How to Make a Cuban Sandwich | Allrecipes

Nicole makes the best ever Cuban sandwich, pressed and toasted, buttery, Cuban bread layered with shredded pork, ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickle, and dressed with mustard and mayonnaise.

Ingredients
Roast Pork

1/2 white onion, cut into chunks

15 cloves garlic

3 oranges, juiced

3 limes, juiced

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 (5 pound) pork shoulder roast

Sandwiches
1/4 cup butter, softened, divided

1 loaf Cuban bread, cut into 4 pieces and halved lengthwise

2 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard

1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise

8 slices Swiss cheese

2 cups shredded roast pork

12 ounces thinly sliced deli ham

12 sandwich-sliced refrigerated kosher dill pickles, such as Claussen Kosher Dill Sandwich Slices

Directions
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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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[sherylgauthier]

Nicole I grew up in Tampa and I can tell you I would not eat a Cuban without mayo. We couldn't afford pork roast and used salami instead. I also love lettuce and tomato on my cuban sandwich. ❤❤😂

[CandyVincent-rs]

I love love how down to earth you are and how you enjoy being you Nicole 💞

[lbarmstrong]

OMG, we've discovered a little place in Marietta, GA that serves the best Cuban EVER and I've gotten hooked on their sandwiches. We go 1-2 times per week. I'm so excited to try this at home though. Nicole, I've never enjoyed cooking until I started watching your videos over the summer of 2024. Hoping to try all your recipes in our future "retirement" years! I just may become the cook my husband always wanted me to be, thanks to you!

[macbookpro]

i love you so much. you're the best. i make your recipes all the time and my husband is so happy eating all the foods i'm making. Allrecipes and we are so lucky to have you. god bless.

[Holmer]

I completely agree about the mayonnaise and mustard mixed. Love y’all’s recipes. Thanks 😊

[ReubenClough]

Outstanding. Making these on payday lol. I think I’ll have a Cuba Libre or two instead of the Mojito….🤩

[lesleywatkins]

I think I’m putting on weight watching you cook these wonderful dishes and cocktails! 😂

[maureenb]

Lived in the lower Keys for time. You could get some amazing Cubans that would blow your mind all up and down US one at Little mom and Pop shops places tucked away, places did even locals didn’t know existed, the woman that sold them out of her home kitchen until she sold out every day, quickly… have a press, have made them here in Maine, yes, yes… reverse snow bird. 🥺🥺 There’s no replacement for Cuban bread, but since we can’t get it, whatchagottamakedowith is perfect! Any time of year is perfect for me but get yer drift. Wicked wonderful way to make me hungry and homesick 🌴🌴🌞

[alfredoangueiraalvarez]

Ma'am you made my day, You got my Cuban pride simply delicious

[chaddnewman]

Getting ready to pick up Cubans and empanadas from the mom-n-pop place down the street. Great recipes!

[pamelaking]

Claussen pickles are so delicious! Thank you so much. You're always such a joy to watch! ❤

[thomasstone]

I made my wife come and watch this one. (I think she thinks I have a crush on you lofl) I wanted her to see you juice the lime the same way I do. That is the perfect bite. Thanx for the Cuban

[itiswhatitisitbewhatitbe]

Awesome video!!! Mojitos and Cuban sandwiches this weekend!!!

[melissamclaughlin]

I can't wait to make this❤❤❤the pork came out absolutely beautiful 😍 so delicious thank you so much 😍😍🤤❤I love your additide 😊😊😊🙏 keep being you, Be Amazing 🤩🤩😊❤

[lizrosentreter]

I once had a Cuban with garlic aioli... best thing

[beverlyhayshouston]

My son brought me a Cuban Sandwich yesterday from a restaurant called Babalu’s. It was fantastic.

[tbehnke]

Love ALWAYS. YOU ARE BEST. THANK YOU FOR MOJITO...I HAD IT WITH TEQUILA ONCE. SO GOOD. BUT MINE NOT AS GOOD. TY 4 ALL TIPS AND CRUNCHY DANCE

[PeggyParrish-sgeu]

This sounds fabulous. If you don't have the ingredients or time to make the mojo fresh, Goya makes a fabulous mojo marinade. Nicole's is probably a billion times better but the Goya is pretty dang good as a quicker recipe.

[Fridayyet]

I think we (all of us who watch your videos) have to make Cuban sandwiches and Mojotos first day of spring. 😊😊.

[rosaliaparrish]

grew up eating them! delicious. moved to the mid west, hard to find a good one. I guess I will be cooking my own.