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Meat, Americas

Cuban sandwich with oven fries

A Cuban sandwich is a pressed sandwich with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, served with oven fries. For 4 people, it takes 35 minutes to make, it's very easy, and it costs about €3.30 per person. The key to getting it right is pressing it firmly in the pan so it turns crispy outside and melty inside.

A Cuban sandwich is roast pork, ham, cheese, pickles and mustard, pressed until crispy. A real treat.

Cuban sandwich with oven fries
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.30
Calories per person
810 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Fall, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

A Cuban sandwich plays on the contrast between golden, crispy bread on the outside and a melty filling inside. The roast pork brings flavor, the ham adds tenderness, the Swiss cheese melts between the two, and the pickles with mustard bring a tangy edge that keeps everything from feeling too heavy. It's meant to be eaten hot, pressed, almost like an upgraded grilled cheese.

This is the kind of dinner to make on a weeknight when you want something hearty without spending hours on it. Kids usually love the ham and cheese combo, and homemade oven fries always beat the frozen kind. You can also serve it for a relaxed Sunday lunch, straight from the pan with the fries still hot.

The ingredients

4 people

Bakery

  • baguettes or long rolls 2

Butcher

  • cooked roast pork, sliced 300 g

Dairy

  • ham 8 slices
  • Swiss cheese, sliced 8 slices
  • butter 40 g

Pantry

  • picklesoften in the pantry 8
  • yellow mustardoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • potatoes 700 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the potatoes into fries, toss them with olive oil, paprika and salt, and bake at 220°C. 35 min

    Spread them out on the baking sheet without overlapping.

  2. Cut the rolls in half lengthwise and spread mustard on the inside.

    A thin layer of butter on the outside of the bread helps it turn golden.

  3. Fill with pork, ham, Swiss cheese and sliced pickles.

    Layer the slices evenly so the cheese spreads throughout.

  4. Butter the outside of the rolls and brown them in a skillet, pressing down with a heavy pan. 8 min

    Flip halfway through, the cheese should be fully melted.

  5. Cut on the diagonal and serve with the fries.

    Eat them hot, that's the whole point.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use leftover roast pork from the night before if you have some, the sandwich only gets better and you save time.
  • Press firmly but don't flatten the bread completely, the goal is to flatten it just enough for the cheese to melt all the way to the edges.
  • Cook the fries while you're assembling the sandwiches so everything is hot and ready at the same time.

The variations

  • Swap the Swiss cheese for Gruyère or another aged cheese for a sharper flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the pork and ham with grilled zucchini slices and sautéed mushrooms.
  • For kids, skip the pickles and mellow out the mustard with a little honey.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with a sharp vinaigrette
  • Extra pickles on the side
  • A cold homemade lemonade

Storage

This sandwich is best eaten right away, fresh off the pan while it's still crispy. You can prep the filling ahead and keep it in the fridge in a sealed container for 1 day, then assemble and press it just before serving. The fries don't freeze well once cooked, it's better to make them fresh.

Questions about this dish

Can I use a different leftover meat instead of roast pork?

Yes, leftover roast chicken or pulled pork works well too. The key is to use meat that's already cooked and tender so the sandwich stays moist.

Do I need a panini press to make this sandwich?

No, a heavy skillet or another pan placed on top as a weight works just as well. What matters is pressing firmly while it cooks so the bread flattens slightly.

Can I assemble the sandwiches ahead of time?

You can fill the bread a few hours ahead and keep it wrapped in the fridge. Press the sandwiches in the pan right before serving so they stay crispy.

What kind of mustard should I use?

Classic yellow mustard is traditional and adds mild tang without too much bite. Regular Dijon mustard also works well if you prefer something sharper.

How long does it take to make a Cuban sandwich with oven fries?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a Cuban sandwich with oven fries?

About 810 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Cuban sandwich with oven fries cost?

About €3.30 per serving, or €13.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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