Cuban Pork Sandwiches Recipes

THE ULTIMATE CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Begin by braising the pork shoulder. Tie the shoulder in 4 places with kitchen twine so it will hold its shape while being cooked or ask your butcher to do this for you. Season the pork with salt, pepper, cumin and oregano. Set the base of a pressure cooker over low-medium heat and add a 2 count of olive oil.
• Add garlic and chili flakes and as the oil heats up it will become fragrant and infuse the oil. Add the pork. Add onions around the pork and brown slightly before adding orange juice, lime juice, stock and bay leaves.
• Secure the lid of the pressure cooker and cook for 20 to 25 minutes depending on the size of your pressure cooker. The pork should be tender when done. When done allow to cool in juices before removing twine and slicing.
• To prepare Cuban sandwiches, split bread in half then layer the sandwich with mustard, cheese, pickles, ham, pork then cheese again (the cheese glues everything together). Season with salt and pepper in between the ham and pork layers. (Optional: drizzle a little of the pork braising liquid over the meat as well).
• To cook, heat a large cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat and lightly coat with olive oil. Place the sandwiches on the skillet and top with another heavy skillet and a couple of heavy weights (bricks, or cans of tomatoes work well). Press down firmly and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until the sandwich has compressed to about a third of its original size and the bread is super-crispy. Serve with beans, rice and plantain chips.

CUBAN-STYLE PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place onion wedges and broth in a 5-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the parsley, 5 garlic cloves, vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, cumin, mustard, oregano, salt and pepper; rub over pork. Add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until meat is tender, 6-8 hours., Remove meat; let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. In another small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard and remaining garlic and lemon juice; spread over buns. Layer bun bottoms with pork, cheese, sliced onion and pickles; replace tops., Cook on a panini maker or indoor grill until buns are browned and cheese is melted, 2-3 minutes.

CUBAN PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the relish, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the onion and water to a boil.
• Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently; drain.
• Transfer to a bowl; add roasted peppers, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and cumin.
• Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour; remove and discard the garlic.
• Cover and place in refrigerator.
• To make the sandwiches, mash the minced garlic, cumin and salt.
• Rub over the tenderloin; place in a shallow baking pan and bake uncovered at 425 degrees for 35-30 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.
• Allow to stand for 10 minutes; slice thin.
• Over medium heat, heat the oil in a large skillet.
• Top four slices of bread with pork, add the desired amount of relish and 2 slices of cheese; top with remaining bread.
• Cook the sandwiches for 2 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
• The yield is 4 sandwiches and 2 cups of relish.

CUBAN SANDWICH WITH SLOW-COOKER PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Rub the pork all over with the cumin, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place in a slow cooker and drizzle with the orange and lime juices. Cook on high heat until the meat is tender and falling apart, 6 hours. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely shred.
• Spread one side of each loaf with mayonnaise and the other with mustard. Build the sandwiches with the pulled pork, ham, Swiss and pickles (you will have some pulled pork left over).
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place 2 of the sandwiches in the skillet and cover with another skillet, weighing it down with a heavy can or pot. Cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the sandwiches over, replace the top skillet and continue to cook until the other side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches, adding the remaining butter to the skillet.

CUBAN ROASTED PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Cut sixteen 1-in. slits in pork; insert garlic slices. In a large bowl, combine the onions, orange juice, lime juice and seasonings. Pour 1-1/2 cups marinade into another large bowl; add pork and turn to coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight, turning pork occasionally. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade., Preheat oven to 350°. Drain pork, discarding drained marinade. Place pork and reserved marinade in a shallow roasting pan. Bake tender, 3-1/2 to 4 hours, basting occasionally. Let stand for 15 minutes before slicing., Meanwhile, cut each loaf of bread in half lengthwise; flatten slightly. Spread cut side with butter; spread crust side with mustard. Cut pork into thin slices. Layer pickles, pork, ham and cheese over the mustard. Replace tops so buttered side is outward. Cut each loaf into sixths., Cook in batches on a panini maker or indoor grill for 4-5 minutes or until bread is browned and cheese is melted.

CUBAN PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For each sandwich, spread one cut side of each bun with 1/2 teaspoon mustard and the other side with 1 teaspoon mayonnaise. Layer pork, ham, cheese and 3 pickle slices in each bun, folding meats or cheese to fit if necessary. Press sandwiches firmly with palm of hand to flatten to about 1-inch thickness.
• Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush tops of sandwiches with melted butter. Place sandwiches, buttered sides down, in skillet. Brush bottoms with remaining butter. Cook about 6 minutes, turning once, until crisp and brown on both sides.

