What happens when roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard walk into a pressed baguette? You get the Cuban sandwich—a flavor-packed peace treaty between crunch and ooze. Born in Cuba, raised in Florida, and now freelancing in your lunchbox, this sandwich is so good it could negotiate world peace (but only if there’s extra pickle).

Warning: may cause sudden salsa dancing and an uncontrollable urge to yell “¡Delicioso!” after every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe

4 pieces Cuban bread or baguette slices
7 oz cooked pork or beef, thinly sliced
5.3 oz ham, thinly sliced
5.3 oz Edam or Gruyère cheese (or another melting cheese), sliced
4-6 pickle slices, thinly sliced
2 tbsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Spread mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice and mustard on the other side.

Step 2: On one half of the bread, layer the cooked pork, then ham, cheese, and pickles.

Step 3: Close the sandwich by folding the bread in half, ensuring the mayo and mustard sides are on the outside. Brush the outer sides of the bread with olive oil to prevent burning on the grill.

Step 4: Preheat the grill to medium heat.

Step 5: Place the sandwich on the grill and close the lid.

Step 6: Grill the sandwich for 3-4 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside melts.

Step 7: If necessary, press the sandwich with a grill press or a heavy object to ensure it cooks evenly and the cheese melts faster.

Step 8: Serve the Cuban sandwiches hot, sliced across for a better presentation.

Whether you’re Team Tampa or Team Miami (don’t start a food fight), one thing’s clear—the Cuban sandwich isn’t just a snack, it’s a stacked cultural icon. Crispy, cheesy, tangy, and meaty, it’s basically the Beyoncé of sandwiches: always in harmony, always stealing the show. So next time you’re hungry, skip the drama and press play on this flavor-packed legend. Long live the Cubano—may your grill marks always be perfect.

Cuban Sandwich

Discover the flavorful history and irresistible layers of the Cuban sandwich—a crispy, cheesy, meaty masterpiece that proves good things come pressed.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Cuban Sandwich

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 20

Servings 4

Ingredients

4 pieces Cuban bread or baguette slices
7 ounces pork or beef cooked and thinly sliced
5.3 ounces ham thinly sliced
5.3 ounces Edam or Gruyère cheese (or another melting cheese), sliced
4-6 pickle slices thinly sliced
2 Tbsp mustard yellow or Dijon
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Spread mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice and mustard on the other side.
On one half of the bread, layer the cooked pork, then ham, cheese, and pickles.
Close the sandwich by folding the bread in half, ensuring the mayo and mustard sides are on the outside. Brush the outer sides of the bread with olive oil to prevent burning on the grill.
Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Place the sandwich on the grill and close the lid.
Grill the sandwich for 3-4 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside melts.
If necessary, press the sandwich with a grill press or a heavy object to ensure it cooks evenly and the cheese melts faster.
Serve the Cuban sandwiches hot, sliced across for a better presentation.