Best 6 Cubano International Sandwich Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to savor the delectable flavors of the Cuban Sandwich, an iconic dish that harmonizes diverse culinary traditions into a delightful symphony of taste. This delectable sandwich, also known as the Cubano or Mixto, captivates taste buds with its layers of succulent roasted pork, savory ham, tangy pickles, melted Swiss cheese, and a touch of mustard, all pressed between golden slices of Cuban bread. Originating in the vibrant streets of Tampa and Miami, Florida, the Cuban Sandwich is a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage.

This article presents an enticing collection of recipes that unveil the secrets behind crafting the perfect Cuban Sandwich. Embark on a culinary adventure with our step-by-step guide to preparing each component of this iconic dish, from slow-roasting the pork to layering and pressing the sandwich to achieve the ideal balance of flavors and textures. Additionally, discover variations of this classic, including the Media Noche, a smaller version served on soft egg bread, and the Cuban Breakfast Sandwich, a hearty morning meal that combines eggs, bacon, ham, and cheese.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

GRILLED CUBANO SANDWICH



Grilled Cubano Sandwich image

When you think of the classic flavors of a Cubano sandwich, you think spicy mustard, tangy pickles and succulent pieces of pork. In this recipe we marinate pork tenderloin in yellow mustard and pickle juice so those bold flavors penetrate the meat. Pressing the sandwich onto the grill with a weight guarantees that the bread gets nice and toasty and the cheese is completely melted.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

One 1-pound pork tenderloin
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for oiling the grill grates
8 dill pickle slices (cut lengthwise), plus 2 tablespoons pickle brine
2 small cloves garlic, grated
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 14-inch loaf Cuban bread or other long, soft bread, split lengthwise
2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
8 ounces thinly sliced deli ham
4 ounces thinly sliced Swiss cheese

Steps:

  • Cut the pork tenderloin in half crosswise with a sharp knife, creating two 5-inch-long pieces. Make a vertical cut down the middle of each piece, about 3/4 of the way through. Open the pieces like a book. Lay them cut-side down on a piece of plastic wrap, cover with another piece and use a meat mallet to lightly pound the pork to about 1/2 inch thick.
  • Add the pork, 1/4 cup of the yellow mustard, olive oil, pickle brine and garlic to a quart- or gallon-size resealable bag. Close the bag, and rub the marinade into the pork. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare a grill or large grill pan for medium-high heat.
  • Once the pork has marinated for 30 minutes, transfer it to a plate, shaking off any excess marinade. Lightly oil the grill grates with vegetable oil. Sprinkle both sides of the pork liberally with salt and pepper, and grill until charred on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium doneness. Transfer the pork a cutting board, and let it rest for 5 minutes. Reduce the grill heat to medium. Slice the pork across the grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Brush the outside of the Cuban loaf with the butter, and lay the loaf halves cut-side up on a very long piece of aluminum foil. Mix the remaining tablespoon yellow mustard with the mayonnaise, and slather the mixture onto both pieces of bread. Layer the ham, pickles, pork and Swiss cheese on one half of the bread. Top with the other half, and wrap the sandwich up in the foil.
  • Put the sandwich on the grill, place a large baking sheet on top and weigh it down with a large cast-iron pan or 2 large cans of food. Grill for 5 minutes, remove the baking sheet and weight, flip the sandwich, weigh it down again and grill until the Swiss cheese has melted, about 5 minutes more.
  • Unwrap the sandwich, cut into 4 pieces and serve immediately.

CUBANO INTERNATIONAL SANDWICH



Cubano International Sandwich image

This hearty Cuban sandwich is full of so much flavor it's like a party in your mouth with every bite. The German mustard, chipotle mayo and zesty bread and butter pickles really have a great flavor combo and gives this a little zing. The bread is crisp and holds in all the warm filling of this amazing sandwich. It's quite...

