In the culinary world, few things are as satisfying as the combination of flavors and textures found in a classic grilled Cuban sandwich. With its savory combination of roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles, all pressed between buttery, golden-brown Cuban bread, a Cuban sandwich is a symphony of flavors. Whether you're a seasoned sandwich connoisseur or new to the world of grilled sandwiches, this guide will provide you with the essential steps and tips to create the perfect grilled Cuban sandwich, transporting you to the vibrant streets of Havana with every bite.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
GRILLED CUBANO SANDWICH
When you think of the classic flavors of a Cubano sandwich, you think spicy mustard, tangy pickles and succulent pieces of pork. In this recipe we marinate pork tenderloin in yellow mustard and pickle juice so those bold flavors penetrate the meat. Pressing the sandwich onto the grill with a weight guarantees that the bread gets nice and toasty and the cheese is completely melted.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cut the pork tenderloin in half crosswise with a sharp knife, creating two 5-inch-long pieces. Make a vertical cut down the middle of each piece, about 3/4 of the way through. Open the pieces like a book. Lay them cut-side down on a piece of plastic wrap, cover with another piece and use a meat mallet to lightly pound the pork to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Add the pork, 1/4 cup of the yellow mustard, olive oil, pickle brine and garlic to a quart- or gallon-size resealable bag. Close the bag, and rub the marinade into the pork. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare a grill or large grill pan for medium-high heat.
- Once the pork has marinated for 30 minutes, transfer it to a plate, shaking off any excess marinade. Lightly oil the grill grates with vegetable oil. Sprinkle both sides of the pork liberally with salt and pepper, and grill until charred on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium doneness. Transfer the pork a cutting board, and let it rest for 5 minutes. Reduce the grill heat to medium. Slice the pork across the grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Brush the outside of the Cuban loaf with the butter, and lay the loaf halves cut-side up on a very long piece of aluminum foil. Mix the remaining tablespoon yellow mustard with the mayonnaise, and slather the mixture onto both pieces of bread. Layer the ham, pickles, pork and Swiss cheese on one half of the bread. Top with the other half, and wrap the sandwich up in the foil.
- Put the sandwich on the grill, place a large baking sheet on top and weigh it down with a large cast-iron pan or 2 large cans of food. Grill for 5 minutes, remove the baking sheet and weight, flip the sandwich, weigh it down again and grill until the Swiss cheese has melted, about 5 minutes more.
- Unwrap the sandwich, cut into 4 pieces and serve immediately.
GRILLED CUBAN SANDWICH (SANDWICH CUBANO)
Editor's note: Chef, nutritionist, and cooking teacher Lourdes Castro shared this recipe from her cookbook, Latin Grilling. It's part of a festive Cuban party menu she created for Epicurious and a great way to use up leftover grilled pork . As soon as someone finds out about my Cuban background, a Cuban sandwich question is never far away. It's no wonder, since Cuban sandwiches have recently popped up on menus all over the country. While many have gotten close to re-creating the real thing, I feel most miss the mark. So here is a step-by-step guide to creating an authentic sandwich Cubano. This is also a great way to use up the leftovers from your Cuban pig roast!
Provided by Lourdes Castro
Categories Sandwich Cheese Pork Father's Day Backyard BBQ Dinner Lunch Ham Summer Grill Grill/Barbecue Swiss Cheese Sandwich Theory Sugar Conscious Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Serves 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Assemble the sandwich
- Spread 2 tablespoons of the butter on one half of the bread loaf and a thin layer of mustard on the other. Place 1 to 2 layers of ham, pork, cheese, and, finally, pickles on the buttered bread and top with the mustard-spread bread.
- Wrap the sandwich in foil
- Smear the remaining butter all over the outside of the sandwich and wrap it completely in aluminum foil.
- Press and grill the sandwich
- Heat your grill to high (550°F) and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the heat to medium-high (450°F) and continuing.
- Before grilling the sandwich, press down on it with your hands to flatten it. Place the wrapped, flattened sandwich on the grill and top with a brick, grill press, or any other heavy, heat-resistant object. Close the lid and grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side.
