A Cuban sandwich, also known as a Cubano, is a popular sandwich that originated in Cuba. The traditional Cuban sandwich consists of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. It’s pressed and grilled to create a warm, gooey, and savory sandwich. Cuban sandwiches are a staple in Tampa, Florida and Miami, Florida due to the large Cuban populations in those cities. They have become popular across the United States and around the world. But what exactly makes up an authentic and traditional Cuban sandwich? Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients.
Roast Pork
The pork in a Cuban sandwich is typically a slow roasted pork shoulder. Pork shoulder, also called Boston butt, is an inexpensive cut of pork that becomes incredibly tender and juicy when slowly roasted for hours. Cuban-style roast pork has a subtle citrus flavor, often from marinating the pork in a mojo criollo marinade before roasting. Mojo criollo contains olive oil, sour orange juice, garlic, and spices.
The pork is sliced very thinly after it is roasted so that it will be easy to bite through all the layers of the sandwich. The slices of pork shoulder are placed on the bottom half of the Cuban bread, making it the first layer of the sandwich. The tender, flavorsome roasted pork sets the foundation for the rest of the sandwich.
Ham
The second main protein on a classic Cuban sandwich is ham. Specifically, a cured and cooked ham is used, such as a boiled ham. The ham is also sliced paper thin so that it is easy to sandwich between bread and alongside the other ingredients.
Cuban-style ham has a pleasant saltiness that balances the other components of the sandwich. Adding ham also contributes another layer of meaty texture and savory, salty taste. While the pork is unquestionably the star of the sandwich, the ham serves as a great supporting meat.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is the required cheese for an authentic Cuban sandwich. Swiss cheese has a distinctive flavor and smooth, slightly springy texture that pairs perfectly with the pork and ham.
Swiss cheese also melts very well, so it will get nicely gooey as it warms between the bread. This helps bind all the fillings together for excellent cohesion in each bite. Other cheeses, such as cheddar or provolone, are sometimes used but do not quite match the flavor profile or melting properties of Swiss.
Pickles
No Cuban sandwich is complete without pickles! The most traditional choice is to use sour dill pickle chips or slices. The briny tanginess and crunchy texture of the pickle slices cuts through the richness of the meat and cheese layers.
Pickles served alongside sandwiches is common in many cuisines, but Cubans took the concept up a notch by layering them right on their signature sandwich. The pickles must be placed on the sandwich before pressing and grilling it so that the pickles soften slightly and infuse their flavor into the bread and other ingredients.
Mustard
Mustard is the final key ingredient in a traditional Cuban sandwich. The mustard is spread onto both pieces of bread to add another layer of tangy flavor and help the exterior bread get nicely toasted. Cubans use a standard American yellow mustard for their sandwiches.
The mustard’s creamy texture and mild spicy flavor complements the pork and ham perfectly. The zip of the mustard brings all the sandwich components together into well-balanced bliss. Some versions may omit mustard or use it sparingly, but a slathering of mustard on both bread slices is considered traditional and essential.
Cuban Bread
Of course, a Cuban sandwich needs Cuban bread! This bread is a crucial component that distinguishes the sandwich from other hot pressed sandwiches. Cuban bread has a unique soft and airy interior beneath a thin, crackly crust. This special bread is able to soak up the juices and flavors from the sandwich fillings while providing a satisfying crunch.
Cuban bread starts with a fairly straightforward dough of flour, water, yeast, salt, and a bit of shortening. The loaves are elongated with tapered ends. It is the baking process that gives the bread its signature characteristics. Cuban bread is baked in large pans so the dough can expand freely into a puffy elongated shape. A boiling hot oven and steam at the beginning of baking is also key. This causes the bread to rapidly expand and then form a hardened outer crust while the inside remains light and soft. Proper Cuban bread is essential to make the quintessential Cuban sandwich.
Assembling the Cuban Sandwich
Now that we’ve covered all the integral components – roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and Cuban bread – let’s discuss the right way to assemble them into sandwich form. Here are the layers from bottom to top:
- Slice a loaf of Cuban bread lengthwise to create a top and bottom half.
- Spread yellow mustard on the inside of both bread halves.
- Layer the sliced roast pork on the bottom half of the bread.
- Lay the ham slices over the pork.
- Place Swiss cheese slices over the ham so the cheese covers all the meat.
- Arrange a layer of pickle slices on top of the cheese.
- Optional – add more mustard if desired.
- Place the top half of the bread over the pickles to complete the sandwich.
Once assembled, the Cuban sandwich is ready to be pressed. Traditional presses clamp the sandwich to flatten it down and get the fillings warmed through. The sandwich can then be grilled in the press on both sides until the bread is toasted and the cheese is fully melted. Let’s take a deeper look at these important finishing steps.
