Grilled New Cuban Sandwiches

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 01/23/23
Grilled New Cuban Sandwich

Chuck Kahn / EyeEm / Getty Images
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 6 mins
Total: 26 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
883 Calories
34g Fat
99g Carbs
46g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 883
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34g 43%
Saturated Fat 16g 79%
Cholesterol 96mg 32%
Sodium 2408mg 105%
Total Carbohydrate 99g 36%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 46g
Vitamin C 2mg 10%
Calcium 627mg 48%
Iron 8mg 46%
Potassium 586mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

You can use any two types of cheese or meat in this simple grilled sandwich recipe. What makes it 'Cuban' is the pressing of the sandwich as it cooks, and the combination of ingredients. Pickles, cheese, and several kinds of meat are typically used in this sandwich.

If you don't have a panini grill or George Foreman grill, place a heavy skillet on the sandwiches as they cook in a skillet, then turn, weight the sandwiches, and cook until golden.

You can also use whole wheat or sourdough bread in place of the French rolls or kaiser buns in this recipe. What makes it delicious is the combination of the crispbread with the melted cheese, tangy pickles, and tender meat.

The original Cuban sandwich is made of "French type bread, butter, mustard, Swiss cheese, pickles, honey-cured sweet ham, and pork shoulder" according to Fernando, who wrote to tell me about it.

Ingredients

  • 1 large Cuban loaf, cut into 4 sections (or 4 individual 7-inch loaves)

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

  • 1/4 cup mustard

  • 32 dill pickle slices

  • 4 slices leftover roast pork

  • 4 slices Swiss cheese

  • 4 slices deli ham

  • 4 slices provolone cheese

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat a panini grill, indoor grill, or waffle iron according to the product instructions.

  2. Spread the butter on the cut sides of rolls, then spread the mustard on them.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes until the sandwiches are crisp and hot and the cheese is melted. Cut in half and serve immediately.