If you love a traditional Cuban sandwich, then this sweet, tangy, buttery and cheesy Cuban slider recipe is for you! It's perfect for tailgating or movie night snack. This make-ahead sandwich is a great dinner and will be a family favorite!
Like my recipe for Sticky Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip, Cuban Sliders are perfect for tailgating!
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe irresistible
- Ingredients you’ll need
- Step-by-step instructions
- Essential tools for this recipe
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
- Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
- How to store leftovers
- More tailgating recipes you’ll love
- Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- Cuban Sliders Recipe
- Recipe backstory
What makes this recipe irresistible
You will love the Cubano Sandwich! Cuban Sliders are sweet, buttery, salty, tangy, spicy, cheesy and amazing! Because they are made the night before, this is easy sandwich perfection!
No fancy panini maker is necessary!
Ingredients you’ll need
For the exact measurements Cuban Slider Recipe, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Package of sweet King's Hawaiian Rolls are the closest to sweet Cuban bread - If you don't have Hawaiian Sweet Rolls available, fluffy potato rolls, dinner rolls or mini bun would be a great substitute! You're looking for a soft slider roll, not one with a firm crust.
- Ham slices - you can use deli counter sliced ham, honey ham, pork roast, leftover pork tenderloin as well. Or a combo of ham and sliced pork or shredded pork.
- Crisp dill pickle slices - no substitute here, need that briny bite!
- Swiss and cheddar cheese - you can substitute coldly jack or mozzarella for the cheddar, Swiss cheese is a must have ingredient for the Cuban Hawaiian Sliders.
- Melted butter, yellow mustard or dijon mustard or grainy mustard, cumin, pepper, salt, garlic powder - for the butter sauce
- Poppy seeds or sesame seeds
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the Cuban Hawaiian Sandwiches. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Prepare the butter sauce - in a small saucepan melt the butter, add the spices and seasoning, mix to combine.
- Pour ⅓ of the sauce to the bottom of a baking dish.
- Slice each Hawaiian roll in half with a serrated knife. Slather both sides of the buns with mustard. Put the bottom half of the rolls in the buttered baking dish.
- Pile on the sandwich fillings - sliced cheese, ham, pickles. Top with Swiss Cheese, add the top of the slider bun.
- Finish by pouring the remaining butter mixture on the top of the sliders. Cover and refrigerate.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is hot and gooey and the top is golden brown!
This recipe checks all of those boxes!
Essential tools for this recipe
- Pyrex Square Baking Dish
- Spatula for spreading the mustard mixture.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Typically with sliced ham and roast pork, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickled - then pressed or grilled until crispy and the cheese is melted.
Unless you're lucky enough to have a latino bakery nearby look for a soft French roll or Italian roll. For the sliders the Hawaiian rolls are perfect!
They are terrific hot out of the oven and make a lovely cold snack as well.
Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
For the best flavor, use high-quality deli ham and cheese.
- Pickles can be sliced or you can use dill pickle chips, which ever you prefer.
Serve hot out of the oven, with the melted cheese and salty ham. Or serve the mini Cuban Sandwiches at room temperature. I've enjoyed them both ways and they are delicious. That's why these are great for tailgating or watching the big game!
How to store leftovers
If you're looking for more party food to serve with the Cuban pork sandwiches. here are a few more recipes for tailgating and a few easy slider recipes!
More tailgating recipes you’ll love
- Pizza Bombs! Whether you make them vegetarian and filled with onions, peppers, olives and cheese or stuffed with your favorite meaty pizza toppings these are always a hit! Or make this Air Fryer Quesadillas Recipe they are always a hit!Asian Turkey Sliders or Pulled Pork Sliders - SO easy and SO good! Both are topped with a yummy Asian slaw!
- Bean and Cheese Dip - only 3 ingredients.
- Hot Sloppy Joe Dip is great party food!
- Sloppy Joes - easy to make and perfect for tailgating!
