Description
Savor the flavors of Cuba with these slow-cooked Cuban sandwiches, featuring tender, marinated pork, Swiss cheese, deli ham, and tangy pickles, all grilled to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Pork:
- 4–5 lbs. pork shoulder or butt roast
- Juice from 2 oranges
- Juice from 2 limes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. cumin
- 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- For the Sandwiches:
- 2 Cuban bread loaves or Italian bread loaves
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 1 lb. sliced Swiss cheese
- 1 lb. sliced deli ham
- 12 sandwich pickles, sliced lengthwise
- Yellow mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
- Cook the Pork: Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker with the fat side facing up. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring it is well coated. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Shred the Pork: Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker, discard any fat, and skim the juices. Shred the pork using two forks and return it to the slow cooker to soak up the flavorful cooking juices. Set aside.
- Prepare the Bread: Preheat a panini press to medium heat or place a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Trim the ends off each loaf of bread and cut the loaves in half horizontally.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a thin layer of softened butter on the outside of each slice of bread. On the inside, spread a generous amount of yellow mustard. Layer the bottom halves of the bread with Swiss cheese, sliced ham, shredded pork, pickles, and another layer of Swiss cheese. Place the top half of the bread on the sandwiches. Repeat until all sandwiches are assembled.
- Grill the Sandwiches:
- If using a panini press, place the sandwiches in the preheated press and close the lid. Grill for 3-5 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
- If using a cast iron skillet, place the sandwich into the preheated skillet. Use another heavy skillet or a foil-wrapped brick to press down the sandwich. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, pressing down firmly, until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Slice the sandwiches in half and serve. Enjoy with a side of chips or a fresh salad and additional pickles.
Notes
Feel free to customize the sandwich with extra toppings or different types of bread!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours