Turkey Cubano Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

David Bertan

When I make cuban sandwiches, I heat up both cast iron skillets (one is slightly smaller than the other) and then put the sandwich between them, pressing down on the top one for a few minutes. It's my informal panini press, and it works.I'm bummed I read this AFTER making a turkey and tomato sandwich on whole grain bread...

Mary

I would use the stove top instead of the oven. Two hot sheet pans AND a heavy cast iron skillet being moved to the oven with 2-4 sandwiches on it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen to me. But, then, I’m just a “lightweight” in the kitchen!

Frank

I recommend placing the sandwiches on one sheet pan. Place the second sheet pan on top of the sandwiches. Place them into oven and THEN place the heavy skillet on top. Attempting to balance all three does indeed seem like burnt fingers/broken toes waiting to happen.

Joe mama

I have been living and working in Miami and Ft Lauderdale for 39 years and if a place puts mayo on a cuban sandwich, I wouldn't go back there, it's just not done in the real Cuban places, and no peppers either. They do however use butter or margarine. Roast Pork, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Dill Chips, light mustard, buttered cuban bread, that's it, pressed until hot and toasty cut on the bias. Usually served with Fries.

Karen Chu

This was so delicious! I added some leftover Thanksgiving turkey, pepperoni, pickled jalapeno slices, mustard, mayo, havarti cheese. I was too lazy to mess with the oven and I don't own a press. I buttered two homemade slices of white bread and then pan fried it on the stove while pressing it down with a spatula.

sheila

So good. We used leftover Thanksgiving turkey, smoked deli ham, deli Swiss, spicy brown mustard, mayo, sriracha and thin dill pickle slices on Ciabatta rolls pressed between two cast-iron pans on the stovetop. Nothing fancy, but they became more than the sum of their humble parts. We'll do it often in the future.

Jerrie

I would first try using a grill pan with panini press rather than the oven. I realize you have to turn it, but easy to do on the stove top.

DB

It ain't a Cuban without Cuban bread! The best is La Segunda Central Bakery, Ybor City, FL. La Segunda will ship too. There is no substitute!

QUAASAM

Excellent. Do not save on the peperoncini and gerkins.

TaiL

I skipped the hot sauce and mayo in favor of pickled jalapeño peppers. I also used my sandwich press in my cast iron skillet. Otherwise I followed the ingredients and methods. This was excellent. Served it with spinach, steamed over garlic.

June

Pressed this on the stovetop using the heavy, cast-iron lid from my Dutch oven to flatten the sandwich in a larger, non-stick fry pan . Worked like a dream.

DB

It ain't a Cuban without Cuban bread! The best is La Segunda Central Bakery, Ybor City, FL. La Segunda will ship too. There is no substitute!

Carol

This was just fantastic. I used prosciutto rather than ham and also used the 2 cast iron skillet suggestion someone else made. The flavors of the turkey, proscuitto, pickles (homemade), pepperoncini, and swiss (I used jarlsberg) was divine. As good or better than anything I've had at great Cuban restaurants.

Marcia, Apopka, Florida

My trusty old George Foreman Grill works like a charm for any pressed sandwiches. It's great!

Julian Casablancas

chef’s kiss

Lora

I haven't made this but wouldn't a panini press work if you have one?

Diana

Yes, it is the preferred (and easiest) method for making this sandwich. You also need a loaf of Cuban baguette. Some history on the sandwich, and a recipe from Three guys from Miami https://icuban.com/food/cuban_sandwich.html

Joe mama

I have been living and working in Miami and Ft Lauderdale for 39 years and if a place puts mayo on a cuban sandwich, I wouldn't go back there, it's just not done in the real Cuban places, and no peppers either. They do however use butter or margarine. Roast Pork, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Dill Chips, light mustard, buttered cuban bread, that's it, pressed until hot and toasty cut on the bias. Usually served with Fries.

Brian T.

Wow, I look forward to the leftover turkey sandwich as much as I do the Thanksgiving meal, and this is inspired. Absolutely going to make these. (Now that you’ve opened the door to holiday sandwich gluttony, seek out the sinfully indulgent Monte Cristo recipe from Nancy Silverton‘s sandwich book. I would love to see Melissa do a sandwich cookbook….)

jd

Great combination of ingredients and flavors. The heating instructions didn't work so well for me, even after 15 minutes in the oven. Next time, I'll try it on the stovetop with a cast iron skillet on top. Flipping it seems a small price to pay.

Steve

I agreed with those who used panini press it was much easier than other method. Followed recipe but omitted peppers, just an FYI these sandwiches are really hearty to people can even split them.

Laurie

used a paninni maker with toothpicks to hold the sandwich together. Delish!

Karen Chu

This was so delicious! I added some leftover Thanksgiving turkey, pepperoni, pickled jalapeno slices, mustard, mayo, havarti cheese. I was too lazy to mess with the oven and I don't own a press. I buttered two homemade slices of white bread and then pan fried it on the stove while pressing it down with a spatula.

Cristina

Yummy! Used provolone instead of Swiss since that’s all I had. Like some other reviewers said, I pressed the sandwiches in my cast iron skillet on the stove top. Maybe more flavorful than this week’s Thanksgiving dinner!

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Turkey Cubano Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make the best Cubano? ›

Layer the meat and cheese: Top the mustard side with a layer of Swiss cheese, followed by a handful of the warmed roast pork. Add another layer of Swiss cheese followed by a layer of pickles and the ham. Top the ham with any remaining cheese and cover the sandwich with the other piece of bread.

What's the difference between a Cuban sandwich and a Cubano? ›

The Cuban sandwich, better known as a Cubano in the US and simply sandwich in Cuba, is a decadent Cuban grilled ham and cheese sandwich that has reached mainstream popularity all over the US. It is the ultimate sandwich for every pork lover and a must for every non-pork lover alike.

What does a Cuban sandwich contain? ›

The sandwich is made with ham, (mojo) roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread.

Who was Elena Ruz? ›

The story goes that Elena Ruz, a society young socialite for which the sandwich is named, would stop at this little all-night restaurant, El Carmelo, in Vedado neighborhood in Havana Cuba, after leaving the dance with her group of friends.

What are the most common Cuban ingredients? ›

Popular Cuban food is based on basic ingredients in which tomato sauce, black beans, tubers (some exotic ones as yucca, malanga and name) and sofrito are the pillars.

What is Cubano made of? ›

A Cubano is a sandwich made with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles served on a soft roll spread with mustard and griddled until warm. In this version, Anya Von Bremzen marinates the roast pork in a tangy Cuban mojo, and adds a few slices of salami for an extra touch.

How to make a Cuban sandwich without a press? ›

No problem! You can make Cuban sandwiches in a hot griddle or frying pan. Place a heavy cast iron skillet on top, then weigh it down with some cans so it presses the sandwiches evenly. You will need to flip the sandwiches to cook both sides, but this method totally works.

Does a Cuban sandwich have mayo? ›

Spread mustard on six halves of the bread. Spread mayonnaise on the other six halves of the bread. Layer ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and salami on the mustard halves of the bread. Layer pickles on top of salami; top with mayo halves of bread.

What can I use instead of Cuban bread for a Cuban sandwich? ›

If you live near a Latino bakery, you will probably be able to find Cuban breads. Lacking these, the best substitute for pan cubano is the long, soft French or Italian breads you find at the supermarket (a high-quality bakery baguette is too crusty). Challah or brioche makes a good substitute for pan suave.

What makes a Cuban sandwich special? ›

A traditional Cuban sandwich is layered with ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard – there's no lettuce, tomato, or mayo on this baby. As with any dish, the better the ingredients, the better the sandwich – this becomes even more imperative with fewer ingredients.

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