CUBANO SANDWICH: A CUBAN sandwich that consists of roast pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles & mustard pressed just right between Crusty Cuban bread. The origins of this iconic sandwich are buried deep in Cuban-American history, especially with the popularization and following it has across cities like Miami and Tampa where they still hold dear to their hearts. With layers upon layers of savory firepower, a Cubano sandwich never lets you down.
We will tell you the recipe of how to make a classic Cubano sandwich at home, take it on through its storied history as well, and give some twists for people who want something special.
A Story Of The Cubano Sandwich
The Cubano Sandwich is much more Cuban, being that’s where it actually came from but after it hit Florida (where so many of the great Cuban creations meet a rich melting pot like nothing else has ever noticed) every town south with even three people old enough to make food at home caught on. And a symbol of those cultures blending together is the Cuban-American dish that has become an American favorite.
In Miami, the sandwich is served on Cuban bread; in Tampa, there might be salami thanks to Italian influence. Though the details might change a bit based on where you are in Florida, roast pork (Or ham), Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard will always make an appearance.
Cubano Sandwich Ingredients
Cubano Sandwich Ingredients: To create a truly authentic Cubano, you will need the following ingredients.
Soft-crusted Cuban bread (If no Cuban Bread is available, use a soft crusty baguette or Italian loaf).
Two Slices Ham (smoked or honey-glazed if possible)
2 slices of Swiss cheese
1/2 C. roast pork, thinly sliced or shredded
2-3 Pickle slices-(I prefer Dill)
Yellow Mustard (to kick it up a notch use mustard with some heat)
Sweet potato (mashed with/ cream and salt)Baby bok choyButterSourdough bread Butter was also to toast the sandwich.
Optional Ingredients:
Tampa-style Cubano with Salami
Mojo marinade (perfect if you like to add flavor to your roast pork)
The Perfect Cubano Sandwich Recipe
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Cut the bread in half, lengthways. The consumption of Cuban bread is a must but it also tastes great in a crusty baguette or another soft white loaf.
Spread butter on the outside of each side by turning over a slice of bread. This step will make your bread more golden and crispy when toasted.
Step 2: Assemble the Sandwich
Spread the bottom piece of bread with mustard. The mustard gives it a sharp hit to counteract the fattinessfrom the pork and ham.
Sandwich Layer (from the bottom layer to the top):
2 Swiss on the bottom of each scene… this will distribute the cheese more evenly.
Chunks of roast pork cover the bread evenly. It can also be made with leftover pork or fresh, seasoned pork shoulder that you cook in mojo marinade for extra Cuban flavor.
Smear the pork with 2 slices of ham.
Place some pickle slices over the ham. The sandwiches are savory and the vinegary pickles work in combination with all of this flavor.
Finally, put a slice of Swiss cheese on top (this is optional but helps hold everything together in the sandwich).
Step 3: Toast the Sandwich
Preheat a panini press (ideally) or heat a heavy skillet over medium heat. One of the above except you will also need to put a heavy skillet (such as cast iron) or brick wrapped in foil on top of it.
Add the sandwich to a hot press or skillet and weigh it down so that you can flatten your grilled cheese. We want the bread to become crispy and nicely golden brown, also melting the cheese in between.
Toast each side for about 3-4 minutes per side just to make sure your bread is crispy and the cheese has melted. You should have a perfect golden crust form with the buttered bread.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
Slide the sandwich out of its perfectly toasted cover, and leave it to chill off for a minute.
Slice the sandwich diagonally and enjoy with chips, fries, or a side salad for a full meal.
Different Traditional Cubano Sandwiches
While the classic Cubano sandwich is great, there are some flavor combinations you can try if you’d like to mix things up a bit.
Salami: Adds another layer of umami and is a Tampa-style addition that we learned more about Monday. To some, even the mild and fusty scent of salami seems an unaccountable luxury in a sandwich as rich as this.
Spicy Cubano: To the regular, classic version, just add spicy mustard or some jalapeños and heat things
Mojo Pork Cubano: Make a traditional mojo sauce using citrus juice, garlic, and fresh herbs to marinate your roast pork. This provides the pork with a ton of flavor so that you do not miss tasting much in such an authentic sandwich.
Fun as a vegetarian Cubano — swap the pork and portobello mushrooms or tofu, with additional cheese stacked in there (well it needs some heartiness)
Reasons You Will LOVE The Cubano Sandwich
The Cubano Sandwich is adored for a lot of reasons and here is why; It will instantly be your top sandwich contention.
Flavorful layers: From the savory roast pork to smoky ham and tangy pickles among melted Swiss cheese, every bite is flavor-loaded.
Simple to make: Despite its luscious appearance, the Cubano is an easy sandwich to build and if you have some cooked pork lying around it can be a fast meal.
Great for every meal: For lunch, dinner or a weekend snack the Cubano sandwich is a filling eye-pleaser.
Great for parties: serve it as a big sandwich that you then cut into smaller ones, and share at any party or gathering!
How to Make the Perfect Cubano Sandwich
Finding the right ingredients: If you can, go to a Cuban bakery and grab some freshly baked bread (hopefully that is said in every recipe haha), but also use high-quality roast pork, this really makes the sandwich authentic.
But do be sure to include the mustard and pickles — they cut through all that pork, cheese, etc with their sharp tangy bite.
Flatten it: The sandwich should be compressed to help everything come together but not so hard you squeeze the layers into nothing. DONT — the miracles are a well-done crust with gooey cheese inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make a Cubano Sandwich in Advance?
The whole idea of a Cubano is to eat it hot off the press, but you can assemble most if not all of these items ahead and cook them last minute. Just not before you eat or the bread will get soggy and gross.
But… what if I can’t get Cuban bread?
I toasted some Cuban bread after seeing an amazing stack of it on the counter and thought that is what I had leftover from another dish — nope. But ensure the bread you choose has a soft inside and crusty outer.
What can I do to make this sandwich a bit healthier?
But if you want to lighten up the Cubano sandwich, use whole wheat bread or choose leaner cuts of ham and pork. You can also use less butter for toasting.
More Veg in Sandwich??
Absolutely! Although the classic is a little light on veggies, feel free to add lettuce tomatoes, or grilled onions to your version of the Cubano sandwich.
Per Serving Nutritional Information:
Calories: 650 kcal
Carbohydrates: 50g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Sodium: 1,250 mg
Final Thoughts
The Cubano Sandwich is a gorgeous blend of flavors interspersed with slices of slow-roasted pork and ham; melted Swiss cheese and pickles stuffed into crisp bread. Serve it up for a simple lunch or a weekend get-together, and you’ll be looking like Wonder Woman:) The easy preparation and predominant flavors have deemed it a Cuban-American favorite.
Check out more tasty sandwich recipes in the Sandwiches section of yumy24. Come and uncover a culinary utopia!
