This is the Cuban Pork Cubanos sandwich from the Chef movie, including homemade Mojo Marinated Pork. Did you know that the food for the movie was created by none other than LA Korean-fusion food truck original and rockstar chef Roy Choi? AND these are great for FREEZING!
This is the “leftovers” recipe from the Juicy Cuban Mojo Pork Roast I posted last week from the movie “Chef”. I raved about the movie in that post so I won’t repeat myself!
The real star of the movie are the Cubanos which are cuban pork sandwiches. I’ve had my share of great sandwiches, particularly during my foodie road trips across the US. But Cubanos….they have always held a special place in my heart, ever since that first bite I unsuspectingly took in a random Cuban diner in Miami. It wasn’t even in the Latin neighbourhood, it was on South Beach!
I didn’t really even know that cubanos were a “thing”. I just ordered a cuban sandwich, knew it was better than any sandwich I’d ever had in Australia (even fully loaded ones from up market bistros!) and that it even rivalled Shake Shack (which is saying something….because I am obsessed with American burgers!).
To be honest though, after I returned to Australia, I forgot about the Cubanos, lost amongst the memories of all the other amazing food we had on our travels throughout the US.
Until I watched the Chef movie. Boy, it brought back a flood of memories!
I didn’t actually think to make Cubanos myself until I saw this Cuban Sandwich recipe by the lovely and talented Kathleen from Hapa Nom Nom (one of my favourite blogs, endless source of inspiration!). And recently, I happened to receive a delivery of pork from Murray Valley Pork, a premium range of Australian pork. It was just “meant to be”!
I posted the Mojo Marinated Pork recipe separately, because it is SO GOOD it deserves to be served by itself as a centrepiece roast (and you only need a bit of leftovers for this recipe). Please, please, please….if you make these Cubanos, please use the Mojo Marinated Pork. Especially if you are in Australia because I can tell you that even pork slices from the most expensive deli you know will not come close to the garlicky, herby, citrusy flavours infused throughout homemade Mojo Marinated Pork.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need lunch. And to pretend I’m back in Miami. 🙂 – Nagi
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Cuban Pork Sandwich (Cubanos) from Chef Movie
Ingredients
- 2 thin slices baked leg ham
- 4 large , thin slices Mojo Marinated Pork
- 2 pieces of white baguettes , 6 inch/15 cm in length, cut in half
- Melted butter , for brushing
- American mustard
- 2 thin slices Swiss cheese
- 2 or 3 dill pickles , thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat skillet over medium heat. Add ham and pork slices, and cook each side until slightly browned then remove to a plate.
- Butter cut sides of baguettes then place in the skillet, cut side down, for 2 minutes until lightly browned. Remove onto work surface.
- Layer the bottom of the baguettes with pork, ham, then cheese and pickles. Cut, break or fold the ham, pork and cheese so they fit. Spread the cut side of the bun tops with mustard then place on the sandwich.
- Butter the bottom AND top of the outside of the baguettes.
- Heat skillet over medium high heat. Place the baguettes in the skillet, top with a sheet of baking paper then weigh it down with a heavy skillet or pot (use cans if necessary for extra weight so the sandwich compressed). Cook for 3 minutes on each side, until dark golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
- Let sandwiches stand 1 minute before cutting in half. Serve IMMEDIATELY.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
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Juliana says
OMG Nagi, this is what I call a perfect sandwich…crispy crust and all the yummy flavors in between…now I am embarrassed…I posted a sandwich…
Yes, I yet have to see the movie…but it will not be long…
Have a great week 🙂
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Embarrassed about what? I was just over on your blog and I’m MAKING your sandwich tomorrow morning for breakfast! Can’t believe I’ve never made an egg sandwich before 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
When I lived in Florida (before I I became and AmerAussie) I would drive to Miami where they have the best Cuban sandwiches. I never saw these in Cuba. Maybe I didn’t look for “sandwiches”. LOL
Yours look fantastic!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I only found out when I was researching for this post that Cuban sandwiches aren’t actually from Cuba!! So you didn’t miss them 😉
Alexandra @ Confessions of a Bright-Eyed Baker says
OMG… LOVE that movie! It makes me so hungry every time I watch it lol. I would DIE to try one of those sandwiches so the fact that you made a homemade version is so awesome!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I know, it’s AWESOME isn’t it??!!! I’ve watched it FIVE TIMES!! You must try it, I swear, you will LOVE it!!
Mel says
My husband would love those sandwiches! I’ll know where to look if I need some great comfort food for him.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thanks so much Mel!! Yes, this is DEFINATELY man food! 🙂
jaci from Missouri says
I <3 the movie "Chef"…. I have watched it twice in this past week. The food is soooooo good and the music makes me want to get up and DaNCe, One of my fav sandwiches , Cubanos……I had a great one this past January in Las Vegas at a Cuba Cafe Restaurant. A very good Cuban restaurant. I first enjoyed one in Tampa FLA in the Ybor City section at Columbia Restaurant. 🙂 Thank you for this post and the recipes.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Same here!! Re: getting up and dancing! I keep meaning to see if I can get the soundtrack! 🙂 Thank you for reading – and I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes!