- Remove the wrapped sandwich from the grill and take off the foil. Return the sandwich to the grill and grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until both pieces of bread are crispy and golden brown.
- Slice and serve
- Remove the sandwich from the grill and cut at an angle into small sandwich wedges (triangles). Place on a large platter and serve while still hot.
GRILLED NEW CUBAN SANDWICHES
Grilled Cuban sandwiches are delicious and hearty pressed sandwiches made with dill pickle relish, swiss cheese, and ham and turkey breast.
Provided by Linda Larsen
Categories Sandwiches
Time 26m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat a panini grill, indoor grill, or waffle iron according to the product instructions.
- Spread the butter on the cut sides of rolls, then spread the mustard on them.
- Make sandwiches using the coated split rolls, using the pickles, Swiss, ham, Provolone, and roast pork, layering in the order provided in the ingredient list.
- Place each sandwich on the grill (or grill more than one at a time if your grill allows it) close the cover, and press down if necessary, using a kitchen towel or oven mitt to shield your hand.
- Grill for 4 to 5 minutes until the sandwiches are crisp and hot and the cheese is melted. Cut in half and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 883 kcal, Carbohydrate 99 g, Cholesterol 96 mg, Fiber 5 g, Protein 46 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, Sodium 2408 mg, Sugar 9 g, Fat 34 g, ServingSize 4 sandwiches (4 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
GRILLED CUBAN PORK PRESSED SANDWICHES
With pork, ham and cheese, paninis satisfy hearty appetites!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Between pieces of plastic wrap, gently pound pork with flat side of meat mallet until very thin. Place in glass baking dish. In small bowl, mix dressing, lime peel and oregano. Spread over pork; turn pork to coat. Let stand while heating contact grill.
- Heat closed medium-size contact grill for 5 minutes. Position drip tray to catch drippings. Place pork on grill. Close grill; cook 5 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Meanwhile, place cheese on cut sides of roll bottoms; top with ham, pleating to fit. Spread mustard and pickle relish on cut sides of bun tops. Place grilled pork on ham; place roll tops, relish sides down, on pork. Press down firmly on tops of sandwiches (sandwiches are thick).
- Carefully wipe off grill plates; spray with cooking spray. Place sandwiches on grill. Carefully close grill so tops of rolls don't slip off sandwiches. Gently press top of grill until sandwiches are compressed. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until rolls are toasted and cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 430, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 35 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize 1 Sandwich, Sodium 1740 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 1 g
GRILLED TURKEY CUBAN SANDWICHES
Categories Sandwich Cheese turkey Thanksgiving Back to School Mayonnaise Mint Fall Swiss Cheese Bon Appétit
Yield Makes 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise and chili sauce in small bowl. Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, mint, and next 4 ingredients in another small bowl.
- Spread chili mayonnaise over cut sides of bread. Top each bottom half of bread with 1 cheese slice, ham slices, and 1 turkey slice. Sprinkle turkey with salt and pepper. Spoon mint mayonnaise over turkey. Top with remaining cheese and top halves of bread.
- Working in batches, melt 2 tablespoons butter in large griddle over medium heat. Add 3 sandwiches; top with piece of foil. Place 13x9x2-inch metal pan atop sandwiches. Fill pan with 6 to 8 pounds of canned goods and cook until bread is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove pan with weights and foil. Transfer sandwiches to work surface. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in griddle. Turn sandwiches over onto griddle. Replace foil and pan with weights. Continue cooking until cheese melts and sandwiches are golden brown on second side, about 4 minutes. Repeat with remaining butter and sandwiches. Cut in half; serve.
GRILLED TURKEY CUBAN SANDWICHES
Grilled turkey breast, ham, cheese and pickles in a panini-style sandwich.
Provided by Butterball
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Butterball®
Time 2h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Spray cold grate of outdoor gas grill with cooking spray. Prepare grill for medium indirect heat.
- Remove turkey from package. Dry with paper towels. Discard gravy packet or refrigerate for another use (within 2 - 3 days). Lift string netting and shift position on roast for easier removal after cooking. Cut small slits, at least 1 inch apart, over entire surface of turkey. Insert 1 garlic slice into each slit. Brush turkey with oil.
