Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwiches are a favorite in my house! Juicy and tender slow cooked Cuban pork with ham, pickles, cheese, pickles, and mustard. A true classic! Make these Cuban sandwiches as sliders if you need to feed a crowd.
I love a good sandwich, especially when it has pulled pork. This slow cooked Cuban sandwich is a true favorite in my house. Both my husband and I love it, and have made it so many times that I’ve lost track. The Cuban pork is cooked in my slow cooker with a delicious mojo marinade until tender and juicy.
My Favorite Cuban Sandwich Recipe
My favorite Cuban sandwich recipe uses a slow cooked mojo Cuban pulled pork, and let me tell you, it is absolutely delicious and extra moist!
I’ve made Cuban sandwiches, or Cubanos, many ways before, and I love how this recipe is so easy – just throw the ingredients in the morning in the slow cooker, and assemble the sandwich when ready to eat later in the evening. The best part is that it’s extra moist, which is a must for me when it comes to sandwiches.
What’s in a Cuban Sandwich?
Traditionally, a Cuban sandwich has the following ingredients:
- Cuban bread
- slow roasted pork
- ham
- pickles
- Swiss cheese
- pickle slices
- mustard
I like to add genoa salami on my Cuban sandwich too. It just adds an additional layer of flavor that I love.
How to Make a Cuban Sandwich
Making Cuban sandwiches is really easy! For this recipe, all you need is patience as the pork cooks in a delicious mojo marinade in the slow cooker. Your house will smell like heaven while the pork is cooking…trust me!
- Place mojo marinade ingredients (see recipe card) and pork shoulder/pork butt in a 6 qt large slow cooker. Be sure to poke the meat with a knife all over and cut them in chunks in order to ensure that the mojo marinade flavors penetrate through the pork. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
- Once the meat is ready, shred it with a fork.
- Slice the Cuban bread horizontally for the sandwich. Substitutions: telera roll, bolillo roll, Italian bread.
- Brush the bread halves all over with a mix of melted butter and garlic powder. Why? Doing this does two things: 1) it gives the bread a crunch and a golden brown color when pressed in a panini press, and 2) adds lots of flavor.
- Spread mustard on the inside of each bread half.
- Assemble the sandwich: layer on Swiss cheese, ham, genoa salami, pulled pork, pickle slices, and more cheese.
- Press on a panini press until golden brown and crunchy. If you prefer, you can press the sandwich on a skillet by placing something heavy on the sandwich, such as a cast iron skillet, and repeat for both sides.
I served this Cuban sandwich with potato chips, but feel free to serve with anything you’d like! Here are some ideas:
- my garlic roasted potato wedges
- sweet potato fries or chips
- plantain chips
- tostones
- french fries
- a simple salad
The pork is so moist and super flavorful. It’s so good! This recipe will make enough for 5-6 sandwiches. You can also turn this into sliders if you want to throw a party.
For more sandwich recipes, try my Turkey Mozzarella Focaccia Sandwich. I am working on several sandwiches for the blog, so stay tuned. Remember to sign up for my email updates 🙂
And don’t forget to pin this recipe:
Kitchen Tips
- If you can’t find Cuban bread, try telera rolls, bolillo rolls, or Italian bread. Slice the bread horizontally.
- Brushing the bread with melted butter plus garlic powder provides extra flavor, and most importantly, gives the bread a nice golden brown color and a crunchy texture.
- Use good quality ham. I used honey ham.
If you try my recipe, use #cookingformysoul on Instagram! Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook for the latest fun updates and recipes!
Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwich
Ingredients
Cuban Mojo Pulled Pork
- 4 lbs pork shoulder/pork butt
- Juice of 2 oranges
- Juice of 1 1/2 limes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sandwich
- 6 Cuban rolls, sliced open - (you can also use telera or bolillo rolls, or Italian bread)
- 24 slices Swiss cheese
- 18 slices honey ham
- 12 slices pickles
- Mustard
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 24 slices Genoa salami - (optional)
Instructions
- Poke the pork shoulder all over with a knife. Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks and place in a large slow cooker.
- Add all the Mojo marinade ingredients to the slow cooker and mix well to combine. Cook on LOW for about 6-7 hours until tender.
- When ready, shred the meat using a fork.
