Savory Cuban pressed sandwich (Print version)

Layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on crisp Cuban bread, grilled to perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 8 oz roast pork, thinly sliced
02 - 8 oz deli ham, thinly sliced

→ Cheese

03 - 8 oz Swiss cheese, thinly sliced

→ Bread

04 - 1 loaf Cuban bread, divided into 4 portions

→ Condiments

05 - 1/4 cup yellow mustard
06 - 16 dill pickle slices

→ Butter

07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

# How to Make It:

01 - Slice the Cuban bread horizontally and spread mustard evenly on both cut sides.
02 - Layer the bottom half of each bread portion with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickle slices.
03 - Place the top half of the bread on the layers and press down gently.
04 - Lightly coat the outside of each sandwich with softened butter.
05 - Warm a large skillet or sandwich press over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches on the skillet, pressing down with a heavy pan or sandwich press. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side until bread is crispy and cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from heat, cut sandwiches diagonally, and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The butter-grilled exterior shatters between your teeth while the inside stays impossibly tender and juicy.
  • It's ready in less time than it takes to decide what you want for lunch, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
  • Every layer contributes something essential—the pork and ham overlap in savory notes, the pickles cut through with brightness, and the mustard ties everything together without overpowering.
02 -
  • Don't skip the pressing step—that pressure is what melds the ingredients together and makes the bread crispy instead of just warm.
  • If your pickles are very watery, pat them dry with a paper towel before layering, or they'll make the bread soggy and spoil the whole experience.
  • The butter on the outside is essential; olive oil or no oil at all will give you a completely different (and inferior) crust.
03 -
  • Buy your pork and ham from a deli counter where they can slice it paper-thin—pre-packaged deli meat often isn't thin enough and won't layer properly.
  • If you love richness, add a thin layer of mayonnaise under the mustard; it adds creaminess without overwhelming the other flavors.
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