Cuban Sandwich
This Cuban sandwich features succulent marinated pork shoulder with garlic, cumin, oregano and citrus juices, pressed with ham and melted cheese in crusty bread. The Thermomix grinds the spice marinade and confits the pork to tender, restaurant-quality perfection, making this iconic Cuban street food achievable at home.
About this recipe
Cuban Sandwich Thermomix TM7 style brings the vibrant flavours of Havana straight into your kitchen. Searching for Cuban sandwich recipes online leads food lovers to this all-in-one kitchen machine version, where the TM7 does the heavy lifting: it grinds cumin seeds, black peppercorns and dried oregano into a fragrant marinade, then slowly confits the pork shoulder in olive oil, garlic and citrus juices until it falls apart at the touch of a fork. Layered with ham, melty cheese and dill pickles on crusty bread and pressed until golden, this sandwich delivers crunch, tang and richness in every bite. It makes a spectacular weekend lunch, a crowd-pleasing party centrepiece or a hearty dinner when you want something more exciting than an ordinary toastie. Leftover confit pork also freezes brilliantly, giving you quick weeknight meals later in the week.
Preparation tips
- Marinate the pork shoulder overnight in the ground cumin, oregano, citrus juice and garlic so the flavours penetrate deeply; the acidity of the lemon and orange juice tenderises the meat while you sleep.
- For an authentic crust, butter the outside of the bread generously and press the sandwich in a hot pan or panini press with a weight on top, so the cheese melts just as the bread turns golden and crisp.
- Leftover confit pork keeps submerged in its olive oil in the fridge for several days; shred it fresh for another sandwich, toss it through rice, or serve it with pickles as a quick tapas-style snack.
- Shred the confit pork with two forks rather than slicing it, so every strand soaks up the garlicky cooking juices and the sandwich stays juicy under the press.
Recipe variations
- Make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free crusty rolls or ciabatta; brush them with olive oil instead of butter before pressing so the exterior still crisps up nicely around the pork and cheese.
- For a lighter, kid-friendly variant, swap the ham for roast chicken, reduce the pickles and add a mild honey-mustard spread, turning the Cuban into a milder pressed sandwich the whole family will enjoy.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Grinding function - The TM7 grinds cumin seeds and peppercorns into a fresh marinade powder that infuses the pork shoulder deeply. [Grinding]. [Multi-Function]
- Confiting at low temperature - The Thermomix slowly confits the garlic-studded pork in olive oil until it is fork-tender like bistro cooking. [Heating]. [Temperature Control]
- Built-in scale - Weigh the olive oil and citrus juices directly in the mixing bowl of the Thermomix for a balanced marinade. [Weighing]. [Built-in Scale]
- Chopping garlic - The Thermomix chops the garlic cloves finely in seconds, releasing maximum flavour into the citrus marinade. [Chopping]. [Multi-Function]
- Whipping the marinade - The TM7 whisks lemon juice, oil and spices into a quick emulsion that coats the pork evenly. [Whipping]. [Multi-Function]
Ingredients
- pork shoulder
- garlic cloves
- salt
- black peppercorns
- dried oregano
- cumin seeds
- orange juice
- lemon juice
- extra virgin olive oil
- water