- In the microwave oven, melt butter and garlic powder, and brush the bread all over with it.
- Assemble the sandwich: For each sandwich, spread mustard on the bottom half, layer on 2 slices cheese cheese, 3 slices of honey ham, 4 slices salami (if using), pulled pork, 2 pickle slices, and 2 more slices Swiss cheese. Spread the inside of the top bread half with mustard and top the sandwich. Place sandwich on a hot panini press until golden brown.
- Serve with your favorite side. I served these sandwiches with chips.
JB says
It was delicious !! Will do again
Corrine Huguez says
Do you know if I prep it the night before if that’s a good idea or should it be done day of?
Tania says
You can prep it the night before and then cook it the day of. Or you can also cook it as directed, and store in the fridge to reheat the next day.
Edward says
I have prepared this to marinate for 4 hours and also overnight. the marinade will penetrate the meat so much more if left overnight and soooo much better. I cut holes in the meat and forced the marinade into them for more coverage. Also, the flavors are much more present when warmed the next day.
Sandy C says
I don’t have to tell you that these are amazing. Love Cuban sandwiches but some how lost my pork recipe. I know! How could that happen! So I scanned Pinterest. Bingo! Your recipe is close but probably even better. Have my shopping list ready to go!
Tania says
Hope you like it, Sandy!
QL7 says
I haven’t made this yet, but I’m going to ASAP. I love Cuban sandwiches, never thought to make the pork in the slow cooker – always used left-over pork loin, or pork tenderloin roasted in the oven. My suggestion for bread – see if you can find King’s Hawaiian bread rolls, they’re about as close as you can get, according to my Floridian friends. I don’t know. Never had a real Cuban sandwich. Just a suggestion.
Audra says
My boyfriend said he was “super picky” about cuban sandwhiches, but I followed this recipe to the t and he loved it!! Even invited his friend over the next day and they had the leftovers! He said it was the best cuban sandwhich he’s ever had. So thank you! You made me look good! Haha.
Tania says
Thank you for your kind words, Audra! I’m super happy to hear you all loved it!
Kristi says
Yummy! Had neighbors over for these and they loved them! My hubby and I did, too. Found brioche hoagies in the grocery bakery to use for buns because couldn’t find authentic buns. They worked great! Didn’t change a thing. We devoured them! My neighbor said multiple times that she planned to make them at home.
Tania says
Hi Kristi! Thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m so happy to hear everyone loved it!
Chelsea says
This recipe is absolutely delicious. First time making Cuban sandwiches and this is exactly the recipe I needed. A new staple in our house.
Holley Francis says
This IS the perfect Cuban sandwich! Will be my staple from now and forever. Thank you for the recipe Tania!!
Tania says
So happy to hear, Holley!
Maria Schneider says
I don’t usually leave comments, but this was AMAZING! The flavors are authentic and delicious. I was worried the orange and lime juice quantities would be too much. I really don’t like when I can taste the orange juice in meat recipes, but it was perfectly balanced with the garlic, oregano, cumin, etc. My family loved it!
Tania says
Thank you so much, Maria!
Alexandra H says
Was delicious! I switched sliced the pork instead of shredding it (my Cuban family is very against the shredded pork in a Cuban sandwich ?) but the flavors were amazing!!!
Tania says
Glad to hear that you liked it! Thank you for your kind words 🙂
Amy H says
Just made this and omg! Mixed it up and used pepperjack cheese as that’s what we had to use up. So so good! I call this a Pinterest win 😉 Thanks so much for this recipe!
Tania says
Thank you for making my recipe, Amy! Cheers 🙂
JP says
Just made this for dinner tonight! OMGOODNESS! The flavors are paired perfectly! We will be making this again!
Tania says
So happy to hear, JP! Thank you!
Christie says
Just watched the movie Chef… so I’m inspired to make this! Will definitely try your recipe. Looks delicious
Tania says
Thank you, I hope you like it! And…I’ve gotta watch that movie too! Just looked it up and it sounds like a movie I’d really enjoy 🙂
Susan Nairn says
I’m excited to try your recipe. Chef is one of my favorite movies. I hope you had a chance to watch it.
Emily says
Just made this! So good, coming from a Cuban family- this was a great recipe and authentic.
Tania says
Hi Emily! Great to hear. Thank you for making my recipe 🙂