This Cuban sandwich recipe is the ultimate pork sandwich made with marinated roast pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard and pickles, easy to make!
Cuban Sandwich Recipe
We're cooking up homemade Cuban Sandwiches in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen tonight, my friends. Would you care for one? If you've never tried a Cuban sandwich, you are about to jump for joy.
This is one of our favorite recipes, for both me and Patty. We fell in love with them during our stays in Florida. It's really hard to beat a sandwich that's layered up with thick slices of ham, loads of slow roasted pork (yes, two types of pork!), held together with melty Swiss cheese and slathered in butter, yellow mustard and topped with crunchy dill pickles.
It's a classic sandwich, really, incredibly popular in Florida but also all over the United States. This one needs to go into your recipe box, my friends. It's perfect for leftover pork shoulder or pulled pork.
It certainly isn't your plain old ham and cheese sandwich! Let's discuss!
What is a Cuban Sandwich?
The Cuban sandwich is popular American sandwich made with two types of pork (ham and roast pork), Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, sliced pickles and sometimes salami, depending on your location. It is a pressed sandwich served up on Cuban bread.
It's origins trace back to Florida where it was enjoyed by Cuban workers in Tampa and Key West. It eventually spread in popularity, no doubt due to its wonderful flavor, spawning a friendly rivalry between Tampa and Miami, with Tampa including salami and Miami omitting it.
Let's talk about how to make a Cuban Sandwich (aka Cubano), shall we?
Cuban Sandwich Ingredients
- Cuban Bread. Use 1 loaf Cuban bread. Use French bread or Italian bread as a substitute.
- Butter. I use 4 tablespoons butter, though you can use more. This is fairly butter sandwich. You can also use olive oil instead.
- Yellow Mustard. Use 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, though you can easily include more.
- Roast Pork. Use 1 pound roast pork. Use your favorite recipe, or use this Pernil Recipe (Puerto Rican Roast Pork) or Cuban Roast Pork (Mojo Pork). You can also use Pulled Pork or sliced and cooked pork tenderloin.
- Sliced Ham. Use 1 pound sliced ham. Glazed ham is great, or you can use your favorite thinly sliced deli ham.
- Swiss Cheese. Use 4 ounces Swiss cheese, or more if you want more melty cheese flavor.
- Sliced Dill Pickles. Use 4 ounces sliced dill pickles, or as many as you can fit on top of the sandwich. You can add as many as you'd like.
How to Make a Cuban Sandwich - the Recipe Method
The Bread. Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Butter the top and bottom half with 2 tablespoon softened butter. Spread the mustard on the top piece of bread.
Layer It Up! Layer the sandwich with roast pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese and pickles. Top the Cubano with the top bread slice.
Butter, Grill and Press. Slather the remaining butter over both sides of the sandwich. Heat a grill, grill pan or heavy skillet to medium heat. Grill the Cuban sandwich for 5-6 minutes per side, pressing it down very firmly with a cast iron skillet on top or spatula to "press" it tightly, until golden brown and bread is nice and crispy.
You can also use a sandwich or panini press for this.
NOTE: Aluminum Foil Option. Some people like to wrap their Cuban sandwiches in aluminum foil first before grilling and pressing, which can help with cleanup. I've done this several times and it works great, though it can get a bit messy if cheese and other ingredients leak out.
Serve and Enjoy! Remove, slice and serve.
Boom! Done! Your Cuban Sandwiches are ready to enjoy! What do you think? Pretty amazing, aren't they? A seemingly simple recipe with simple ingredients that is HUGE on flavor. That's perfect in my book.
I love this recipe.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- The Bread. Cuban bread is tradition for Cuban sandwiches. It's very much like French bread or Italian bread, though differs in the use of lard or shortening, and in how they are baked.
- The Roast Pork. Slow roasted pork is most commonly used, particularly Cuban roast pork. You can also use leftover pulled pork or sliced pork tenderloin or pork shoulder that's been seasoned and grilled if needed.
- The Ham. Use your favorite ham. Glazed ham is popular, though smoked ham is great. I usually get something from the deli and have them slice it thick for me.