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
Nagi, I have no words! Is this the best looking sandwich ever? I think so! Looks absolutely scrumptious!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thanks Jessica! You’re so “sweet”!! 🙂
Marissa @ omgfood says
I love that movie! I’ve been wanting to make those cubanos ever since I watched it.
These photos are making me hungry.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I KNOW! Same here. I got prompted to make them when I saw them on Hapa Nom Nom! 🙂
john | heneedsfood says
Love a Cubano. I mean LOVE. Not sure there’d be any left for freezing!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Make a quadruple batch. Where can we get them in Sydney??
Alberto del Fonso says
Harpoon Harry’s, Surry Hills
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thanks for the tip Alberto! That’s a very Spanish name – but you live in Sydney?? 😉
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
I’m thinking now that the weather is starting to improve I need to plan a picnic ASAP because these cuban pork sandwiches would be perfect to pack. Cape Cod here I come. Imagine eating these on the beach as the waves lap up onto the sand and the grasses rustle in the breeze. Heaven. . .
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Talk about putting me in the mood! You’ve totally painted a dream scene for me 🙂 When I go camping, I often take sandwiches like this wrapped in foil them plonk them on hot coals for a minute just to warm them through. 🙂
CakePants says
I watched that movie for last month and couldn’t stop thinking about how BADLY I wanted one of those sandwiches! These look ridiculously, almost obscenely delicious (and I mean that in the best possible way)!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I know, I know! I was jumping up and down when I found the recipe!!
Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says
Oh, Nagi – I have really got to make these!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
YES you do!! I know for sure you will approve 😉
Lisa Kaufer-Smithey says
I LOVE LOVE CUBANO sandwiches! My first experience was from a recipe that Bobby Flay had on EONS ago! Then I made them with burgers! It really wasn’t a cubano but it had the same weighted down warm bricks with the ooey gooey burgers wrapped in foil with cheese, pickles, onions and they turn out fabulous. I am on this recipe this week end! I hope all is well in Sydney!!
Lisa, it is raining it is pouring…… in Portland
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Bobby Flay made one?? I love Bobby Flay! I think he is so talented and I especially love his grilling series. I’ve watched them over and over! And you know what? I learnt the brick trick from him! I used bricks to weight down butterflied chickens to cook on the BBQ. Worked brilliantly!! 🙂
Jen @ Carlsbad Cravings says
I was drooling over your Cuban pork you posted earlier and I love the idea of making it into Cubanos – mega yum! YOUR recipes and photography are an endless source of inspiration!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thanks Jen! Are you back from holidays?? I remember seeing a “last IG” before you jumped on a plane!!
nicole (thespicetrain.com) says
I love that light. 😉 Gorgeous sandwiches those are, the oozing cheese is fantastic. I’m going to have to check out that movie, somehow I managed to miss it until now. (Do you know the (unrelated) BBC TV show from the 90s by the same name? I loved that! :)).
Nagi | RecipeTin says
NO! I have to check it out!! Thanks for the compliments on the lighting. I was taught how to do that by a really talented photographer, someone who I think is one of the best food photographers in the whole entire world, even compared to Gourmet Traveller and Donna Hay photographers…. 😉
nicole (thespicetrain.com) says
My face is as red as a tomato…. 😉
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
My mouth is watering AS USUAL (when I visit your blog). I actually spent an hour or so yesterday clicking through your blog from the beginning and bookmarking recipes to try. The pork you posted and this sandwich are at the top of the list.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thank you Marissa!! OOOOH, I made your cookies for my fam on Sunday! I was at my mum’s house so I didn’t snap pics, besides, they were inhaled so quickly I probably wouldn’t have had a chance to take pics!! They REALLY were crispy and soft! I was thrilled!
Elaine|ChinaSichuanFood says
I never ate this cuban sandwich but it looks really so great! I am water mouthing when looking at the pictures. And I can almost feel the cheese melt in the mouth in the first bite.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thanks Elaine!! Cuban sandwiches are awesome, awesome, awesome. My best memory of Florida!! 🙂
Kathleen | HapaNom says
Such a great movie! I had no idea that chef Roy Choi made all the food – what a great piece of foodie trivia!
Nagi, your Cubanos look insanely delicious! You just blew mine out of the water 😉 I love that you used your fabulous Mojo Pork Roast to make this the real deal. I’d stand in line all day for one of your sandwiches. Pinning veraciously!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Oh please, you get all the credit! I never would have thought to make these unless I saw it on your site.
ROY CHOI is a total rock star! As soon as I read that, I had to make the Mojo Pork asap!!