Pressing the Cuban Sandwich
After assembling the sandwich, it is pressed down firmly. This compacts all the layers into a cohesive, portable sandwich. Pressing also heats and slightly softens the ingredients so flavors mingle. Applying weight aids in melding the fillings together into a unifed mass within the bread.
Traditionally, this was accomplished by placing the sandwich in a sandwich press known as a plancha. Planchas are still commonly used both in commercial Cuban restaurants and by home cooks. These hinged cooking presses clamp down on the sandwich. They allow heat and pressure to be applied evenly across both sides.
If you don’t have a plancha press, you can still compress the sandwich using whatever you have on hand. Options include placing a heavy pan on top of the sandwich, pressing down with foil-covered bricks, or even squeezing firmly with your hands. The more even pressure applied, the better the sandwich will hold together.
Grilling the Cuban Sandwich
The last vital step is grilling the pressed sandwich on both sides until golden brown and crusty. Grilling achieves two things:
- It warms the interior so all the cheeses and meats reach hot, melting temperatures.
- It toasts and crisps up the bread exterior.
Grilling adds wonderful texture and creates irresistible aromas that complete the Cuban sandwich experience. With a sandwich press, grilling happens automatically as the hot plates cook the top and bottom simultaneously. If you don’t have a press, you can grill the sandwich in a skillet, on a griddle, or even an outdoor grill.
Just place the flattened sandwich into the preheated pan or grill and cook each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown with visibly melted cheese peeking out. Don’t forget to press down on the top while grilling! Then slice down the middle and enjoy your authentic Cuban sandwich.
Variations
The traditional Cuban sandwich has the basic ingredients as described above. However, restaurants and home cooks often add some additional touches. Here are some common additions and Cuban sandwich variations:
Salami – Many versions add a slice of salami alongside the pork and ham. Salami adds another meaty texture and a touch more saltiness.
Sopressata – For a spicy twist, some use Italian cured sopressata sausage instead of or in addition to ham.
Provolone cheese – Provolone may be combined with Swiss or used instead of Swiss for its smooth melting properties and mild flavor.
Garlic mayo – Spreading garlic mayonnaise on the bread is an excellent upgrade. The creamy garlic flavor perfectly complements the pork.
Jalapeños – For some heat, you can add sliced or chopped jalapeño peppers alongside the pickles.
Lettuce and tomato – For extra freshness, some add shredded lettuce and sliced tomato. This gives the sandwich a lighter, fresher taste.
History of the Cuban Sandwich
While the Cuban sandwich is now a favorite in the United States, its origins can be traced back to Cuba. There are a few theories and legends around the creation of this iconic sandwich:
- One account credits Cuban immigrant workers in Florida’s cigar factories in the late 1800s. These workers needed hearty, filling lunches and the early version of the Cubano was born.
- Others attribute the sandwich’s invention to cafes in Cuba’s capital city of Havana in the early 1900s. As American influence grew in Cuba during this period, so did the popularity of hot pressed sandwiches.
- Some food historians point to the lesser-known “sandwich de miga” – a 19th century Cuban pressed sandwich with ham, cheese, and butter. This early sandwich may have evolved into the more elaborate Cubanos we know today.
While its exact beginnings are uncertain, the Cuban sandwich grew in popularity in Cuban communities in Florida through the first half of the 1900s. It was a favored meal among Cuban restaurant owners and workers. The sandwich gained more mainstream fame after new waves of Cuban immigrants arrived in Florida during the 1960s and 1970s following the Cuban revolution.
The Cubano became entrenched in Miami and Tampa restaurant menus and culture. It has since spread well beyond those cities, but Tampa and Miami remain meccas for excellent, authentic Cuban sandwiches today.
Cuban Sandwich Culture
Part of what makes the Cuban sandwich so special is the culture that surrounds it. Here are some interesting facts about the Cuban sandwich phenomenon:
- In Tampa, which claims to be the Cuban sandwich’s true birthplace and capital, the ingredients and preparation are so serious that the city created the Cuban Sandwich Alliance to establish “authentic” guidelines.
- Miami hosts an annual Cuban Sandwich Festival where restaurants compete to make the best Cubano.
- September 23 is National Cuban Sandwich Day in the U.S. as a way to celebrate this sandwich’s cultural significance.
- Press sandwiches similar to Cubanos can also be found in Cuban communities in New Orleans, New York City, and Puerto Rico.
- Both Tampa and Miami have unofficial “Cuban sandwich crawls” featuring the best traditional versions from popular spots.
- Food Network featured a Cuban vs. Italian grilled sandwich challenge between chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Alex Guarnaschelli.
