5best2buy
The Recipe · No.148 · Cubano Sandwich

Cubano Sandwich, and where to source it

Cubano Sandwich — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Cubano Sandwich Cuban 5best2buy.com

A Cubano is only the sum of its parts, so it really wants real roast pork and a proper soft-crust Cuban loaf. What pulls it together is the press. Weigh it down hard on a hot griddle until the cheese runs and the bread flattens into something thin and crackling.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook10 min
Makes2 sandwiches
CuisineCuban
Cost$$
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 2 sandwiches
Cuban or soft Italian bread
A light loaf with a thin crust presses flat and crisp.
1 loaf
Source it →
Roast pork and ham
Slow-roasted pork and good sliced ham are the heart of it.
3/4 lb total
Source it →
Swiss cheese
A clean melting cheese that binds the layers.
4 slices
Source it →
Dill pickles
Thin-sliced crisp pickles for a sharp cut through the richness.
1/2 cup
Source it →
Yellow mustard
A sharp mustard smeared on both cut faces.
2 tbsp
Source it →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Getting greedy
Rich enough that Mom might raise an eyebrow.
EffortEasy
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. Build the stackSmear mustard on both cut faces, then layer pork, ham, Swiss, and pickles inside.
  2. Butter the outsideSpread butter across the top and bottom crust so it fries to gold under the press.
  3. Press hotSet the sandwich on a hot griddle and press firmly until the bread is thin and the cheese runs.
  4. Crisp and cutFlip once for even color, then slice on a hard diagonal and serve while it crackles.
The Toolkit

Griddle or panini press · Heavy skillet as weight · Serrated knife

Straight Answers
Can you make Cubano Sandwich in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Cubano Sandwich? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Cubano Sandwich ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Cubano Sandwich gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Cubano Sandwich vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Cuban recipes
PicadilloRopa ViejaMojitoDaiquiriCuban PicadilloCuban Ropa Vieja
All Cuban recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.148

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →