Savory Cuban Pressed Sandwich (Printer-Friendly)

A flavorful pressed sandwich with roast pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard in crisp Cuban bread.

# 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, cut into 4 portions

→ Condiments

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

→ Butter

07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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 - Top with the other bread half and gently press down.
04 - Lightly butter the outside of each sandwich.
05 - Heat a large skillet or sandwich press over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet or press. Press down with a heavy pan or use the press, grilling for 4–5 minutes per side or 5–7 minutes total in a press, until bread is crispy and cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from heat, slice diagonally, and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between crispy bread and melted cheese with tender meat is genuinely addictive and hits differently than any other sandwich.
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for when you want something that tastes like it took hours but didn't.
  • Those diagonal cuts and the warm flavors make people feel like they're eating something special, even though it's surprisingly forgiving to make.
02 -
  • Don't skip buttering the outside of the bread; that's what separates a good sandwich from the crispy, golden version that changes your life.
  • Medium heat is your friend here—high heat rushes the process and burns the bread while leaving the cheese cold in the middle, a mistake I've made twice and learned from both times.
03 -
  • Let your butter soften to room temperature before spreading it on the bread; cold butter tears the surface and won't distribute evenly, leaving some spots dry.
  • If you can't find authentic Cuban bread, a day-old French baguette cut lengthwise actually works beautifully because it has structure that won't fall apart under pressure.
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