Authentic Cubano Sandwich

Cubano Sandwich Cut and Stacked on Plate

A Cuban tradition, this sandwich is a great meal for a crowd and is indescribably delicious!

Course Pork

Cuisine Cuban

Keyword cubano, pork, sandwich

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 10

Additional Time 6

Total Time 6 35

Servings Sandwiches

Calories 533kcal

Author Barb

Ingredients

For the Pork

5 pounds boneless pork shoulder
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic peeled and gently smashed with the side of your knife
½ teaspoon dried red chili flakes
1 large onion sliced
1 ½ cup fresh orange juice
2 limes juiced
2 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves

To Make each Sandwich

1 Cuban or Subway style roll
Yellow mustard
Medium sliced Cuban pork
Thin sliced deli ham
2 slices Swiss cheese per sandwich
Bread and butter pickles
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Butter

Instructions

To Cook the Pork

Season the pork with salt, pepper, cumin and oregano. Add the olive oil to a Dutch oven and brown the pork on all sides.
At this point you can continue to cook in the Dutch oven or move the pork to a slow cooker.
Add garlic and chili flakes and stir until fragrant; add the onions and brown slightly before adding the pork, orange juice, lime juice, stock, and bay leaves.
Cook covered in a 300 degree oven until tender or on low heat for 4-6 hours in the crockpot.
When done allow to cool in juices before removing and slicing.

To Prepare Cubano Sandwiches

Split bread in half then layer the sandwich with mustard, cheese, pickles, ham, pork then cheese again.
Season with salt and pepper in between the ham and pork layers. Drizzle a little of the pork braising liquid over the meat as well.
Butter the press, place the sandwiches on the surface and press down firmly until the sandwich has compressed to about a third of its original size.
Cook the sandwiches about 5 minutes per side until browned and cheese has melted. They should be 'smushed' and crispy.

Notes

I used a Panini press to grill my sandwiches but if you don't have one, you can use a large cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat.

Butter the skillet, put in sandwiches and top with another buttered heavy skillet filled with heavy weights - cans of tomatoes work well; flip halfway through cooking.

Nutrition