The Best Cuban Panini Recipe
Let’s get two things out of the way, in my house we love pork and my husband loves a good sandwich. So of course we have a panini maker! But don’t stop reading, you don’t have to use a panini maker to make this tasty pork sandwich. So what is a Cuban panini? Also called a Cubano, it was created in Tampa Florida by Cuban immigrants. It’s basically like a souped-up grilled ham and cheese sandwich with so much more going on! It’s typically made with ham, Swiss, roasted pork, pickles, and yellow mustard. But my version doesn’t have any ham. I’m all about the pork! And similar to my slow cooker Crockpot Style Cuban Pork Tenderloin, the pork tenderloin in this panini recipe is bursting with classic Cuban flavors like citrus, soy sauce, garlic, and oregano. The flavor combination is unbeatable and addictively good. It infuses the pork with loads of flavor and tenderizes it at the same time. Then once it’s sandwiched between layers of Swiss cheese and pickles on some ciabatta bread and grilled to perfection it’s next level OMG good!
Pork Tenderloin – You’ll need a 1 pound pork tenderloin. Orange Juice – You can use fresh or store-bought orange juice for the marinade. Lemon Juice – Use freshly squeezed lemon for the best flavor. Concentrated lemon juice is often too acidic. Soy Sauce – I always use low-sodium soy sauce to control the level of added salt. You can also use gluten-free tamari. Garlic – Always use freshly minced garlic cloves. Oregano – Dried oregano is a classic Cuban flavor that you should not leave out. Salt – Salt enhances the natural flavor of the pork. Black Pepper – Freshly ground is the best option if you have it on hand.
English Cucumber – They have thinner skin and tiny seeds, which makes them perfect for pickling. A regular cucumber will work too just make sure to cut it into thin slices. Red Onion – I used red onion, but any type of onion you have on hand will work perfectly. Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice is a must for the best-tasting sandwich. Oregano – Use fresh oregano if you can find it. If not dried will work. Sugar – Just a bit of sugar is added for sweetness. Ciabatta Bread – I used Ciabatta buns to make this panini, but any type of mini loaves of bread will work such as french bread or Italian bread. Yellow Mustard – This is a classic Cuban sandwich ingredient. Swiss Cheese – Traditionally sliced swiss cheese is used, but you could also use mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese if you like.
This recipe is super easy! The roasted pork tenderloin cooks to perfection in just 25 minutes and then the sandwiches come together in minutes! To begin, you need to start by marinating the pork to give it some flavor and tenderize it a bit. To do this, put the pork in a large ziplock bag along with the orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Then seal the bag and toss well so the pork is thoroughly covered in the marinade. Now, place the bag in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 3 hours up to 24 hours. After the pork is done marinating, preheat your oven temperature to 375°F (191°C). Next, put the pork in a baking dish and then pour any leftover marinade over the tenderloin. Then once the oven is hot, transfer the pork to the oven to bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Then when it’s done, remove the pork from the oven and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Now, let the pork rest for 15 minutes before slicing it thin to make sandwiches. While the pork tenderloin is in the oven, you can start making the yummy pickles! Unlike traditional dill pickles, you can make them in minutes. Just combine the sliced cucumber, onion, lime juice, oregano, and sugar together in a small bowl. Then set it aside so that it can turn into pickles. With the pork ready and pickles made, you can turn on your panini press. It needs to be nice and hot before you press the sandwiches. The results will not be as good if the press isn’t hot enough. The process is super easy and each sandwich is made in the same way. First, get all the ingredients laid out. Then slice the ciabatta buns in half horizontally and spread the mustard on both sides of the ciabatta buns. Top the bottom of the bun with 2 slices of Swiss cheese, slices of pork, quick pickles, another 2 slices of cheese and finally with the other top of the bun. Once the panini maker is preheated, transfer the sandwiches to the hot press and grill it for about 3 minutes. You don’t need to butter the panini press. The sandwich is ready after the grill marks form and the cheese has melted. Then repeat the process with the remaining sandwiches.
What Can I Add To My Panini?
Anything! Toss on some ham or salami if you like to make it as they do in Key West. You can also add some spinach or other veggies. Heck, even some Air Fryer Bacon! As long as the sandwich will hold together feel free to go crazy with your culinary creativity.
Do I Need A Panini Maker To Make This Recipe?
No, you can just use a grill pan or cast iron skillet and cook it over medium heat like a grilled cheese. As long as the sandwich is pressed and the cheese melts it will work. Just use something heavy to press on it so it can toast like a panini maker.
Storage
An already grilled Cuban panini will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can put it back on the panini maker for a few minutes or put the sandwich in the oven for about 7 minutes at 350°F (177°C). They can also be frozen for up to 3 months when wrapped well in plastic wrap.
Other Delicious Sandwich Recipes To Try
BLT Sandwich Turkey Panini Muffuletta Steak Sandwich Croque Monsieur Hawaiian Ham And Cheese Stromboli
