This easy Cuban sandwich recipe (also called a Cubano) is everything we love about a classic pressed sandwich complete with melty Swiss cheese, savory pork, smoky ham, tangy pickles, and mustard. We're making this simple enough for a weeknight at home.
This recipe requires no special equipment, no hard-to-find ingredients, and no trip to a Cuban bakery. Whether you’re using leftover pork or grabbing a shortcut from the deli, this Cubano delivers big flavor with very little effort.
If you love hot, pressed sandwiches that feel restaurant-worthy but cook up fast, this one’s a keeper!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cuban Sandwich
- Uses simple grocery store ingredients - one of the cornerstones of my recipes
- Is a perfect use for leftover pork loin or pork tenderloin
- Cooks up crispy on the outside, melty on the inside
- Easily made using a skillet, griddle pan, or panini press
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Cuban Sandwich
- What Is a Cuban Sandwich?
- 🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 🥣 How to Make an Easy Cuban Sandwich At Home
- How to Press a Cuban Sandwich Without a Panini Press
- Easy Variations & Swaps
- 🍽 What to Serve with a Cuban Sandwich
- How to Store & Reheat Cuban Sandwiches
- FAQs
- Related
- Pairing
- Recipe
What Is a Cuban Sandwich?
A Cuban sandwich, aka Cubano, is a pressed sandwich traditionally made with:
- Roast pork
- Ham
- Swiss cheese
- Dill pickles
- Mustard
It’s pressed until hot, crispy, and melty. While classic versions use Cuban bread and a sandwich press, this easy Cuban sandwich recipe is designed for home kitchens using tools you already have.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bread - You can use Cuban bread, hoagie rolls, ciabatta rolls or French bread
- Deli ham - leftover Easter ham works, too!
- Cooked pork - this is a great use for leftover roast pork or pulled pork
- Swiss cheese
- Dill pickles
- Yellow mustard
- Butter or oil for pressing
- butter or oil - for greasing the pan
Tip: Your family will never know this is a leftover recipe plus there's no reheating of a full meal required!
See recipe card for quantities.
🥣 How to Make an Easy Cuban Sandwich At Home
Preheat a skillet (I like to use a cast iron one, if available) over medium high heat.
- Step 1: Build the Sandwich. Layer mustard, mayo, ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles on sliced bread.
- Step 2: Butter the Outside. Lightly butter the outside of the bread for maximum crispiness.
- Step 3: Press Until Golden. Cook in a skillet, on a griddle, or in a panini press until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted, pressing the sandwiches with a spatula or other weighted skillet on top.
- Step 4: Slice & Serve. Cut into pieces and serve warm.
How to Press a Cuban Sandwich Without a Panini Press
Kitchen storage is at a premium around here so this recipes requires no fancy equipment.
- Use a cast iron skillet and press with another heavy pan
- Wrap a brick in foil (yes, really) and set it on top
- Flip halfway for even browning
Easy Variations & Swaps
- Meal prep: Assemble ahead of time and press fresh when ready
- No pork? Use rotisserie chicken or extra ham
- No Cuban bread? Hoagie rolls or French bread work great
- Spicy twist: Add a few pickled jalapeños or pickled red onions
🍽 What to Serve with a Cuban Sandwich
- Potato chips or sweet potato wedges
- Simple coleslaw
- Pickle spears
- Fresh fruit or a light salad
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How to Store & Reheat Cuban Sandwiches
Cuban sandwiches are best fresh and hot, but you can absolutely store leftovers if needed.
Refrigerate
If you have leftover sandwiches:
- Let them cool completely
- Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Keep in mind the bread will soften slightly once refrigerated.
How to Reheat
For the best texture, skip the microwave.
Instead:
- Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat
- Or warm in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes or reheat in the air fryer
- Press lightly again if you want to bring back that crisp exterior
Can You Freeze Cuban Sandwiches?
I don’t recommend freezing fully assembled Cuban sandwiches. The pickles and mustard can make the bread soggy once thawed.
However, you can freeze the cooked pork separately and assemble fresh sandwiches later. That’s usually the better option.
Make-Ahead Tip
You can assemble the sandwiches a few hours in advance and refrigerate them unpressed. When ready to serve, butter the outside and press fresh.
If you’re looking for another easy lunch idea, this old-fashioned ham salad recipe is quick, simple, and perfect for busy weekdays.
FAQs
You can assemble them ahead, but press right before serving for the best texture.
Roast pork, pulled pork, or leftover pork all work well.
Nope! A skillet and something heavy works just fine.
Tried this recipe?
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Related
Looking for other sandwich recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cuban sandwiches:
Recipe
Easy Cuban Sandwich (Cubano)
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I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread Cuban bread, hoagie rolls, or French bread
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 8 slices deli ham
- 1 ½ cups cooked pork roast pork or pulled pork
- ¼ cup dill pickle slices
- 2 Tablespoons butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat skillet over medium heat.
- Assemble sandwiches: Spread 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise and 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard on the inside of bread. Layer 8 slices deli ham, 1 ½ cups cooked pork, 8 slices deli ham, and ¼ cup dill pickle slices.
- Butter the outside: Spread 2 Tablespoons butter, softened, on the outside of the bread.
- Press and cook: Place sandwiches in skillet. Press with a heavy pan and cook 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Slice and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