- If you're tailgating, this Beer Brat Recipe is a must make!
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
These are a perfect appetizer for your next party or terrific weeknight meal!
- If you're having a get-together be sure to make a couple of salads to place on the buffet as well! Potato Salad or Macaroni Salad, would be fantastic!
- Make it a party by serving an Ocean Breeze Cocktail.
If you're keeping it simple, serve with French fries or potato chips.
When you make this please comment below and let me know what you think! I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover - so I can see your photos!
Cuban Sliders Recipe
Equipment
- Chef's Knife
- Plastic Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 package of Hawaiian rolls or your favorite slider rolls - you'll need 12 rolls.
- 24 slices ham thinly sliced
- 12 slices Swiss cheese
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 1-2 dill pickles thinly sliced
- Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon pepper sauce (I used tabasco sauce)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tsps poppy seeds
- yellow mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the butter sauce in a small bowl - melt the butter, add the spices and seasoning. Add about a third of the sauce to the bottom of a baking pan.
- Slice the slider buns in half. Slather mustard on both sides of the sliced buns. Place the bottom halves of the bun in the buttered baking dish.
- Top the bottom half of each bun with ½ slice of cheddar, 2 pieces of thinly sliced deli ham, sliced pickles and top with layers of Swiss cheese. Finish by adding the top of the bun.
- Brush the remainder of the sauce over the top of the rolls. Cover with aluminum foil. While you're covering, press down lightly to bind the ingredients. Tuck in the refrigerator for four hours or even better - overnight.
- Remove the pan from the refrigerator and allow the casserole dish to come to room temperature for 15 minutes. Before baking loosen the foil from the top of the buns (that way they do not stick when you remove the foil after baking).
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Remove the foil and return the pan back to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
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Nutrition
Recipe backstory
At any given time there are at least two jars of dill pickles in our refrigerator. I'm obsessed with pickles. I'm not sure why?
When I first saw a recipe for a Cuban sandwich with a big slice of dill pickle
I first got the idea to turn this sandwich into a slider when we were home for Thanksgiving a few years back. I developed the recipe there. Served it up to my entire family (for the first time) and got their unanimous stamp of approval.
When I was a teenager my summer job was working at Steinfeld's Pickle Plant in Portland Oregon. So you'd think after wearing blisters on my thumbs from packing cucumbers into jars, I'd be sick of them.
But no. I eat pickles every day, sometimes several a day. I probably need to seek help! 🤣
Published February 2, 2017 - Updated May 25, 2021
Doctor Grandma Jeannie says
Sorry - 2nd question. I can not figure out how much mustard you use or recommend, or where you put it…
The BLOG states the following:
“Melted butter, yellow mustard or dijon mustard or grainy mustard, cumin, pepper, salt, garlic powder - for the butter sauce “
This clearly implies that the mustard goes INTO the butter sauce.
BUT ALSO states:
• “Prepare the butter sauce…
• Slather both sides of the buns with mustard sauce.
• Finish by pouring the remaining butter mixture…”
This clearly implies that the butter sauce and the mustard sauce are two different entities.
BUT THEN the RECIPE states:
“Prepare the butter sauce …
Slather mustard on both sides…
Brush the remainder of the sauce…”
This implies that the butter sauce does not contain mustard, there is no mustard “sauce”, and you should just use plain mustard.
Katie April 12, 2017 at 9:12 am
…your recipe directions say to slather the "mustard sauce" but your ingredients list doesn't have mustard or a mustard sauce. Are you referring to just plain yellow mustard…
• Reply from Bowl Me Over April 13, 2017 at 2:42 pm
…I updated the directions. You'll slather just the mustard on both sides of the bun - just plain mustard, Yes!! …
This agrees with the current directions in the recipe, but it is still clearly in conflict with the blog. (which is in conflict with itself!)
And NOwhere can I find out how much mustard you recommend or use!
