Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Cuban Sandwich
Crisp, buttered bread holds layers of citrus seasoned pork, smoky ham and melted Swiss in this generous sandwich. Pickles and mustard give the rich filling a tangy edge, making each pressed slice especially satisfying while the cheese is warm.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 110 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 15 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Pork
- Cuisine
- Cuban · Latin American
- Cooking method
- Grilling
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 16–30 minutes · Total: over 60 minutes
- Dish type
- Sandwiches
A few quick notes
1. Marinate the pork
Spoon the citrus marinade over the pork, cover and refrigerate for one to six hours before cooking.
2. Rest before slicing
Cook the pork to 145 degrees, then give it five minutes to rest before slicing it thinly.
3. Press while toasting
Use a heavier pan to press the sandwich as it cooks in butter until golden and the cheese melts.
Get to know the ingredients
Bread
Cuban bread is listed, with French or Italian bread allowed as alternatives for the sandwich loaf.
Swiss cheese
Divide the Swiss between a bottom layer beneath the meats and another layer over the pickles.
Pickles
Layer pickle chips over the pork and ham before adding the top cheese and mustard spread bread.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 10 steps completeMake room for Cuban Sandwich
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Cut after pressing
Once the bread is golden and the cheese is melted, cut each pressed sandwich in half before serving.
A little more help as you go
Panini press option
You can use a panini press instead of a weighted pan, following the press manufacturer instructions.
Mustard on top bread
Spread mustard on the top pieces of bread before closing the sandwiches for pressing in butter.
A few questions you might have
Can I use French bread?
Yes. French or Italian bread is listed as an alternative to Cuban bread for these sandwiches.
How long does the pork marinate?
Refrigerate the covered pork in its citrus marinade for at least one hour and up to six hours.
What temperature should the pork reach?
Cook it to 145 degrees internally, then rest five minutes before cutting the thin sandwich slices.
Can I use a panini press?
Yes. The directions offer a panini press, used according to its manufacturer instructions, as an alternative.
Where should I put the cheese?
Use half beneath the ham and pork, then put the rest over the pickles before closing the sandwiches.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: dinneratthezoo.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
