Best Ever Cuban Sandwich

Best Ever Cuban Sandwich
  • PREP TIME
    40 mins
  • COOK TIME
    4 hrs
  • TOTAL TIME
    8 hrs 40 mins
  • SERVING
    4 People
  • VIEWS
    9

Experience the vibrant flavors of Cuba with this ultimate Cuban sandwich! Featuring succulent pork, savory ham, melted Swiss cheese, tangy pickles, and a zesty mustard-mayo blend, all pressed to perfection in buttery Cuban bread. A true taste of the Caribbean!

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare pork shoulder: Add onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and salt into a food processor or blender and process until smooth.

02

Step

Place pork in the bottom of a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or large baking dish and cut 3 or 4 large deep slits in the meat. Pour marinade over pork, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator 4 hours or overnight.

03

Step

Place Dutch oven with prepared pork, covered, in the oven and set the temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bake until pork is very tender, 3 to 4 hours. Remove from the oven; rest 15 minutes. Remove pork to a cutting board. Skim any fat from the cooking liquid, and set cooking liquid aside.

04

Step

Shred pork with two forks, and discard any remaining fat and bone. Return pork to the pot, and add cooking liquid back into meat as needed to moisten.

05

Step

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

06

Step

Spread about 2 tablespoons softened butter over cut sides of bread and place bread, buttered sides down, in skillet. Cook until buttered side is lightly browned and toasted, about 3 minutes.

07

Step

Stir mustard and mayonnaise together in a small bowl. Spread about 2 teaspoons mustard mixture over bottom halves of bread and top with 1 slice of cheese, tearing as needed to fit the bread without hanging over the edges. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, add about 1/2 cup shredded pork to each sandwich, draining off any excess liquid. Top each evenly with ham, 3 pickle slices, and 1 cheese slice. Spread remaining mustard mixture evenly over top pieces of bread and place on top.

08

Step

Reheat the skillet over medium heat. Spread about 1 tablespoon butter lightly on the outsides of the 4 bottom buns. Working 2 sandwiches at a time, place sandwiches, buttered side down, in skillet. Place 1 or 2 heavy-bottomed skillets on top of sandwiches to weigh them down. Cook until toasted and lightly golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove weighted skillets.

09

Step

Spread remaining 1 tablespoon butter over the 4 top halves of sandwiches, flip and press with weighted skillets again until toasted. Remove the first 2 sandwiches from skillet; repeat the toasting process with remaining sandwiches. Cut sandwiches in halves and serve immediately.

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a thin spread of mojo sauce to the bread before assembling the sandwich.
If you don't have a panini press, a heavy skillet and another skillet or weight work just as well for pressing the sandwiches.
Feel free to adjust the mustard-mayo ratio to your liking. Some prefer a stronger mustard flavor, while others enjoy a creamier, mayo-forward spread.

Jacey Upton

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 5.0/ 5 ( 3 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (3)
  • Kelli Hoeger

    This recipe is fantastic! The pork is so flavorful and tender, and the sandwich is just like the ones I had in Miami.

  • Buddy Dach

    I've made this several times now, and it's always a hit. The key is to really press the sandwiches well so they get nice and crispy.

  • Nasir Hessel

    The marinade for the pork is amazing! I use it for other pork dishes as well. This is definitely a keeper recipe.

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