CUBAN PORK ROAST SANDWICH

Steps:

• Prepare Pork for Slow Cooking (1 day):.
• Combine marinade ingredients.
• Stab the pork all over to allow for better marinade penetration.
• Marinade pork for 12-24 hours.
• Remove from marinade and bring to room temperature (reserve marinade for later).
• Heat large skillet with a small amount of olive oil until smoking hot.
• Sear pork on all sides in skillet.
• Leave the pan alone and keep it for cooking onions later.
• Place pork in roasting pan, and pour marinade into pan (ideally pan should be about 3 inches wider/longer then pork.).
• Loosely tent pan with foil.
• Slow Cook Pork (preferably use Traeger pellet grill):.
• Place in 300 degree oven (or preferably Traeger pellet grill).
• Cook for 2 hours tented.
• Reduce heat to 250.
• Cook for 1 more hour uncovered, basting every 20 minutes with marinade.
• Turn Pork over and cook for 1 more hour, basting every 20 minutes with marinade.
• Your cooking time will vary depending on meat and pan size. Uncovering the pan is done to reduce the marinade. Your goal is to use most of the marinade but not to burn it. You will still have considerable burnt and caramelized pieces at the end of the cooking cycle. Re-cover the pan if necessary, to preserve liquid. The pork should basically fall apart by the end of the cooking cycle.
• Remove pork, cover with foil and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Pull the pork apart into medium sized chunks with claws.
• Aioli (prepare while cooking pork and refrigerate):.
• Soak white bread in vinegar.
• Place it in a kitchen aid mixer with all remaining ingredients EXCEPT olive oil.
• Whip on medium setting until thoroughly blended.
• Slowly drizzle in NON-Extra virgin (regular) Olive Oil. Increase speed of the mixer as it begins to emulsify and turn into a mayonnaise-like consistency.
• Place in refrigerator.
• Caramelize Onions (Prepare while letting the pork rest):.
• Cut onion into thick slices (about 1/2 inch wide).
• Heat pan used for searing pork over Medium/low heat adding a little olive oil.
• Add onion to pan.
• Slowly caramelize onions, stirring occasionally. Onions should be soft and browned, but not burnt.
• Prepare the sandwich:.
• The original used a harder roll sliced completely in half. I use a Bahn Mi roll cut more like a Philly steak sandwich bun. I get my buns at Q Bakery in Columbia City. This allows me to stuff the sandwich and not have a complete mess.
• Cut roll and LIGHTLY toast inside.
• Spread Aioli generously on inside.
• Add some cilantro, a branch of romaine, a few jalapeños, some caramelized onions, and stuff with pork.
• Finally, eat the best sandwich ever.

GRILLED CUBAN PORK PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Between pieces of plastic wrap, gently pound pork with flat side of meat mallet until very thin. Place in glass baking dish. In small bowl, mix dressing, lime peel and oregano. Spread over pork; turn pork to coat. Let stand while heating contact grill.
• Heat closed medium-size contact grill for 5 minutes. Position drip tray to catch drippings. Place pork on grill. Close grill; cook 5 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Meanwhile, place cheese on cut sides of roll bottoms; top with ham, pleating to fit. Spread mustard and pickle relish on cut sides of bun tops. Place grilled pork on ham; place roll tops, relish sides down, on pork. Press down firmly on tops of sandwiches (sandwiches are thick).
• Carefully wipe off grill plates; spray with cooking spray. Place sandwiches on grill. Carefully close grill so tops of rolls don't slip off sandwiches. Gently press top of grill until sandwiches are compressed. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until rolls are toasted and cheese is melted.

AWARD-WINNING CUBAN SANDWICH BY EL COCHINITO RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the pulled pork: In a medium bowl, mix together the pepper, cumin, oregano, garlic, and lime juice. Set aside.
• Make a few incisions, 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) deep, on both sides of the pork butt, cutting against the grain. Sprinkle generously with salt all over, make sure to season inside the incisions.
• Transfer the pork butt to a roasting dish, and pour the marinade all over. Make sure the pork is well coated, including inside the incisions. Cover and marinate for 8-10 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 250˚F (120˚C).
• Roast the pork, covered, for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily falls apart when prodded with a fork or tongs.
• Let cool enough to handle, then remove any bones, and shred the pork with tongs. Keep in the fridge up to 5 days.
• Make the Cuban sandwich: Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Set the bread open face on the prepared baking sheet and spread the mustard over one side. Top with the Swiss cheese. Brush the garlic oil on the other side of the bread. Top with the ham. Arrange the pulled pork over the cheese.
• Toast in the oven for 2 minutes, or until the cheese melts. Add the pickles and press the sandwich.
• Enjoy!

CUBAN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a resealable plastic bag, combine garlic, lime and orange juices, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add pork and marinate, refrigerated, for up to 4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wipe off any excess marinade from pork. Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook on all sides until lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and cook 12 minutes more. Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into 1/8-inch slices.
• Brush insides of each roll with 1 tablespoon butter. Layer 1 ounce of Swiss cheese on one of the cut sides of each roll. Top each with 6 ounces pork tenderloin, 2 ounces ham, 2 ounces pickle slices, and remaining ounce of cheese. Top with remaining halves of rolls. Brush top and bottom of rolls with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Heat a panini press to medium high and grill sandwiches until heated through and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Slice on the diagonal and serve immediately.