Jul 14 2026

The Cubano Recipe

Time12h
Serves4

12-hour braised pork shoulder, country ham, swiss side string fries with fry sauce

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Ingredients

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Braised Pork Shoulder

Method

Braised Pork Shoulder

  1. 1

    Prepare the Pork

    Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the pork shoulder with salt and black pepper, then sear on all sides until browned.

  2. 2

    Add Aromatics

    Add diced onions and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Spices and Broth

    Stir in the oregano, cumin, bay leaves, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

  4. 4

    Braise the Pork

    Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Let the pork shoulder braise for about 12 hours or until it's tender and easily shredded.

  5. 5

    Shred the Pork

    Remove the pork shoulder from the pot, let it cool slightly, then shred with two forks.

Sandwich Assembly

  1. 6

    Assemble the Sandwich

    On the bottom half of each Cuban roll, layer shredded pork, country ham, and Swiss cheese.

  2. 7

    Grill the Sandwich

    Spread softened butter on the outside of the rolls. Grill the sandwiches in a skillet or panini press until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.

Side String Fries

  1. 8

    Prepare the Fries

    Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).

  2. 9

    Fry the Potatoes

    Carefully add the julienned potatoes to the hot oil in batches. Fry until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes.

  3. 10

    Drain and Season

    Remove fries from the oil and drain on paper towels. Season with salt while still hot.

Fry Sauce

  1. 11

    Mix the Sauce

    In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir until well mixed. Adjust salt to taste.

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