Provided by Julia Ferguson

Categories     Sandwiches

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 round flat focaccia bread (I used the sea salt focaccia from Panera, it's about 6 inches in diameter)
6-8 slices deli ham, (I used Boar's Head, lower sodium ham)
6-8 slices deli chicken breast, (I used Boar's Head Everroast Chicken)
6-8 slices Swiss cheese
German mustard (I used Aldi brand of mild German mustard with herbs, it looks and tastes similar to French's regular mustard)
chipotle mayonnaise
zesty, bread and butter pickle slices
oil, for brushing on bread to grill

Steps:

  • 1. Cut focaccia bread into 2 rounds.
  • 2. Spread cut side of round bread bottom with chipotle mayonnaise.
  • 3. Layer sliced chicken breast over mayonnaise.
  • 4. Layer sliced ham over chicken breast.
  • 5. Layer Swiss cheese over ham.
  • 6. Layer bread and butter pickles over Swiss cheese.
  • 7. On cut side of round bread top, spread mustard and place on top of the bread and butter pickles.
  • 8. Brush top of focaccia bread with oil.
  • 9. Place oiled side down onto hot grill pan.
  • 10. Top sandwich with heavy pan or skillet and press down. I used a cast iron skillet. Grill until golden brown and crispy.
  • 11. Before turning, brush the bread with oil and turn, grill weighing down again with heavy pan or skillet, until golden and crispy and cheese is melted. If you have a panini press or George Foreman grill they can also be used.
  • 12. Cut in quarters and serve with your favorite side.

CHEF JOHN'S CUBAN SANDWICH



Chef John's Cuban Sandwich image

Here's how I build a Cuban, or Cubano, sandwich. I like to use pulled pork. Carnitas would work too. These ingredients and amounts are open to your own personal preferences, but here's the general idea.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 21m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 9

¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 (8 ounce) loaf Cuban bread
8 slices Swiss cheese
6 thin slices smoked fully-cooked ham
1 ½ cups cooked pulled pork, heated
1 large dill pickle, sliced thinly lengthwise
2 tablespoons butter, or as needed

Steps:

  • Mix mayonnaise, mustard, and cayenne together in a bowl to make the sauce.
  • Trim off ends of bread. Cut loaf in half and evenly split bread to make tops and bottoms of 2 sandwiches. Spread each half on both sides generously with the mayo/mustard sauce.
  • Divide sandwich ingredients between the two bottom halves in this order: 2 slices Swiss cheese, 3 slices ham, hot cooked pork, pickle slices, and 2 more slices of Swiss cheese. Place tops on sandwiches.
  • Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in skillet and press down with a heavy weight (such as another skillet or foil-wrapped bricks). Toast sandwiches until bread is crisp and filling is heated through, 3 or 4 minutes per side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1473.1 calories, Carbohydrate 85.4 g, Cholesterol 287.1 mg, Fat 85.2 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 88.2 g, SaturatedFat 37.3 g, Sodium 4076.6 mg, Sugar 4.2 g

CUBANO SANDWICH



Cubano Sandwich image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 29

1 medium onion, cut into 4 slices
1 Cubanelle pepper, halved, seeded and cored
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 long Italian loaf, sliced in half lengthwise
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup Mojo Mustard, recipe follows
12 thin slices deli ham (about 12 ounces)
2 cups homemade or store-bought carnitas, recipe follows (see Cook's Note)
6 dill gherkins, sliced in thirds lengthwise
8 slices Swiss cheese
1 cup yellow mustard
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons chili paste
1 teaspoon fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Zest of 1 orange plus 1 tablespoon orange juice
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes, with fat cap scored
1 tablespoon chipotle powder
Kosher salt
3 cloves garlic, smashed
2 cinnamon sticks
1 yellow onion, quartered
1/2 cup orange soda
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Zest and juice from 1 large orange

Steps:

  • Preheat a sandwich press to medium heat.
  • Drizzle the onion and pepper with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Put the onion and pepper on the sandwich press, close and cook until tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Slice into strips.
  • Brush the outside of the bottom half of the bread with some of the melted butter. Brush the inside of both halves with a generous amount of the Mojo Mustard. On the bottom half of the bread, layer the sliced deli ham and top with the carnitas. Top with the gherkins, grilled onion and peppers and finally the cheese. Top with the top half of the bread and brush with more butter. Slice in half widthwise.
  • Place both halves in the sandwich press, close, press down and cook until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted, 5 to 7 minutes. Cut in half to make 4 sandwiches.
  • Mix together the mustard, honey, chili paste, oregano, cumin, orange zest and juice, lime zest and juice, garlic and some salt and pepper in a bowl.
  • Set the slow cooker to high. Put the pork cubes in the slow cooker and season all over with the chipotle powder and some salt. Turn any pieces with the fat cap upright. Nestle in the garlic, cinnamon sticks and yellow onion. Pour the orange soda, vegetable oil and orange juice and zest over the pork. Cover and cook on high until super tender, about 4 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to broil.
  • Transfer the pork chunks to a baking sheet fat-side up. Let the liquid in the slow cooker settle so the fat is on the surface. Scoop off about 1/4 cup of the fat and drizzle over the pork chunks. Broil until the meat is crispy and the fat is bubbly, 1 to 2 minutes.

