Welcome to a culinary journey that brings the vibrant flavors of Cuba straight to your kitchen! If you’re searching for an appetizer that’s as irresistibly delicious as it is easy to make, look no further than these incredible **Cuban Sliders**. This recipe is my delightful take on the legendary Cubano sandwich, transformed into bite-sized marvels perfect for any occasion. Imagine tender, slow-cooked mojo pork, savory deli ham, tangy dill pickles, and creamy Swiss cheese, all perfectly balanced with a zesty mustard spread, nestled between soft, buttery sweet rolls. Baked to golden perfection with a fragrant herb-infused butter topping, these mini sandwiches are guaranteed to be the star of your next lunch, dinner party, or game day gathering. Prepare to fall in love with these handheld flavor explosions!
What Exactly is a Cubano Sandwich? The Classic Inspiration
Before we dive into these incredible sliders, let’s appreciate the culinary icon that inspired them: the Cubano sandwich. Originating from Cuban immigrant communities in Florida, particularly Tampa and Miami, the Cubano is far more than just a ham and cheese sandwich. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures, traditionally featuring roasted pork (often marinated in a citrusy mojo sauce), glazed ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and yellow mustard, all pressed between slices of crusty Cuban bread. The key to an authentic Cubano lies in its preparation: it’s not simply assembled, but pressed and toasted until the cheese melts, the bread crisps, and all the ingredients meld into a warm, savory masterpiece. The balance of salty ham, rich pork, creamy cheese, and the sharp tang of pickles and mustard creates an unforgettable taste experience. My Cuban Sliders capture this classic essence, making it accessible and utterly addictive in a smaller, shareable format.
Why You’ll Love These Cuban Sliders: The Perfect Party Food
There are countless reasons why these Cuban Sliders will become your new go-to recipe for entertaining and everyday meals. First, their convenient slider size makes them ideal for parties. They’re easy to pick up, no utensils required, and perfect for mingling guests. Second, they’re incredibly versatile: serve them as a hearty appetizer, a satisfying lunch, a simple dinner with a side salad, or the ultimate game day snack. Third, the “baked” slider method ensures maximum flavor and gooey deliciousness. Baking them together allows the cheese to melt perfectly and the butter topping to infuse every crevice of the sweet rolls with savory goodness. Plus, preparing a whole tray at once means less individual assembly and more time enjoying your guests or relaxing. Forget soggy sandwiches; these sliders maintain their integrity and deliver incredible flavor in every single bite.
Essential Ingredients for Unforgettable Cuban Sliders
Crafting these delectable sliders requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in replicating the classic Cubano flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- **King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls**: These are my absolute favorite for sliders. Their soft, fluffy texture and subtle sweetness perfectly complement the savory fillings.
- **Deli Ham**: Thinly sliced, good quality deli ham provides that essential salty, cured pork flavor.
- **Mojo Roast Pork**: The star of the show! Tender, shredded pork marinated in a citrusy, garlicky mojo sauce.
- **Swiss Cheese**: Creamy, nutty Swiss cheese melts beautifully and adds a smooth counterpoint to the other robust flavors.
- **Dill Pickles**: Crisp, tangy dill pickle slices cut through the richness of the meats and cheese, adding a crucial zing.
- **Yellow Mustard**: A classic American yellow mustard provides the signature sharp, acidic kick that defines a Cubano.
- **Unsalted Butter**: Essential for the savory topping that will make these rolls golden and flavorful.
- **Poppy Seeds**: Adds a subtle crunch and visual appeal to the butter topping.
- **Dried Oregano, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, and Black Pepper**: These spices form the aromatic backbone of the delicious butter topping, tying all the flavors together.
For my version, I swear by King’s Hawaiian slider rolls. They are consistently moist, perfectly sized, and their unique sweetness is a fantastic contrast to the savory fillings. Trust me, once you try them, you won’t go back to any other roll for your slider recipes!
The Heart of the Sandwich: Mastering Mojo Roast Pork
The secret to truly outstanding Cuban Sliders lies in the succulent **mojo roast pork**. Mojo is a flavorful marinade and sauce, deeply rooted in Cuban cuisine. It’s typically made from a vibrant blend of fresh orange juice, lime juice, garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. This aromatic combination infuses the pork with a bright, tangy, and savory flavor that is utterly irresistible. The citrus acids tenderize the meat beautifully, resulting in a juicy, shredded pork that is bursting with authentic Cuban taste.
To make these sliders incredibly simple to prepare, I often seek out already prepared mojo pork. Many local food markets, especially those with a good deli or prepared foods section, carry it. Look for it at the cold cut counter – it’s a huge time-saver and makes assembling these sliders a breeze. You’ll need about 2 cups of shredded mojo pork for this recipe, ensuring each slider is generously filled with that delicious, slow-cooked goodness.
If finding pre-made mojo pork proves difficult, or if you simply prefer the satisfaction of making it from scratch, you’re in luck! You can easily prepare homemade mojo pork. I recommend using my recipe for Crispy Pork Carnitas Tacos, but with a slight modification. Follow the pork cooking instructions through step two, which involves slow-cooking the pork until it’s fork-tender and ready to be shredded. For these sliders, you’ll omit the final step of crisping the pork in the oven, as we want moist, shredded pork rather than crispy pieces. This method yields a perfectly tender and flavorful mojo pork that will elevate your sliders to another level. Don’t worry if you have extra; homemade mojo pork is incredibly versatile and makes for fantastic leftovers in tacos, bowls, or other sandwiches. It truly won’t go to waste!