- On vacations to Cuba, Cuban-American tourists will sometimes bring the ingredients to make real Cuban sandwiches for their families.
The Cuban sandwich has also appeared in pop culture over the years. For example:
- On the cartoon sitcom King of the Hill, Hank Hill becomes obsessed with introducing Texas to the Cuban sandwich.
- In the action movie Bad Boys II, Detectives Lowrey and Burnett discuss their favorite Cuban hangouts in Miami while eating Cubano sandwiches.
- The main character Ignatius in John Kennedy Toole’s picaresque novel A Confederacy of Dunces consistently raves about the Cuban sandwiches sold by street vendor Parasol’s in New Orleans.
From its inception in Cuba to its beloved status today, the Cuban sandwich has certainly left its mark!
Where to Find the Best Cuban Sandwiches
If you want to sink your teeth into an truly awesome Cuban sandwich, consider visiting or ordering from one of these spots:
Tampa, Florida
- La Segunda Central Bakery – a historic Tampa bakery serving authentic Cuban bread and sandwiches for over 100 years
- Brocato’s – renowned for their thin-sliced pork pressed on special coal-fired presses
- Columbia Restaurant – this local chain restaurant has perfected the traditional Cubano with excellent attention to detail
Miami, Florida
- Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop – a hole-in-the-wall serving massive, no-frills Cubans since 1971
- Sanguich de Miami – focused on classic Cuban sandwiches made with pork roasted in-house daily
- Versailles Restaurant – a Little Havana institution known for plump, flavorful Cubanos
Other Cities
- Paseo’s Famous #1 in Oklahoma City, OK – this tiny shop only serves Cubanos and they are considered some of the best in the country
- Cafecito in Chicago, IL – excellent Cuban sandwiches and breakfast fare in the Windy City’s Logan Square neighborhood
- Gaspar’s Grotto in Tampa, FL – creative takes on the Cuban along with traditional versions at this casual eatery
So for your next Cuban food experience, grab an authentic and mouthwatering Cubano from one of these spots. Just don’t forget plenty of napkins – these sandwiches can get messy!
How to Make Your Own Cuban Sandwich at Home
Want to recreate the magic of this incredible sandwich at home? Here is a simple recipe and directions:
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Cuban bread or baguette, sliced lengthwise
- Yellow mustard
- 4 oz sliced roast pork
- 2 oz sliced ham
- 2 slices Swiss cheese
- 5-6 dill pickle slices
Directions
- Spread mustard on one side of each bread half.
- Layer the pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles on the bottom half of the bread.
- Top with the other bread half, mustard-side down.
- Press the sandwich firmly with a pan or your hands until flattened.
- Heat up a skillet or sandwich press. Cook the sandwich on both sides until the bread is toasted and the cheese melts, about 5 minutes per side.
- Cut in half diagonally and serve!
Making it at home lets you customize with your favorite variations. Consider adding garlicky mayo, extra pickles, salami, or sautéed onions. Serve with traditional sides like mojo-marinated black beans and rice, fried plantains, or yuca fries. Enjoy this taste of Cuba in your own kitchen!
Nutrition Information
Here are the nutrition facts for a typical Cuban sandwich based on the basic traditional ingredients:
Calories: 485
Fat: 24g
Carbs: 43g
Protein: 25g
The high calorie and fat content comes primarily from the pork, ham, cheese, and Cuban bread. However, the sandwich provides substantial protein as well. You can reduce the fat and calories by using lower fat meats, lighter cheese, and less mayonnaise-type spreads.
While certainly an indulgent sandwich, the Cuban sandwich does offer more nutrition than many other hot sandwiches. The varied ingredients provide vitamins and minerals like:
- Iron – from the pork and ham
- Calcium – from the Swiss cheese
- Sodium – from the cured meats and cheese
- Fiber – from the bread and pickles
- Vitamin C – from the citrus marinade
So savor the Cuban sandwich occasionally as a special, protein-packed treat! Moderation is key to maintain healthy nutrition while still enjoying this scrumptious sandwich.
Conclusion
The Cuban sandwich, also called a Cubano, stands out for its savory layers of thinly sliced pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed between crisp Cuban bread. This iconic sandwich was invented in Cuba or Cuban communities in Florida in the late 1800s or early 1900s. While the exact origins are unclear, the Cuban sandwich became entrenched in Tampa and Miami restaurant menus for decades.
Today the Cubano has gained popularity across the U.S. and beyond as a favorite Cuban food. The traditional preparation, cult following, and cultural connections give this sandwich significance beyond just a meal. With its satisfying pressed and grilled flavors, the Cuban sandwich has certainly earned its status as a cherished fixture in Cuban cuisine.