork of something cool and refreshing like this Refrigerator Cucumber Salad. It is an easy recipe that can be prepared days in advance so it’s ready to serve anytime.

A hot sandwich always goes well with French fries. Instead of doing a traditional deep fried version, try these fast and easy Grilled Potato Wedges.

If you want a warm, Tex-Mex starter, try this easy Cowboy Soup Recipe.

Get your FREE printable camping trip & menu planner before you create your next meal plan!

Camping Menu Template Meal Planner Free Printable by CampingForFoodies features a collage of free camping printables including a camping menu planner template, a campfire stew recipe card and a healthy no cook camping salad with text over the image that reads free camping menu template, tips and recipe ideas.

Scaling Servings

This is a great one-pan recipe that is easily scaled to serve more people. It’s one of my favorite easy camping meals for large groups, just make sure you don’t make it too hot, campers can always add hot sauce to their own sandwich.


Leftovers

If you have remaining portions, you can just freeze the meat leftovers in food storage bags. Then, defrost and reheat later.


Print This Recipe

Diablo Sandwich Recipe by CampingForFoodies features a hot sandwich on a blue camping plate. The red and brown color hamburger is mixed with yellow corn, bright green cilantro and avocado slices. The plate is set on a firewood log with blue sky in the background.

Diablo Sandwich Recipe

Kim Hanna
Camping For Foodies Dinner Camping Recipes: This Diablo Sandwich Recipe is and easy one pot dinner.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner Camping Recipes
Cuisine American

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT

Servings 4
Calories 487 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 (4 oz) can diced jalapeno peppers (undrained) or 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, diced
  • 1 pound ground beef (see * Note)
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or 1 oz packet)
  • 1 (11 oz) can fiesta style whole kernel corn with red and green bell peppers, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • Hot sauce a few dashes, to taste
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns red chipotle bun, red bun
  • 4 pepper jack cheese slices

Optional Toppings:

  • Avocado slices toss in lime juice to stay bright green if preparing in advance
  • Dollop of sour cream
  • Bunch cilantro chopped
  • Red onion thinly sliced
  • Hot sauce

Instructions
 

  • Heat large skillet over medium heat, add butter.
  • Add onions, garlic and jalapeños to melted butter, cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
  • Add ground beef to pan, use a spoon to break hamburger into crumbles as it cooks.
  • After the meat is browned, use a paper towel to remove excess grease, if necessary. Add taco seasoning, corn, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, salt and pepper to the pan.
  • Reduce to low heat, simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. Continue stirring to combine the flavors and reduce the liquid to your desired consistency.
  • Lay out bottom buns and top each bun with a slice of pepper jack cheese.
  • Divide sloppy joe mixture in equal portions on hamburger buns.
  • Add avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream and cilantro to each sandwich.
  • Add top bun and serve hot.

Notes

* NOTE: If you are on a low-fat diet, substitute 1 pound chicken for the 1 pound of ground beef but you may need to use a little olive oil or non-stick cooking spray in the pan.
Here are a few more useful links:
Dutch Oven Temperature Chart https://www.campingforfoodies.com/dutch-oven-temperature-chart/
Camping For Foodies Recipes List https://www.campingforfoodies.com/camping-recipes-list/
Our Products https://www.campingforfoodies.com/shop/

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1gCalories: 487kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 24gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 663mgPotassium: 483mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 261IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 4mg
Cuisine American
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Similar Recipes

Want an easy, tasty & fun one-pot camping meal? Try these yummy Creamy Tacos.

Our Dutch oven Mexican recipes have south-of-the-border flavors for your breakfast, lunch and dinner meals. And, if you’re looking for more yummy camping sandwich ideas, we’ve got those too!

Big Mac Sloppy Joes

Serve these sandwiches triple decker with lettuce, a couple slices of dill pickles and McDonald’s Copycat Big Mac Sauce. You only need 30 minutes to prep and cook this dinner.

Big Mac Sloppy Joes by CampingForFoodies features a double decker sandwich on a sesame seeded bun filled with sloppy joe meat and a copycat version of McDonald’s secret sauce, American cheese, pickles and shredded lettuce. The meal is ready to be served for dinner at the campsite. A cast iron Dutch oven and propane fuel canister on a camp stove are in the background.
Big Mac Sloppy Joes by CampingForFoodies

Chuckwagon Sandwich

This is one of our easy camping meals that takes about 2 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to cook! It combines deli meats and cheese on a hamburger bun that is warmed and served.

Chuckwagon Sandwich Recipe by CampingForFoodies features a sesame seeded hamburger bun filled with salami, bologna, ham, American and Swiss cheese slices set on a piece of aluminum foil on top of a campfire cooking grate over a red, orange and yellow-flamed campfire.
Chuckwagon Sandwich Recipe by CampingForFoodies

Dutch Oven Jambalaya

Canned tomatoes are the base of the sauce. Then, smoked Andouille sausage, bite sized little pieces of chicken, shrimp and several sources of spices are combined to make this meal. Campers can add more hot sauce or red pepper flakes to increase the heat.

Dutch Oven Jambalaya by CampingForFoodies features a cast iron camping Dutch oven filled with chicken, sausage and shrimp jambalaya alongside a pot of white rice in the background and a cast iron lid resting against a camping fire ring with text over the image that reads Dutch Oven Jambalaya.

Spicy Steak Chili

Some of my favorite winter camping recipes are chilis, soups and stews. This is the spiciest chili we make and should be reserved for the heat-lovers in your group.

Hot Meaty Bold Spicy Steak Chili Camping Dutch Oven Recipe awesome dutch oven camping recipes outdoor cooking for campfires by CampingForFoodies

Dutch Oven Shredded Beef Sandwiches

This 3 ingredient camping meal is a nice change from a regular pulled pork sandwich.

Dutch Oven Beef Sandwiches by CampingForFoodies features a shredded beef sandwich on a hoagie roll topped with mildly spicy green peppers on a blue camping plate alongside a serving of coleslaw and dill pickles ready to be served and setting in front of a black cast iron camp Dutch oven with text over the image that reads Beef Sandwiches.

More Yummy Meal Ideas

Every meal can be a delicious one with a little planning. Try something new on your next trip.

If you’re looking for awesome ideas for yummy camping food, you’re in the right place! Here’s our entire camping recipes list.

Get FREE camping tips and recipes emailed to you!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating