This Cuban-Style Pressed Sandwich is a crispy, golden, and incredibly satisfying meal made with layers of roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard. Pressing the sandwich while it cooks gives the bread a beautifully crisp exterior while melting the cheese and warming all the flavorful fillings inside.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Cuban bread or French bread
- 8 oz sliced roasted pork
- 8 oz sliced ham
- 6–8 slices Swiss cheese
- ½ cup dill pickle slices
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Slice the loaf horizontally and spread yellow mustard evenly over the inside of both halves.
- Layer the fillings: Arrange the Swiss cheese, ham, roasted pork, and dill pickle slices evenly over the bottom half of the bread. Place the top half over the fillings.
- Butter the bread: Spread softened butter over the outside of the sandwich, coating both sides lightly.
- Heat the press: Preheat a panini press or sandwich press. If you don’t have one, heat a heavy skillet over medium heat.
- Press the sandwich: Place the sandwich in the press and cook until the bread is crisp and golden and the cheese has melted, about 4–6 minutes.
If using a skillet, place the sandwich in the pan and put another heavy skillet or heatproof pan on top. Press down gently and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Slice and serve: Remove the sandwich from the press, let it rest for a minute, then cut diagonally into portions and serve warm.
Tips for the Best Cuban Sandwich
- Use sturdy bread that can handle the pressure without falling apart.
- Don’t overload the sandwich, as too many fillings can make it difficult to press evenly.
- Traditional yellow mustard provides the classic tangy flavor.
- A panini press gives the most even browning, but a heavy skillet works perfectly well.
- For the crispiest exterior, lightly butter the outside of the bread before pressing.
Serving Ideas
Serve your Cuban-style sandwich with extra dill pickles, potato chips, a simple green salad, or a bowl of soup. It’s an excellent choice for lunch, a casual dinner, or a hearty weekend meal.
The combination of crispy toasted bread, melted Swiss cheese, savory pork, ham, tangy pickles, and mustard makes every bite wonderfully flavorful.