The Best Cubano (Cuban Sandwich)
Pork lovers everywhere, let me introduce you to the Cubano, or, the Cuban Sandwich. With two types of pork, melted Swiss cheese, mustard and crunchy dill pickle slices all on delicious Cuban bread, this sandwich can’t be beat. While there’s some debate on exactly where this sandwich originated, there’s no debating that this sandwich will become your new favorite.
Origin of the Cubano
Does anyone really know where the Cubano originated? A popular lunch food amongst workers in Cuba, the sandwich is said to have been created in the late 1800’s and made its way over to Florida with the Cubans who frequently traveled to Florida. Others state it was created in Tampa and South Florida, with each area arguing theirs is the best. (I volunteer to taste test) In Tampa, salami was added to the Cubano due to the influence of Italian immigrants in the area. Shredded lettuce, tomato and mayo are sometimes added. As long as its served on homemade Cuban bread, can you really go wrong?
Ingredients
- Roast Pork- I use a pork shoulder roast, but you could use any pork roast.
- Ham Sandwich Meat- thinly sliced for piling on the sandwich.
- Swiss Cheese (or Baby Swiss)- I do not like regular Swiss, but I really like baby Swiss. I have also used Lacy Swiss.
- Dill Pickle Chips- the crunchier, the better.
- Yellow Mustard- your favorite brand will do.
- Homemade Cuban Bread- need I say more?
I’m not sure what the best part of this sandwich is; the roast pork or the fresh baked Cuban bread. The roast pork is to die for. I bought a pork shoulder roast from my local butcher shop. I highly recommend shopping local. I cooked the roast in the crock pot. On high, it took about five hours.
Let’s Make This
Roast Pork
- Pork Shoulder Roast
- Shallots
- Garlic Cloves
- Cumin, Cloves, Paprika
- Salt and Pepper
- Water
- Orange Juice and Lime Juice
While not a true Mojo Marinade, I used orange, lemon and lime juice, garlic, cumin, cloves and paprika to add flavor to this roast. This roast was so delicious! It really upped the flavor of the sandwich. While not traditionally done, I shredded the pork for this sandwich, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.
Slice the bread in half length wise. Butter one side of the bread, add yellow mustard to the other side. Add Swiss cheese, sliced ham and the shredded pork to the bottom half of the sandwich. Add sliced dill pickles and top with the other half of the bread.
I cooked this sandwich two different ways; in my George Foreman grill, pictured above; and in the oven on a large sheet pan with a heavy, cast iron griddle on top to press them down. While both worked well, cooking it in the oven was easier and allowed me to cook more than one at the same time.
This sandwich was soooo delicious! With my homemade Cuban bread, the shredded pork, the melted Swiss, the pickles, mmmmm…. I want to make one right now!
Storage Tips
For freshest results, this sandwich should be eaten immediately after it is grilled. If you have extra, (yeah right) you can store them in an airtight container/bag for up to three days. If you want to make these sandwiches a few days in advance, you can assemble them and not cook them, then store in an airtight container/bag for up to three days.
Other Cuban Recipes to Try
Cuban Inspired Greek Chicken Gyros
Cubano (Cuban sandwich)
Ingredients
Roast Pork
- 1-2 lbs pork shoulder roast
- 2 shallots
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cloves
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt and pepper, each
- 1/4 cup water
Cuban Sandwich
- 1 loaf Cuban Bread
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 6 slices Ham
- 2 cups Shredded pork (or more if you like)
- 1/2 cup Yellow mustard
- 2-3 tbsp butter
- 16 slices dill pickles
Instructions
Roast Pork
- Add the pork, shallots, pressed garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp cloves, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp each of orange juice, lemon juice and lime juice, 1/4 tsp salt and pepper each and 1/4 cup water to a large crock pot.
- On high, the roast should take about 5 hours to cook. On low, it should take about 8 hours.
- Shred the pork once its cooked. If you are making the sandwiches soon, you can turn the Crock Pot on low until you are ready to make the sandwiches. If you are making them the next day, store pork in the refrigerator until ready to use. If waiting until the next day, you will want to warm the meat up a bit before putting it on the sandwiches.
Cuban Sandwich
- If you are heating these using the oven, preheat to 350. Trim the ends of the bread and slice lengthwise. It may be easier to cut the loaf in half before slicing lengthwise.
- One one half, spread the butter. On the other half, spread the mustard.
- On the bottom half. layer the cheese, sliced, ham, shredded pork and as much pickle as you like. Top with the other half of the bread.
- Grill in a panini press or George Foreman grill. Alternatively, place the sandwich on a large baking pan and place something heavy on top to weight the sandwiches down. I used a rectangular, cast iron griddle as it was heavy enough to weight the sandwiches down. I then cooked in the oven for 15 minutes at 350.If you have nothing to weigh the sandwiches down, that is fine. They will still taste delicious!
Nutrition
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