Cuban Sandwiches… in slider form! These Baked Cuban Sliders are easy to make and sure to be a favorite. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or your next party!
I’ll never forget the first time I had a “real” Cuban sandwich, or Cubano. I was in Key West, on the tail end of a trip with a friend, and I still had a few restaurants to check off my list. Being my last day there, I landed on Ana’s Southernmost Cafe Cubanos. Because when in Key West… Cuban food is a must!
I was feeling a little extra adventurous that day, so I ordered the “Fiery Cubano” complete with habanero mayo, jalapeños, and pepper Jack cheese. A brave choice right before a long flight home. I found a little bench along the water and proceeded to devour the entire thing. And let me tell you… it was SPICY. But so worth it!
Now… these Cuban Sliders don’t have that same spicy kick, but they do have all the other delicious flavors I fell in love with that day. They’re easy to prep in advance and I LOVE that they’re slider sized, which makes them perfect for a quick weeknight dinner OR for your next party!
What you’ll need for this recipe
Sandwich rolls – Cuban Sandwiches are traditionally made with Cuban bread, a soft white bread made with lard. I used 12 soft white sandwich rolls, also known as silver dollar rolls, in this recipe. You can substitute any type of bread you prefer.
Sliced ham – Ham is a key ingredient in Cuban sandwiches and one of two different types of meat I used. I used 1/2 pound of thinly sliced deli ham, but you could use pre-packaged or leftover ham as well.
Pulled pork – Pulled pork is another key ingredient in Cuban sandwiches and 1/2 pound of pork is the perfect complement to the ham in this recipe. You can feel free to use a pre-packaged version (found in the refrigerated meat section at your local grocery store) or make your own homemade pulled pork.
Swiss cheese – Cuban sandwiches are traditionally made with Swiss cheese, which melts together with ham and pulled pork for a delicious flavor combo. I used 7 ounces of sliced Swiss from the deli.
Pickles – No Cuban is complete without pickles! Due to the smaller size of these sliders, I used small sandwich sized sliced dill pickles. You can feel free to use any size you have on hand.
Sauces – Simple sauces are all you need. I used a combination of 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup stone ground mustard, and 1/4 cup butter in this recipe.
How to make Cuban Sliders
Cut the rolls. Cut the sandwich rolls in half, keeping them intact if possible. Place them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Layer the sandwiches. Spread the rolls with mayo, then top with mustard. Layer on the ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles. Replace the bun tops to complete the sandwiches.
Make the topping. In a small bowl, melt the butter and stir in the extra mustard. Brush the tops of the buns with the butter mixture.
Bake. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and buns are golden brown.
Make Ahead Tip
This recipe is easy to make in advance for stress-free dinners or entertaining. Simply assemble the recipe completely (including the topping), then cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Once you’re ready to enjoy them, remove the foil and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
Recipe Variations
- Substitute Kings Hawaiian rolls or any of your favorite sandwich rolls
- Use leftover pulled or sliced ham
- Substitute mozzarella, provolone, pepper Jack, or any of your favorite sliced cheese
- Substitute sweet or spicy pickles for dill pickles
- Add sliced salami
- Add giardiniera or sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick
how to make the best Cuban Sliders
An EASY way to kick these sliders up a notch is by using leftover ham from the holidays! There’s just something about ham off the bone that hits different than deli ham, and these sandwiches are a great way to make use of it. I also love personalizing this recipe by adding a spicy kick!
Cuban Sliders
Ingredients
Sandwiches
- 12 small sandwich rolls
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup stone ground mustard
- 1/2 pound deli ham
- 1/2 pound pulled pork
- 7 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
Topping
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1 Tablespoon stone ground mustard
Instructions
- Cut the sandwich rolls in half, keeping them intact if possible. Place them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Spread the rolls with mayo, then top with mustard. Layer on the ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles. Replace the bun tops to complete the sandwiches.
- In a small bowl, melt the butter and stir in the extra mustard. Brush the tops of the buns with the butter mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and buns are golden brown.
Sammy says
These Baked Cuban Sliders bring back such flavorful memories! I remember my first fiery Cubano in Key West and the bold adventure it brought to my taste buds. These sliders may not have the same spicy punch, but they capture all those cherished Cuban sandwich flavors in a convenient, bite-sized form. Perfect for satisfying a weeknight craving or wowing guests at a party. I must say, that the combo of sandwich rolls, ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, and those essential pickles, all topped off with a simple yet irresistible trio of sauces – creates a delightful harmony of tastes