Best 5 Slow Cooked Cuban Sandwich Recipes

Welcome to the realm of Cuban flavors, where the slow-cooked Cuban sandwich reigns supreme. This delectable dish, a symphony of savory and tangy notes, is a culinary delight that captures the essence of Cuban cuisine. Imagine tender, slow-cooked pork infused with garlic and oregano, nestled between slices of golden-brown Cuban bread, slathered with tangy mustard and pickle relish. The aroma alone is enough to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

But that's not all; this article presents a treasure trove of Cuban sandwich variations, each with its unique twist. From the classic Cuban sandwich bursting with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles to the vegetarian Cuban sandwich featuring roasted eggplant and avocado, there's an option to cater to every palate. And for those who love a bit of heat, the spicy Cuban sandwich, infused with chipotle peppers and jalapeños, is sure to ignite your taste buds.

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, this article has got you covered. Each recipe is presented with clear instructions and helpful tips, ensuring that you can recreate these Cuban delights in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Cuba, one slow-cooked Cuban sandwich at a time.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SLOW-COOKER CUBAN PORK SANDWICHES

Slow-Cooker Cuban Pork Sandwiches image

This decadent slow-cooker recipe involves citrusy pork, salty ham, melted cheese, tangy pickles, and mustard. Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Cuban Sandwiches.

Provided by Erin Merhar

Time 8h30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast (Boston butt), trimmed of excess fat
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon orange zest plus 1 tsp. fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
6 6-in. sub rolls
0.33 cup Dijon mustard
3 ounces thinly sliced deli ham
3 ounces thinly sliced Swiss cheese
1 whole dill pickle, thinly sliced crosswise

Steps:

Rub the pork with the garlic and salt and place in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the chicken stock, orange zest, and orange juice. Cover and cook on low until the pork is very tender, 7 to 8 hours. Pull pork into 1- to 2-inch pieces; toss with the lime juice. Return to slow cooker and keep warm.
Preheat broiler with the oven rack 6 inches from heat. Split the rolls length-wise. Spread the mustard on the bottom halves and top evenly with the pork, ham, and Swiss cheese. Broil just until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Top with the pickles and sandwich with the tops of the rolls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 559 kcal, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 118 mg, Protein 44 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 1521 mg, Sugar 8 g, Fat 19 g, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

SLOW-COOKER CUBAN SANDWICHES

Slow-Cooker Cuban Sandwiches image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories main-dish

Time 8h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1 small orange
3 to 3 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, skin removed
1 24-inch sub roll or two 12-inch soft Italian sub rolls
Yellow mustard, for serving
8 ounces honey ham, thinly sliced
8 ounces Swiss cheese, thickly sliced
1 cup sliced dill pickles
1 red onion, thinly sliced

Steps:

Prepare the pork: Mix the olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, the cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic, lime juice and orange juice in a small bowl. Make slits all over the pork with a paring knife and rub with the oil mixture. Transfer the pork to a 6- to 7-quart slow cooker and top with any juices from the bowl. Cover and cook on low until tender, 8 hours.
Transfer the pork to a bowl and let cool slightly. Shred into thick chunks with 2 forks, then return to the slow cooker and keep warm in the cooking liquid.
Assemble the sandwiches: Slice the roll or rolls in half lengthwise and smear both sides with mustard. Layer on the ham, cheese, pulled pork, pickles and onion and cut into portions. Or, start on opposing ends and race to the middle!

SLOW COOKER CUBAN SANDWICH

Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwich image

My favorite Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwich recipe! The pork is made in the slow cooker with a flavorful mojo marinade. Each layer of this sandwich is packed with delicious ingredients that will blow you about.

Provided by Tania

Categories Main Course Sandwiches

Time 6h30m

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

4 lbs pork shoulder/pork butt
Juice of 2 oranges
Juice of 1 1/2 limes
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
3/4 tablespoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 Cuban rolls, sliced open ((you can also use telera or bolillo rolls, or Italian bread))
24 slices Swiss cheese
18 slices honey ham
12 slices pickles
Mustard
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
24 slices Genoa salami ((optional))

Steps:

Poke the pork shoulder all over with a knife. Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks and place in a large slow cooker.
Add all the Mojo marinade ingredients to the slow cooker and mix well to combine. Cook on LOW for about 6-7 hours until tender.
When ready, shred the meat using a fork.
In the microwave oven, melt butter and garlic powder, and brush the bread all over with it.
Assemble the sandwich: For each sandwich, spread mustard on the bottom half, layer on 2 slices cheese cheese, 3 slices of honey ham, 4 slices salami (if using), pulled pork, 2 pickle slices, and 2 more slices Swiss cheese. Spread the inside of the top bread half with mustard and top the sandwich. Place sandwich on a hot panini press until golden brown.
Serve with your favorite side. I served these sandwiches with chips.

