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.

While salami is not added to a South Florida Cuban sandwich, in Tampa, Genoa salami is traditionally layered with the other meats, probably due to the influence of Italian immigrants who lived side by side with Cubans and Spaniards in Ybor City at the beginning of the 20th century.

It's packed with flavorful meats and cheeses, served on crusty herbed bread and is readily available. Locals count on it and travelers look for its deliciousness to add to their hungry bellies and Instagram® feeds. Be it from south or west Florida, an authentic Cuban sandwich packs quite a punch.

The difference between the two Cubano variations is minimal. Both Miami and Tampa versions share the classic Cubano structure discussed above of Cuban bread, ham, Cuban roast pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles, but the Tampa version features a layer of Genoa salami, the Miami version does not.

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.

To prepare Cuban sandwiches, split bread in half then layer the sandwich with mustard, cheese, pickles, ham, pork then cheese again (the cheese glues everything together). Season with salt and pepper in between the ham and pork layers. (Optional: drizzle a little of the pork braising liquid over the meat as well).

Ybor City, Tampa

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Ybor City saw a huge influx of immigrants from Cuba. 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.

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.

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.

Which ingredient is not part of a typical Cuban sandwich? ›

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.

Spanish speakers called it a mixto, because of the mixed meats. English speakers called it a Cuban, because that's who they saw eating it. Most Cubans who still live in Cuba have never experienced the satisfaction of a Cuban sandwich.

Spread mustard on six halves of the bread. Spread mayonnaise on the other six halves of the bread. Layer ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and salami on the mustard halves of the bread. Layer pickles on top of salami; top with mayo halves of bread.

The traditional cheese used on a Cuban sandwich is Swiss cheese. Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese that has a mild, nutty flavor and a slightly sweet taste. It melts well and pairs nicely with the other ingredients in a Cuban sandwich, such as roasted pork, ham, mustard, and pickles.

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.

Cuban cuisine offers a harmonious blend of flavors, combining savory, sweet, and tangy tastes. The cuisine is known for its robust spices, including cumin, oregano, garlic, and bay leaves, which add depth and aroma to many dishes.