Description
Enjoy the irresistible flavors of Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwiches, featuring tender, shredded pork marinated in citrus and spices, layered with Swiss cheese, ham, and crunchy pickles on crispy bread. Perfect for gatherings or a comforting meal at home!
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
- 1/2 lb. sliced Swiss cheese
- 1/2 lb. sliced deli ham
- 12 sandwich pickles, sliced lengthwise
- Yellow mustard
Instructions
- For the Pork:
- In a bowl, mix the orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker, fat side up, and pour the marinade over it.
- Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker, discard any fat, shred the pork with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker to soak up the juices. Set aside.
- For the Sandwiches:
- 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 them in half horizontally.
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter on the outside of each slice of bread and a generous amount of yellow mustard on the inside.
- Layer Swiss cheese, sliced ham, shredded pork, pickles, and more Swiss cheese on the bottom halves of the bread. Place the top half on each sandwich.
- Panini Press: Place sandwiches in the press and grill for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Cast Iron Skillet: Place the sandwich in the skillet, press down with another skillet or a foil-wrapped brick, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy and the cheese melts.
- Slice the sandwiches in half and serve with chips or a fresh salad and extra pickles.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of cayenne pepper.
- For extra flavor, consider adding additional spices or herbs to the pork marinade.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours