A Cuban sandwich, also called Cubano or Sandwich Cubano, is made with ham, roast pork, pickles and swiss cheese all generously stacked on Cuban bread. The sandwich is then lightly buttered and pressed on a plancha (sandwich press). It’s one of the best sandwiches ever and they can be found in cafeterias and restaurants all over Miami.
If you can’t get to Miami anytime soon, there’s no reason you should go without. Most of what you need to make a Cuban sandwich is really easy to get.
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Ingredients
Roast Pork (Lechon) – If you want to make a homemade Cuban sandwich, the sweet ham and swiss cheese are simple; you can pick those up at the deli. The roast pork on the other hand, will take some work…but oh is it worth it!
Here’s our Cuban roast pork recipe. Make it for dinner one night and make Cubanos the next day. You can also make Medianoche (midnight sandwiches), or the simple and delicious Pan con Lechon.
- Bread – A Cubano is made with Cuban bread, but it can be difficult to find. Unless you’re in South Florida you might have to use a substitute. Use bread that’s wide, crusty on the outside and soft and fleshy on the inside.
- Italian bread makes a pretty good substitute, so does a wide French bread (not a baguette). We’re going to press the sandwich which will help with creating a crusty exterior.
- Ham – Use a sweet ham, nothing too strong, and have it sliced a little on the thick side. You want it to be prominent and hold its own with roast pork slices.
- Cheese – Swiss cheese is traditionally used.
- Pickles – Dill pickles, nothing too sweet so there’s a nice contrast to the sweet ham.
- Mustard – Yellow mustard
Instructions
- Cut the bread into a 6 – 8 inch piece and slice it open.
- Lay the bread open and spread the top slice with mustard.
- Layer the ham on the bottom slice.
- Add the sliced roast pork
- Add the pickles, staggered to cover almost the entire area, so that every bite contains pickle.
- Top with swiss cheese and cover with the bread.
That’s it for the sandwich. You can use a pastry brush to butter the top before pressing it to give it a nice sheen.
Press the sandwich
Once the sandwich is made it gets pressed until lightly golden and toasty. If you don’t have a sandwich press don’t let that keep you from enjoying the best Cuban sandwich.
You can use a large skillet to press the sandwich. Heat a large, heavy skillet on medium to medium-low heat. Place the Cubano on the skillet and place another heavy skillet, large lid or cast iron bacon press on top and press down gently.
When the bread is toasted, flip the sandwich and repeat until the other side is toasted and the cheese is melted.
This recipe makes one sandwich. To make more just double, triple, quadruple…you get the picture. Enjoy!
If you want to try other popular Cuban sandwiches this pan con bistec or this easy and delicious Cuban chicken sandwich will not disappoint.
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Cuban Sandwich (Cubano)
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf Cuban Bread cut into a 6 – 8 inch piece (use Italian or French if you can’t find Cuban bread)
- ½ teaspoon Yellow Mustard or to taste
- 3–4 slices Sweet Ham (approximately 4 – 5 ounces)
- 3–4 ounces Roast Pork sliced or shredded
- 6–8 Dill Pickle Chips
- 2 slices Swiss Cheese (approximately 2 ounces)
- ½ teaspoon Butter softened
Instructions
- You will also need: pastry brush, sandwich press or panini maker
Build the Cuban sandwich
- Cut the Cuban bread into a 6 – 8 inch piece and slice it open.
- Lay the bread open and spread the top slice with mustard.
- Layer the ham on the bottom slice.
- Add the sliced roast pork
- Add the pickles, staggered to cover almost the entire area, so that every bite contains pickle.
- Top with Swiss cheese and cover with the bread.
- Heat the sandwich press to medium.
- Brush the top of the sandwich lightly with the softened butter.
- Gently place the sandwich on the preheated surface and press the top down. Don’t press too hard, just place it and let the weight and gravity start flattening the sandwich. Let the sandwich cook until the bread is nice and toasted and the cheese has melted, about 7–10 minutes. Keep an eye on it and check it after 5 minutes to gauge the remaining time.
- Cut the sandwich in half and serve.
Mike
Tampa Bay has a large Cuban population. Our cubanos are made using ham, seasoned pork, salami, Swiss cheese, pickles and mixed mustard/mayo dressing. Pressed or not pressed locally baked Cuban bread. Lived in Tampa area for 40 years but recently moved to North Florida and really missed the “cubano”.
Now making my own and will try your recipe.
Elizabeth
Hi Mike,
I just got back from Tampa. I didn’t get to try the Cubanos there but I will make it a point to. Hope you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for stopping by.
Lisa
Love Cubans and miss them. We used to live in Tampa,Fl. But now live in Ohio when I make Cubans it’s a week-long event at our house and ends with making 25- 48cubans. All our boys and grand kids love them and ask for them for their birthday.
Elizabeth
They really are a great sandwich. It’s wonderful that you make them for your family to enjoy! Thanks for stopping by and sharing.