THE SANDWICH CUBANO



The Sandwich Cubano image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 1 sandwich

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 loaf (12-inch) Cuban bread
2 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste
2 slices kosher dill pickle, very thinly sliced lengthwise
3 to 4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices roast pork
4 slices Virginia baked ham
Melted butter

Steps:

  • In Cuba it was just called el sandwich it was here in USA that we gave it a country!
  • The plancha has to be set to 350 F
  • Slice the bread in half lengthwise, spread the mayo on the bottom bread then place the roast pork then the baked sweet ham then the pickle then the cheese. this way the cheese will melt down and blend with the hams.
  • Next put the sandwich on la plancha and spread a little melted butter on top of the bread and press down the top part of the plancha. in about 3 minutes raise the top part of the plancha spin your sandwich to the other side and repeat the butter process again
  • Your bread should be toasted and the cheese melted. this should be done in about 10-to 15 minutes depending on the plancha
  • Any good ham dish starts with the night before. marinating gives all foods that extra punch of flavour. We accomplish this with sour oranges limes alot of minced garlic, ground cumin dried oregano. This mixture gets spread all over the fresh ham and massage into the meat .Put it the fridge covered with plastic wrap. the next day when u are ready Preheat the oven to 350f place the pork in a roasting pan cover fresh ham in salt skin up, this will keep the ham from drying out, cook for about 4 to 5 hours or until your ham reaches an internal temp of 180f. Remember to take off the salt that by now has become hard. Skin should be toasted and crispy.
  • Allow the meat to rest and carve when you can't wait any longer!

CUBAN SANDWICH (CUBANO)



Cuban Sandwich (Cubano) image

Here's how to make the BEST Traditional Cuban Sandwich, a.k.a. the Cubano, at home! Layers of mojo-marinated pork roast, ham, cheese, and pickles make this sandwich outstanding. Serve toasted grilled bread sandwich hot or cold!

Provided by Marta Rivera

Categories     Dinner     Lunch     Sandwich     Quick and Easy

Time 25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

1-pound loaf Cuban or Italian bread
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 small clove garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
8 ounces thinly sliced Swiss cheese, about 10 slices
1 pound shredded pork roast , heated until warmed through
sliced dill pickles, as needed
10 slices Black Forest or smoked ham
To serve:
Potato chips
Dill pickles

Steps:

  • Heat your skillet or griddle: I like to use two cast iron skillets nested on top of one another, pressing the sandwich in between. To use this method, place both skillets (one on top of the other) over medium heat and let them heat through. If using a panini press set it to medium heat. The skillet or griddle shouldn't be screaming hot, but it should radiate enough heat to toast the bread slowly. If you aren't using the double pan method or a panini press, just use anything you have to weigh the sandwich down - a foil wrapped brick, your spatula, whatever you have will do.
  • Serve: Remove your sandwich from the skillet or griddle. Slice your sandwich according to the number of guests you need to serve and serve the sandwich with a handful of chips and a pickle or two. LEFTOVERS! Leftovers should be wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator. They may be reheated by cooking the same as above.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 357 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Cholesterol 79 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 829 mg, Sugar 2 g, Fat 19 g, ServingSize 4 hearty portions or 8-12 smaller portions depending on cuts, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right bread: Cuban bread, French bread, or hoagie rolls are all great options.
  • Use quality ingredients: Fresh, high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your sandwich.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make a Cuban sandwich, so feel free to get creative and try different variations.
  • Make sure your sandwich is pressed: This will help to melt the cheese and bring all of the flavors together.
  • Serve your sandwich with your favorite sides: Cuban sandwiches are often served with yellow mustard, pickles, and potato chips.

Conclusion:

The Cuban sandwich is a delicious and versatile sandwich that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With its combination of savory meats, melted cheese, and tangy pickles, it's sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give the Cuban sandwich a try. You won't be disappointed!

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