- The Mustard. Yellow mustard is traditional. You can use other mustards, but a truly authentic Cuban sandwich uses yellow mustard only. Try it with my homemade yellow mustard recipe.
- The Pickles. My favorite are bread and butter pickles. They have a nice sweetness and a touch of spice. It's also great with hot pickles, for my spicy food lovers.
- Recipe Variations. Salami is often included in the Tampa version of the sandwich, though not in Miami. The choice is yours. Which do you prefer? Salami or no?
Storage & Leftovers
Leftover Cuban sandwiches will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. I like to warm them up in my air fryer toaster oven, or on low heat in the oven to enjoy again.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this homemade Cuban Sandwich recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. I think you'll love this one. So good!
Cookbook Recommendation
If you enjoy spicy cooking, I hope you'll check out my cookbook! 75 easy recipes with big, bold flavor.
- The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)
Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes
- Muffaletta Sandwich
- Shrimp Po Boy
- Cuban Medianoche Sandwich
- Juicy Lucy Cheeseburger
- Pimento Cheese Sandwich
- Chicago Style Hot Dog
- Choripan Argentina
- Molletes (Mexican Open-Faced Sandwiches)
- See all of my Sandwich Recipes
- Ropa Vieja - Cuban Shredded Beef
- Cuban Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)
- Pollo Guisado (Chicken Stew)
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Cuban Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Cuban bread
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard or to taste
- 1 pound roast pork
- 1 pound sliced ham glazed ham is great, or your favorite deli ham
- 4 ounces Swiss cheese or more to your preference
- 4 ounces sliced dill pickles or to taste
Instructions
- Slice the bread in half lengthwise. Butter the bottom half with 2 tablespoon softened butter. Spread the mustard on the top half.
- Layer the sandwich with roast pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese and dill pickles. Top the Cubano with the top bread slice.
- Slather the remaining butter over both sides of the sandwich.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the Cuban sandwich for 5-6 minutes per side, pressing it down very firmly with another pan or spatula to "press" it tightly, until warmed through and bread is nice and crispy.
- Remove, slice and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 11/27/24 to include new information and video. It was originally published on 10/28/20.
Dale Dietzman says
Growing up in Tampa of the 1950s, eating Cuban sandwiches made by real Cubans, I have to ask "Who decided to destroy the bread by pressing?" I can only see that as an attempt to hide not using authentic cuban bread. The texture of authentic Cuban bread makes this sandwich a Cuban, not a "media noche". The bread CAN be toasted if desired, but "pressing" is absolutely a "no-no" or the sandwich goes back. I always order them "unpressed" and half the time I get a pressed one the first time anyway.
Mike Hultquist says
Dale, of course you can make your Cuban sandwich "unpressed" if you want to, though it is typically a "pressed" sandwich. That's definitely a person preference you got there. Check out the cookbook, "Memories of a Cuban Kitchen". Also, not sure if you're commenting on the wrong recipe? Did you mean to comment on my "Media Noche" recipe? Either way, cheers. The recipe is yours to make however you wish.
Steve says
Have the pernil roast in the oven and sandwich ingredients are standing by! Can't wait!!
Mike H. says
Let me know how it goes, Steve - enjoy!
Steve says
It was fantastic!! doubled the cheese (here in Wisconsin it's required by law...)
Mike H. says
Haha, I bet! Enjoy, Steve!
Chris says
There's the Tampa version, and there's the wrong version.
Excellent looking recipe!
Chris says
I know there's nothing like Cuban bread but if u don't live anywhere that makes it or are intimated to try and make it what is a good substitute for the bread?
Mike Hultquist says
Chris, you can use a good quality Italian bread or Mexican bolilo bread. Even sourdough can work. Look for bread that has some firmness on the outside, yet is soft on the inside.
Joan says
I'm glad you mentioned sour dough. I have some at home and have both pork roast and ham and may even have Swiss cheese. Need some pickles!
Mike Hultquist says
Absolutely! Enjoy, Joan! My neighbor just gave me a homemade loaf, so I may need to make this soon!