SLOW-COOKER CUBANO SANDWICHES

Slow-Cooker Cubano Sandwiches image

This recipe came about because I didn't have pepperoncini for my usual Italian pork recipe so I used pickles instead. It reminded me so much of a Cuban sandwich that I added the ham and Swiss cheese to complete the dish. Instead of adding cheese to the slow cooker, you can also build the sandwiches and top with sliced cheese. Place under the broiler to melt. -Kristie Schley, Severna Park, Maryland

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 6h45m

Yield 8 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 pounds pork tenderloin
7 tablespoons stone-ground mustard, divided
1 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
1 pound fully cooked boneless ham steak, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 jar (16 ounces) whole baby dill pickles, undrained, sliced thick
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
8 submarine buns, split

Steps:

Rub pork with 3 tablespoons mustard, season with pepper and place in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Add ham and pickles, including pickle juice. Cover and cook on low until tender, turning halfway through, about 6 hours. , Shred pork with 2 forks. Sprinkle cheese over meat mixture; cover and cook until cheese melts, about 30 minutes. , When ready to serve, slice rolls and toast lightly in a toaster oven or broiler. Spread remaining mustard evenly over both sides. Using a slotted spoon, top rolls with meat mixture. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 526 calories, Fat 20g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 118mg cholesterol, Sodium 1941mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 48g protein.

SLOW-COOKER CUBAN PULLED-PORK PANINI SANDWICHES

Slow-Cooker Cuban Pulled-Pork Panini Sandwiches image

Cuban pulled pork-or lechon asado-meets traditional Cuban ham and Swiss sandwiches in these zesty, melty paninis. The pork absorbs loads of flavor while slow cooking in a garlic- and citrus-infused mojo sauce, which ultimately makes for one amazing hot sandwich. Unless you live in south Florida, Cuban bread will probably be rather difficult to come by. So use whatever type of bread tickles your fancy, and if you can't find a loaf that measures 2 feet (61 cm) long, two smaller loaves (about 12 ounces [340 g] each) of Italian or French bread, or even individual hoagie rolls, would work beautifully instead. Just make sure to start and end your sandwich layers with Swiss, since the cheese is what ends up holding together an otherwise messy panini.

Provided by Samantha Skaggs

Categories Slow Cooker Sandwich Florida Pork Ham Swiss Cheese Pickles

Yield Serves 6-8

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3 lb (1.6 kg) boneless pork butt roast, trimmed
10 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (3 g) dried oregano
2 teaspoons (5 g) ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon (18 g) House Seasoning (see Cooks' Note)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 (2-foot [61-cm] long) Cuban bread loaf, submarine sandwich roll, Italian bread loaf or French bread loaf
Prepared yellow mustard, as needed
2 (8-oz [227-g]) packages sliced Swiss cheese, divided
2 cups (286 g) sliced dill pickles
1 (8-oz [227-g]) package thinly sliced ham
4 tablespoons (60 ml) melted butter

Steps:

Pierce the pork roast all over with a small knife. Place the pork in the bottom of a large slow cooker. In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, oregano, cumin and House Seasoning. Pour the mixture over the pork and rub it into the meat, turning to evenly coat it. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 6 hours, until the pork is extremely tender.
Transfer the pork to a cutting board. Remove and discard the fat and use 2 forks to pull the pork into chunks. Use a large spoon to skim the fat from the surface of the liquids in the slow cooker. Return the pulled pork to the slow cooker and stir well. Taste the meat and adjust the seasoning, adding salt and pepper, if desired. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 15 to 30 minutes, so that the pork can further absorb the flavors of the cooking liquids while you prepare the sandwich ingredients.
To assemble the sandwich, slice the loaf of bread in half horizontally. Spread a thin layer of mustard on the bottom half of the bread and then layer 1 package of the Swiss cheese, all of the pickle slices, all of the ham slices and a generous amount of pulled pork. Top the pork with the remaining 1 package of Swiss cheese and place the other half of the bread loaf on top of the Swiss cheese.
Use a serrated knife to cut the loaf into approximately 6-inch (15-cm) lengths. Brush both sides of each sandwich with the melted butter and cook the sandwiches in a panini press or a hot skillet until the cheese melts and the exterior gets toasty. If you are cooking the sandwich in a hot skillet, cover the top of the sandwich with aluminum foil and place a heavy pot or cast iron skillet on top of the foil. Flip the sandwich once the bottom is toasted and toast the other side. Cut the sandwich into slices and serve hot.

Tips:

Choose the right bread: Cuban bread is the traditional choice for this sandwich, but you can also use a hoagie roll or even sourdough bread.
Use quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the sandwich will be. Look for fresh, high-quality meat, cheese, and bread.
Don't skimp on the mojo sauce: This sauce is what gives the Cuban sandwich its unique flavor. Make sure to use a generous amount.
Press the sandwich: Pressing the sandwich helps to meld the flavors together and make it easier to eat. You can use a panini press or a heavy skillet.
Serve with sides: Cuban sandwiches are often served with sides such as plantain chips, fries, or a salad.

Conclusion:

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