I am assuming that the butter sauce does not contain mustard or poppy seeds, I am assuming that plain mustard is spread on the rolls, and poppy seeds are sprinkled on top of the finished rolls. However, this is VERY confusing! Clarification would be appreciated. Thanks!
Debra Clark says
For the complete instructions, scroll to the recipe card. The information in the middle is abbreviated. You'll spread the mustard on the sliced side of the buns. You'll need about 3-4 tablespoons.
Doctor Grandma Jeannie says
Do the poppy seeds go in the butter sauce, or just sprinkled on top of the assembled rolls?
Debra Clark says
I sprinkle them on the top.
Carly says
I found this recipe a couple of weeks ago and they were a huge hit! I am making them again for tomorrow’s game!!
Bowl Me Over says
That's awesome Carly! I love these too, just the perfect bite - Cuban sandwiches are the BEST!!!
Katie says
I happened across your recipe on Pinterest. A quick question; your recipe directions say to slather the "mustard sauce" but your ingredients list doesn't have mustard or a mustard sauce. Are you referring to just plain yellow mustard? Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
Hey Katie - boy do I feel dense! 😀 I updated the directions. You'll slather just the mustard on both sides of the bun - just plain mustard, Yes!! Sorry about that and thank you for bringing it to my attention! Enjoy these sliders, they are great!!
Jenny | Honey and Birch says
My husband and I are obsessed with pickles too! We are constantly buying more jars at the grocery store.
Bowl Me Over says
Mmmmm..... never enough pickles, right? 😀
Jennifer A Stewart says
I am always so happy to find recipes that I can put together and then forget about until ready to cook and serve! I am also a huge fan of pickles and love the sour dill ones the best!! I hope people don't think I am pregnant because I eat so many of them:)
Bowl Me Over says
Haha! That is totally me, always with my hand in the pickle jar!:D And if I was pregnant....well that would be a miracles, LOL! Thanks for stopping by Jennifer, enjoy the sliders!!
Sandra Shaffer says
YUM! These sandwiches look so tasty! Love the garlic and poppy seeds lathered on top!
Bowl Me Over says
I made another batch of these yesterday, my husband just loved the big flavor! Thanks Sandra!!!
Michelle says
These look delicious...Cuban sandwiches are one of my favorites! And like you, I'm obsessed with pickles too...we always have several jars in the fridge! I'd rather eat pickles than cookies!
Bowl Me Over says
Me too Michelle - I think I'm missing the sweet tooth gene! Thanks so much for checking out the recipe!
Justine says
I love Cuban sandwiches and these have me drooling!
Bowl Me Over says
Me too Justine, love that cheesy salty bite. Thank you!!
Aunt Bee says
I absolutely love sliders! I have to try these. They look GREAT!
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome, swing back by and let me know what you think!! Thanks Aunt Bee!!
debi at Life Currents says
What a great recipe! I love that these will be perfect for tomorrow's game. My friends and family will love them!
Bowl Me Over says
I know they will Debi, enjoy the game! Go Falcons!! 😀
Deanna says
Mmmm This perfect for Sunday's Game!!!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Deanna, I hope you give them a try!
Angela says
Wow, these sliders are amazing and I need them in my life asap haha! I know what I'm making this weekend! Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes!! Your life will life will now be complete!! 😀 Seriously though these are fab, enjoy!
Dan Clark says
The flavor is bold and unbelievable! Hard to stop eating them once you start!
Bowl Me Over says
Haha! Well my love you are a little bias 😀 Love to have your BIG stamp of approval!! Thank you so much for commenting!!!
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says
I love cuban sandwiches and putting them in slider form is PERFECT for a Super Bowl party! YUM!!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Lisa - so yummy & so flavorful!!!
Shay says
I can't find the recipe?
Bowl Me Over says
Hi Shay - the link is at the bottom of the post. Also there is a button right underneath the title of the blog post (at the very top) that say JUMP TO RECIPE - just click that and it will take you right to the recipe!