Cuban Sandwich Sliders • Recipe for Perfection (2024)

FAQs

What makes a Cuban sandwich special? ›

A traditional Cuban sandwich is layered with ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard – there's no lettuce, tomato, or mayo on this baby. As with any dish, the better the ingredients, the better the sandwich – this becomes even more imperative with fewer ingredients.

The combination of flavorful, juicy pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and Cuban bread makes this dish an undeniable hit. Although versions vary, the essential ingredient is the roasted pork, traditionally marinated in a mojo sauce redolent with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, oregano, and cumin.

Tampa's version includes salami, and it might have a swipe of mayo, depending on who's making it. Each city uses differently-shaped bread. Those are about the only substantive differences. Now, most food historians agree the sandwich was invented in Tampa's Ybor City, but that's not the end of our story.

Pan con lechón is a traditional sandwich originating from Cuba, but it's also very popular in Miami. This pressed sandwich is made with Cuban bread, lechón roasted pork, butter, onions, and mojo sauce.

The Cuban sandwich, better known as a Cubano, begins with soft, slightly sweet Cuban bread. Heaps of heavily seasoned pork roast and sliced ham alternating between layers of Swiss cheese and sour pickles. The sandwich is cemented together with yellow mustard and a garlic butter schmear.

The Cuban sandwich is at the center of a long-running friendly rivalry between Miami and Tampa. As part of that rivalry, the "Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich" was designated the "signature sandwich of the city of Tampa" by the Tampa City Council in 2012.

Cuban sandwich fun fact

While an early cousin of the Cuban sandwich was born in Cuba proper, the Cuban sandwich as we know it today originated in Tampa, Florida's cigar-producing neighborhood of Ybor City in the late 1800s (then known as Cigar City, the “cigar capital of the world”) and caught on by the early 1900s.

The ingredient that is not part of a typical Cuban sandwich is chorizo. A traditional Cuban sandwich typically includes pickles, cheese, and pork. Chorizo is not typically included in a traditional Cuban sandwich.

#13 JIMMY CUBANO®

BACON, HAM & PROVOLONE, pickle, mayo & yellow mustard. 490 - 710 | 1440 cal. Our version of the famous Cuban sandwich, the Jimmy Cubano® is made with applewood smoked bacon, hand-sliced smoked ham and provolone cheese. Customize with any of your favorite Freebies or Add-ons.

Does salami belong in Cuban sandwiches? ›

Cut Cuban bread in half lengthwise. Layer sliced meats and cheese in the following order: ham, pork, salami and then cheese. Place pickle chips evenly on top. Spread mustard on top half of bread.

If you live near a Latino bakery, you will probably be able to find Cuban breads. Lacking these, the best substitute for pan cubano is the long, soft French or Italian breads you find at the supermarket (a high-quality bakery baguette is too crusty). Challah or brioche makes a good substitute for pan suave.

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.

Jai Alai's super citrusy hop cut dovetails with the citrusy pork marinade and plays nicely off of salty ham. Or you could try Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale to reinforce the rich Maillard induced flavors of deeply browned grilled pork. Think of fresh bright styles of both white and red wine to pair with your Cubano.

This pressed sandwich is a South Florida staple, and features sliced Cuban roast pork, sliced sweet ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickle chips, and yellow mustard, served on buttered and pressed Cuban bread.

They came to work in the cigar factories and a vibrant Cuban community formed in Ybor City. The Cuban sandwich became popular among working-class residents in Tampa. Since it was so affordable and delicious, it became a favorite meal for many.

While the ingredients to make Cuban bread are not out of the ordinary, it's the process that makes the bread so unique. Palmetto leaves are an important step during the process of making Cuban bread. They lay flat on top of the bread while it bakes to a crisp. This helps to keep the moisture inside.

Cuban cuisine is largely based on Spanish cuisine with influence from Taino, African and other Caribbean cuisines. Some Cuban recipes share spices and techniques with Spanish, Taino and African cooking, with some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor. This results in a blend of several different cultural influences.