Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwich
Make a Cuban pulled pork sandwich out of leftover pork with just a few ingredients from your fridge. This delicious hearty dinner sandwich is a huge hit on a busy weeknight when served with a pan of chips or baked french fries.
Traditional Cuban pork sandwiches feature pulled pork layered with ham topped with pickles and mustard on Cuban bread. They are utterly delicious and we tend to order them whenever we spot them while dining out.
But here at home, I've dialed the recipe back to be a faster, easier dish to serve on a busy weeknight.
Stash containers of my pulled pork in your freezer after you've cooked a batch and these quick and easy Cuban pulled pork sandwiches are only 10 minutes away at dinner time.
Why This is the Best Recipe
When we've been in a bit of a dinner rut, the fastest way to shake things up is to incorporate some new flavors to our routine. I think this is the best Cuban pulled pork sandwich recipe because:
- Restaurant Quality at Home: When we can't get across town to the authentic Cuban restaurant we love, I can incorporate the same flavors and mix it up at home.
- Freezer-Friendly: Keep the leftover pork in your freezer and label it "For Cuban Pork Sandwiches." It will feel like a gift when you pull it out on a busy night.
- Just the Way the Kids Like It: Everyone at the table can assemble the parts of the sandwich just the way they like it. For me? Load up those pickles and mustard.
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Ingredients
These fast and easy Cuban sandwiches need just a tiny list of ingredients:
- Cooked Pulled Pork: You can see my full notes below, but I always make these sandwiches with leftover mojo pulled pork or pork tenderloin.
- Fresh Bread: Head to the bakery department of your grocery store and look for a long loaf you can slice into smaller servings or fresh sandwich rolls. Traditional French baguettes are too crusty, our grocery store sells larger French bread loaves that have some give when you gently squeeze them and are light and fluffy on the inside. You want something heartier than a hamburger bun to hold up to the pork but softer than a baguette. Kaiser rolls would be an excellent choice. I know that our local Publix actually sells Cuban bread. If you can find it, grab it!
- Sliced Havarti Cheese: Similar to Swiss cheese but not quite as strong. You could also use provolone cheese if you prerfer.
- Bread and Butter Pickle Chips: I bought Wickles Wicked Pickles and they had the perfect crunch with just a bit of spice. Any sandwich pickle you love will work just fine.
- Dijon Mustard: Yellow mustard would work great, too.
Pork for Cuban Sandwiches
The best pulled pork recipe for Cuban sandwiches is my mojo Cuban pork made in a dutch oven or slowcooker. The tangy citrus hot sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy pickles and melted cheese on these sandwiches.
You can cook it in advance and even freeze it in small batches so these sandwiches are easy to make even on your busiest nights.
If you don't have that pork on hand, you could always cook up a pork tenderloin and just slice it instead of the pulled pork.
Toast the Bread
Place the bread cut side up on a broiler-safe pan and toast it under the broiler until golden brown. Be careful, it will burn quickly so don't leave it unattended.
Once the bread is nice and crispy, lay slices of the provolone cheese alongside the BOTTOM half of the buns. This will help keep your sandwich from getting soggy from the sauce of the pork.
Assemble the Sandwiches
To assemble the final Cuban pulled pork sandwich, pile on the pork and top it with your favorite pickles.
I spread Dijon mustard on the other half of the bun before closing up the sandwich. If you prefer mayonnaise, that would be a perfect choice, too.
One of my very favorite Cuban restaurants used to serve their Cuban pork sandwiches with thin-cut french fries INSIDE the sandwich itself.
If you wanted to try something new, bake up a pan of thin french fries and give it a try!
For a more veggie-heavy option, you could always put a spoonful of this Cuban slaw on top or serve a scoop on the side.
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of this simple dinner is that you don't need a lot to go with it, everyone will be so excited about their sandwiches that the side dishes are merely an afterthought.
I love to pair ours with a pan of frozen sweet potato fries or seasoned french fries. Sometimes I'll add a bowl of potato chips with our favorite chip dip.
As I mentioned, you could serve my Cuban slaw on top of the sandwich or as a side dish on the plate.
You could keep things light and offer fresh pineapple, strawberries, or watermelon as a side dish, too. Don't miss my comprehensive list of side dishes for sandwiches here.
More Easy Sandwich Recipes
I love serving hot sandwiches for dinner during the school year. Paired with a simple salad, a cup of soup, or a fast side dish, they make for a very kid-friendly dinner.
Here are a few more of our favorite recipes:
📖 Recipe
Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover mojo Cuban pulled pork or store bought container of pulled pork
- 4 crusty but soft sandwich rolls or one large Cuban or French bread loaf
- 8 slices havarti cheese
- Bread and butter pickles
- Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
Instructions
- Gently reheat the leftover pork in the microwave and set aside.
- Slice the bread as needed to form individual sandwich portions and line them up open face on a broiler-safe baking sheet.
- Preheat the broiler and then toast the bread until golden brown, about 1 - 2 minutes. Watch carefully, it can burn quickly.
- Place the slices of havarti cheese on the bottom halves of the sandwich rolls. Put the pan back under the broiler to melt the cheese for 30 seconds - 1 minute.
- To assemble the sandwiches, pile the pork on the side of the bun with the cheese. Top with the pickles. Spread Dijon mustard to taste on the top half of the bun and then close the sandwich.
- OPTIONAL: Cuban sandwiches are often pressed. Once you assemble the sandwich, you could use the back of a clean baking pan to press your sandwiches before serving.
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