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Cubano pulled pork sandwich cut in half with the two halves stacked on top of each other on a wooden chopping board

The Ultimate Guide to Making the Perfect Pulled Pork Sandwich

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There are few things in this world that are as delicious as a pulled pork sandwich. And, while there are many ways to make them, my personal favourite is the Cubano.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1 sandwich 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/8 recipe Slow Cooker Smoky Pulled Pork
  • 2 slices sourdough bread
  • 4 slices ham
  • 2 slices swiss cheese
  • 1 tbsp American mustard
  • 1 dill pickle
  • 2 slices of beefsteak tomato
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. Spread the mustard on each side of your bread.

    Two pieces of sourdough with mustard on a wooden chopping board

  2.  Place the two pieces of Swiss cheese on one of the pieces of bread.

    Two pieces of sourdough with mustard and Swiss cheese on a wooden chopping board

  3. Heat up your pulled pork.

    Smoky pulled pork in a black cast iron pan on a hob

  4. Place your pulled pork on top of the cheese.

    Two pieces of sourdough with mustard, Swiss cheese and pulled pork on a wooden chopping board

  5. Place your tomato slices on top of the pulled pork.

    Two pieces of sourdough with mustard and Swiss cheese on a wooden chopping board

  6. Season your tomato with a little salt and pepper.

    Beefsteak tomato slice seasoned with salt and pepper.

  7. Slice your pickle and lay on top of the tomato.

    Two pieces of sourdough with mustard and Swiss cheese on a wooden chopping board

  8. Arrange your slices of ham in ‘nests’ (instead of just laying them flat) on top of the pickles.

    Two pieces of sourdough with mustard, Swiss cheese, pulled pork, tomato, pickles and ham on a wooden chopping board

  9. Place the other piece of sourdough on top to complete the sandwich.  Spread butter on the top, so that when you place it in the pan, the sandwich is butter side down (buttered side on the pan).

    Cubano sandwich before cooking with butter spread on the top slice on a wooden background

  10. Place the sandwich in the pan butter side down.

    Cubano sandwich in a black cast iron pan

  11. Place an iron press on top, but don’t press down too much, that will come when we turn it over and the whole sandwich has been warmed.  If you don’t have one of these presses (they are great for also cooking meat evenly and getting crispy skin on fish) you can use a heavy pan, which you’ll have to hold in place for a few minutes.  You could also use a house brick covered in foil.

    Cubano sandwich in a black cast iron pan with a burger press on top

  12. keep checking under the sandwich as it cooks, to make sure you get the perfect colour for you.  A deep golden brown is good.  Once you get there, butter the top piece of bread.

    Cubano sandwich in a pan

  13. Turn the sandwich over so it’s ready to cook on the other side.

    Cubano sandwich in a pan with the browned side showing

  14. Place the iron press back on top, but push down a little this time.  You’ll be checking to make sure the underside is cooking to golden brown, but you’ll also be applying enough pressure intermittently so that the sandwich reduces by half the thickness.

    Cubano sandwich in a black cast iron pan with a burger press on top

  15. And that’s it!  Once it’s golden brown get it on a cutting board, cut in half and serve.

    Cooked Cubano on a wooden chopping board. 

Notes

  • I like using sourdough for health reasons, but a long thin bread would be more traditional to a Cuban sandwich.  Something like a baguette or ciabatta, or even focaccia.
  • The tomato is a nice addition that gives some extra freshness, but can be left out if you’re not keen on tomatoes.
  • Author: Russell James
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Cuisine: South American

Find it online: https://eatlikeanadult.com/pulled-pork-sandwich/