Chris says
To me, the Cuban bread is what makes this unique but I think it would still be good with other options. I'd be interested in trying it with thick bread like Texas Toast. The frozen kind you just heat up in the oven. I think since it's buttered it would be good pressed and the flavor would go well with the sandwich ingredients.
Mark E says
I've been using Ciabatta from Panera. It's the only bread I've found that somewhat resembles authentic cuban bread, but even then, it's too dense.
Harald Wilke says
I’m glad that you posted the recipe for Cuban sandwiches. In South Florida, I became acquainted with some ready-made marinades, such as Mojo Criollo.
You may want to take a look.
Mike H. says
Thank you, Harald - I will.
Jeff Urban says
Can you just use a panini press with the grill plates?
Mike Hultquist says
Sure can, Jeff. Really any way to get a good grill and press. Enjoy!
Chris says
Yes you can Jeff. But if u do not want the panini lines just take some aluminum foil about 9 inches long and make 3-4 layers making a thick sheet for the top and the bottom of the panini maker. Turns out EXCELLENT!!
Don Wilson says
The big thing who's first Cuban's say they are, Key West say they are, Tampa people say they are, hmmmmm all have good case all are different. But I like the Tampa Bay one the best it has salami mojo sauce, my opinion I like the Tampa argument the best BUT there is no right or wrong. Of coarse I'm open for your opinion.:::::))))))loveya
Mike Hultquist says
Yes! Thanks, Don! I'll take any of them.
Mike says
Is there a recipe for the Pernil roast pork?
Mike Hultquist says
Mike, check out my Pernil recipe here: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/pernil/
Caleb Santos says
I love Cuban Sandwiches. Thanks for sharing. I will see about making my own.
Mike Hultquist says
Absolutely, enjoy!!
Century Foods says
Loved your recipe’s instructions on the cuban sandwich. Thanks for such amazing words.
Jérémie says
Great video Mike! Yummy! It made me want to make the cubano again and I regret having done it!
...in such small quantities!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Haha, thanks, Jérémie!
Kuzy says
Best cooking site ever!! Can’t wait to try this one too but where’s the heat?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Kuzy. This one isn't meant to be hot and spicy, but you can spice it up if you'd like! I included it on this site because it's just one of my very favorite things. Love it.
Kathy says
Do you make Cuban bread? And do you have a recipe for it?! Maybe a pepper or two!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I don't, Kathy, though I've been making more bread lately. Love it. I usually pick it up at my local grocer. Lucky for me they keep it in stock!
Shawn Standiford says
The Cuban sandwich is one of the most delicious sandwiches in the world. I like to use homemade bread-and-butter pickles, and I slow-cook the pork with orange juice, spices, chicken stock, garlic and onions. The aroma. Oh man.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Agreed! Kudos on the homemade pickles! Very nice.
Elba says
Merry Christmas Michael,
I'm cuban, and one incredient, people always forget is to add mortadella, not salami. All the ingredients you mentioned + mortadella, that is the way it was made in any restaurante/cafetería in Habana. Although I understand that cooking is an art that can be explored according to your taste. I like to keep my Cuban Sandwich original!
Merry Christmas Healthy & Prosperous New Year!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks so much, Elba. Merry Christmas. I haven't heard or read about anyone using mortadella in my research, but thanks for sharing and letting me know! I definitely want to try it now. Much appreciated!! Happy New Year to you as well.
Dustin says
it is really delicious, make sure to eat it, everything is great.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Dustin! I agree, super delicious!
Jérémie says
I love this one! nom nom nom!! Thanks Mike!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Jérémie. An American classic!
Chloe Mayfield says
I haven’t tried this yet but am going to soon. I’ve made red curry using your recipe, and it was so good! Definitely one of my go-tos!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I hope you enjoy it as much as the red curry recipe, Chloe! Thanks!
Laurie Van Unen says
I think I know what is for dinner tonight! Also, side note, continue to work on the last harvest of chile peppers. Trying fermentation for the first time! Love your site!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent, Laurie! Enjoy, and good luck with the harvest!