- Combine cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over turkey.
- Place turkey on grill grate over drip pan. Cover grill with lid. Grill 1 1/4 to 1-3/4 hours, or until meat thermometer reaches 170 degrees F when inserted into center of roast. Remove from grill. Let stand 10 minutes.
- Remove string netting. Cut half of the turkey into six 1/8-inch-thick slices. Set aside. Refrigerate unsliced turkey for another use.
- Cut each bread loaf lengthwise in half. Then, cut each into 3 pieces (for 6 sandwiches). Spread the bottom half of each section with 2 teaspoons mustard. Top with the sliced turkey, ham, cheese and pickles. Cover with tops of bread loaves. Press sandwiches with hands to flatten. Tightly wrap individually in aluminum foil.
- Place wrapped sandwiches on grill grate. Top each with heavy iron skillet or brick. Grill 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until heated through.
- Serve sandwiches warm, wrapped in aluminum foil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1066 calories, Carbohydrate 95.1 g, Cholesterol 202.4 mg, Fat 34.4 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 91.6 g, SaturatedFat 12.9 g, Sodium 2711.5 mg, Sugar 7.8 g
GRILLED SANDWICHES (CUBAN STYLE)
My version of Cuban sandwiches. I used Barb Gertz's Recipe #56080 in the sandwiches and they came out fabulous! This is a hearty sandwich thats crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. The pickles are a must!
Provided by Rita1652
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the griddle.
- Add mustard to one side and mayonnaise to to the other cut side of the rolls.
- Build each sandwich with the roasted turkey, pork, cheese, and pickles.
- Spread outside of roll with butter.
- Place the sandwich on the hot griddle, cover with a cookie sheet, and place heavy iron skillet or sandwich press to flatten.
- Grill the sandwich for a few minutes on each side.
- Slice in half diagonally and serve.
GRILLED CUBAN SANDWICH
Once I made Cuban bread needed to find an authentic Cuban Sandwich recipe, it's mostly a fancy ham and cheese sandwich served on a Cuban Bread. Found this one on epicurious.com and it's simple and good
Provided by Bonnie G 2
Categories Ham
Time 20m
Yield 8 sandwiches, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Assemble the sandwich.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of the butter on one half of the bread loaf and a thin layer of mustard on the other. Place 1 to 2 layers of ham, pork, cheese, and, finally, pickles on the buttered bread and top with the mustard-spread bread.
- Wrap the sandwich in foil.
- Smear the remaining butter all over the outside of the sandwich and wrap it completely in aluminum foil.
- Press and grill the sandwich.
- Heat your grill to high (550°F) and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the heat to medium-high (450°F) and continuing.
- Before grilling the sandwich, press down on it with your hands to flatten it. Place the wrapped, flattened sandwich on the grill and top with a brick, grill press, or any other heavy, heat-resistant object. Close the lid and grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side.
- Remove the wrapped sandwich from the grill and take off the foil. Return the sandwich to the grill and grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until both pieces of bread are crispy and golden brown.
- Slice and serve.
- Remove the sandwich from the grill and cut at an angle into small sandwich wedges (triangles). Place on a large platter and serve while still hot.
- NOTES:.
- The loaf sandwich can be prepared and wrapped in foil a few hours in advance. Press and grill right before serving.
- Instead of plan mustard I like to mix mustard, mayonnaise and some cayenne pepper together to give it a little more flavor.
Tips:
- Use high-quality bread that can hold up to the fillings and won't get soggy. Cuban bread or a sturdy sourdough are good options.
- Spread a thin layer of butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread to help it brown and crisp up nicely.
- Don't overload the sandwich with fillings or it will be difficult to eat and may fall apart.
- Use a panini press or a heavy skillet to cook the sandwich so that it gets evenly browned and the cheese melts.
- Serve the sandwich immediately with your favorite sides, such as chips, salad, or fruit.
Conclusion:
The Cuban sandwich is a delicious and versatile sandwich that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, it's a great sandwich for beginners and experienced cooks alike. So next time you're looking for a quick and satisfying meal, give the Cuban sandwich a try!
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