If you love sandwich recipes, try our Monte Cristo Sandwich, Croque Madame, or a Lobster Roll! I can never pass up a good Cuban Sandwich when I see one on the menu, and after some testing I’m happy to share this easy Cubano recipe you can make from home! A Cuban sandwich typically contains ham and pork with a mojo marinade, cheese, mustard and pickles, toasted into a pressed sandwich.
How to make a Cuban Sandwich:
Marinate Pork: Season pork with salt and pepper on all sides. Add marinade ingredients to a ziplock bag or a bowl. Add pork and massage meat in marinade to coat. Marinate for at least 1 hour or up to one day. Grill Pork: Using a grill, grill pan, or a skillet over medium-high heat, cook pork loin for 7-10 minutes on each side, rotating slowly, until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Slice: Remove pork to a plate, cover, and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly for sandwiches. Assemble Sandwiches: To make the best cuban sandwich, slice cuban bread roll or ciabatta rolls in half horizontally. Lightly butter the outsides of the bread. Spread mustard on each slice of bread. Layer a slice of cheese, pickles, ham, salt and pepper, pork, then cheese again. Sandwich with the top piece of bread. Cook Sandwiches in a hot panini press or in a hot skillet, pressing them down with a cast iron or heavy pan on top to toast them into a panini-style sandwich. Serve with a side of potato chips, black beans, French fries, Sweet Potato Fries, or Citrus Fruit Salad.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: Marinate pork up to two days before cooking. To Freeze: Let the sandwiches cool, wrap them in aluminum foil, and place in a freezer bag or container to freeze for up to 2 months. Rewarm in the oven.
Recipe Variations:
Bread: A traditional Cuban sandwich is made with a long, crusty loaf of Cuban bread. We like to use ciabatta as it’s easier to find, but a loaf of French Bread or artisan bread would work, or make the Cuban Bread from scratch. Pork Shoulder: Cuban sandwiches are often made with braised pork shoulder. I prefer to use tenderloin because it cooks much quicker, but leftover pork from carnitas or pulled pork would work great! Pickles: You can use pickles sliced lengthwise or pickle chips, whichever you have on-hand. You can also substitute bread and butter pickles instead of dill pickles if you prefer.
I originally shared this recipe January 2021. Updated June 2023.
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