Home American Cubano (Cuban Sandwich)

Cubano (Cuban Sandwich)

Joe and Susie

January 2, 2023

5.0 from 2 votes

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What is a Cuban or Cuban sandwich? The Cubano is a delectable combination of pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on crunchy thin bread. In the pantheon of sandwiches, a case can be made for placing the Cubano on the Mount Rushmore of handheld sandwiches.

A Toast to Tradition: The Cubano, or Cuban Sandwich

Never had. Cubano? Imagine biting into warm, crusty Cuban bread with a golden-brown exterior then your senses turn to the flavors, textures and aroma of succulent pork, savory ham, and tangy pickles wafting up. The flavors dance on your tongue, a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, and tangy. The pork, slow-roasted to perfection, melts in your mouth, its richness balanced by the smoky ham and the sharp bite of the pickles. The Swiss cheese, oozing and gooey, adds a creamy richness that ties it all together.

Each bite of the Cuban sandwich is a journey through the culinary traditions of Cuba, a testament to the simple yet exquisite flavors that have captivated generations. It’s a sandwich that embodies the spirit of its homeland, a warm embrace of flavors that will leave you craving more

What is a Cubano?

Quite simply, the Cubano is a delectable combination of pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on crunchy thin bread. Many use pork shoulder as the base meat for the sandwich. Pork shoulder is extremely fatty and not our first choice. We prefer using leftover pork loin or tenderloin. They can be grilled, smoked or prepared in a conventional oven. Be sure to season well with plenty of garlic cilantro and Spanish seasonings. We plan to publish our pork loin recipe shortly and will link to this recipe.

Is a Cubano Healthy?

Many use pork shoulder which is quite fatty. We prefer smoking or grilling a pork loin which is much leaner, resulting in less fat and calories. Many ask, is there mayonnaise on a Cuban sandwich? Mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch or any other high fat condiments are not ingredients to this dish. Our version of using pork loin or tenderloin and avoiding pork shoulder reduces the fat content, making this a healthier option when preparing the sandwich.

What are the origins of the Cubano?

The origins of the Cuban sandwich point to Havana, Cuba. However, the sandwich as we know it, likely derived from Cuban immigrants in Florida. There are regional variations between Miami and Tampa where ham is substituted with salami. Notable is that both variations include signature American elements.

What do you serve with a Cuban Sandwich?

You can pair these with traditional sides such as a salad or fries. However, in our opinion, you need to stay with the Cuban theme and pair the Cubano with a bowl of traditional Cuban black bean soup. Click the link below for our simple recipe for this classic soup and pair it with this sandwich to create a taste of Havana in your kitchen.

Traditional Cuban Black Bean Soup
Difficulty: Easy
An authentic yet easy to make Cuban black bean soup.

Cuisine: Spanish

Traditional Cuban Black Bean Soup — Our traditional black bean soup

Another terrific option is to make Cubano’s for a gameday buffet or simple get together with friends. Show up with these and expect to be asked where you bought them from! When everyone asks for the recipe please consider passing along our little food blog.

How to make a Cuban sandwich

The best way to prepare this sandwich is using leftover pork. When we make a pork tenderloin, we always make sure we prepare enough to enjoy this amazing sandwich later in the week. Leftovers makes this simple to prepare. Click the link below for our pork loin recipe.

Citrusy Cuban Pork Loin.
Difficulty: Easy
A citrusy infused pork loin loaded with caribbean spices.

1 vote 5.0 Cuisine: Cuban

Starting with Spanish bread is most traditional however, many do not have access to a Spanish bakery. We have had great results using Naan bread which is easily found. Simply layer the pork on the bread, then ham, sliced pickles and swiss cheese. Lather bread with mustard and close the sandwich. Heat on a panini press and you have a Cubano.

Once you have the pork prepared, the sandwich is quite easy to prepare. Simply lay the pork on the bread of choice. Then top it with ham, pickles, Swiss cheese and mustard. Close the sandwich and place on a griddle in your kitchen or barbeque. A sandwich press is also an option. We ussually place a pot or pan on top of the sandwich as it cooks to compress it. Cook at medium temperature so that the inside warms and cheese will melt and the bread doesn’t burn. When brown flip. When both side are brown remove from griddle and enjoy!

Modifications to the sandwich include swapping out the ham for salami. We also love swapping the pickles for marinated banana peppers. Try each and let us know your favorite!

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