Assembling Your Irresistible Cuban Sliders: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these melt-in-your-mouth Cuban Sliders is surprisingly straightforward. The beauty of this recipe lies in its assembly-line efficiency, allowing you to quickly prepare a large batch of delicious mini sandwiches. When you double this recipe, they become an excellent option for feeding a crowd, whether for a big dinner party or a lively game day celebration.
Let’s walk through the simple steps to assemble these flavorful bites:
- **Prepare Your Pan and Rolls**: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Next, take your package of Hawaiian sweet rolls. Using a large, serrated knife, carefully slice the entire block of rolls in half horizontally, creating a top slab and a bottom slab, keeping all the rolls connected. Place the bottom slab of rolls into your prepared baking pan.
- **Layer the Savory Fillings**: This is where the magic happens! Arrange the thinly sliced deli ham evenly over the bottom layer of rolls. Next, generously spread the shredded mojo pork over the ham. Follow this with a layer of crisp dill pickle slices – I recommend about two slices per slider for that perfect tangy crunch. Finally, top with the thinly sliced Swiss cheese, ensuring each slider section gets a good portion.
- **Add the Mustard and Top It Off**: On the underside of the top slab of rolls, spread a thin, even layer of yellow mustard. This ensures every bite gets that essential zesty kick. Carefully place the mustard-coated top slab of rolls over the cheese layer in the baking pan.
- **The Flavorful Butter Topping**: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, poppy seeds, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until well combined. This aromatic mixture is what gives the sliders their golden-brown finish and irresistible savory depth.
- **Pour and Bake**: Evenly pour the prepared butter mixture over the tops of the assembled rolls. Make sure to let it seep into all the cracks and crevices between the rolls – this is crucial for maximum flavor and a beautifully browned crust. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and let it stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the butter to soak into the rolls.
- **Bake to Perfection**: Bake the covered sliders for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously melted and gooey. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and slightly crispy.
- **Serve Hot**: Once baked, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Using a knife, cut along the natural lines of the rolls to create individual sliders. Serve these hot, cheesy, and utterly delicious Cuban Sliders immediately!
Chef’s Tips for Perfect Cuban Sliders Every Time
Achieving culinary perfection with these Cuban Sliders is easy with a few simple notes and considerations:
- **Sourcing Mojo Pork**: As mentioned, check your local market’s prepared food section first. Many grocery stores offer excellent pre-cooked shredded pork that you can easily season with some citrus juices and spices if it’s not explicitly “mojo” flavored. You’ll need approximately 2 cups for this recipe. This is the ultimate shortcut!
- **Homemade Mojo Pork Ahead of Time**: If you opt for homemade mojo pork using my Crispy Pork Carnitas recipe (stopping at step two), you can absolutely prepare the pork the night before. This allows the flavors to deepen and makes the slider assembly on the day of serving quick and stress-free. Simply reheat the pork gently before layering it into the sliders.
- **Don’t Skimp on the Butter Topping**: That glorious butter mixture isn’t just for show! It helps the rolls toast beautifully, adds incredible flavor, and keeps them from drying out. Ensure it’s evenly distributed.
- **Freshness Matters**: While sliders are often made for convenience, using fresh, good quality ingredients, especially the ham and Swiss cheese, will make a noticeable difference in taste.
- **Serving Temperature**: These sliders are best served warm, straight from the oven, when the cheese is perfectly melted and the rolls are soft and buttery.
More Delicious Slider Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of baked sliders, I have plenty more recipes that you’ll adore:
- Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders: A mini version of the classic open-faced turkey sandwich, smothered in a rich Mornay sauce.
- Tony’s Baked Cheeseburger Sliders: All the flavors of your favorite cheeseburger, baked to perfection in an easy-to-serve format.
- Hot Honey Pulled Chicken Sliders: Sweet and spicy pulled chicken on soft rolls, a fantastic blend of flavors.
Cuban Sliders
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These Cuban Sliders are my take on the classic Cubano sandwich. These little sammies are loaded with mojo pork, ham, swiss, pickles and mustard sandwiched between buttery sweet rolls. They’re absolutely irresistible! Perfect for lunch, dinner or game day!
Ingredients
Butter Topping
- 8 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
Sliders
- 12 count package Hawaiian sweet rolls, halved
- 2 cups shredded mojo pork
- 12 oz. deli ham, thinly sliced
- 8 oz. Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
- 1 cup dill pickle slices, about 24 total (two per slider)
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
Instructions
Butter Topping
- In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients for butter topping until well combined. Set aside.
Sliders
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Using a large knife, slice the rolls in half so you have a portion of tops and a portion of bottoms. You want both portions of the rolls to remain connected, so there are two slabs. Place the bottom portion in the prepared pan.
- Place the ham on top of the roll bottoms, then the shredded mojo pork, the pickle slices and finally the cheese slices. Spread the mustard on the underside of the top portion of the rolls and then place the rolls on top of the cheese. Pour the butter mixture evenly on top of the rolls making sure to get in between all the cracks.
- Cover pan with aluminum foil and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes, then bake covered for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove foil and continue to cook for 5 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Cut into individual sliders and serve immediately.
Notes
As mentioned above, to make things simple check your local market’s prepared food section to see if they have a good mojo pork. You’ll need about 2 cups for this recipe.
If you do decide to make homemade mojo pork check out my recipe that’s linked above. You can make the pork the night before if you’d like, so the day you serve the sliders they’ll be easy to assemble and bake.
Nutrition
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag Mention @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!