These Cuban Sliders are everything you want in an appetizer and more!
They’re sweet, salty, tender, and crunchy – all in one bite. And they’re a breeze to make, so you can have a whole tray ready in a flash.
Once you try them, you’ll be hooked on these delectable little sandwiches.
Cuban Sliders
Cubanos are one of my favorite hot sandwiches. You can’t beat the juxtaposition of rich tanginess in every bite.
And these Cuban sliders are the same – only mini!
They’re loaded with savory roasted pork, salty ham, tangy mustard, and plenty of pickles.
Add a sweet Hawaiian roll and creamy melted Swiss cheese, and you might not want to share.
The best part? They’re ready in under 40 minutes. And you can even make them ahead of time.
Cuban sliders are ideal for game day, potlucks, get-togethers, or regular weeknights. They can be an appetizer or enjoy them as the main course!
Ingredients
There are a few key ingredients here, and they’re all needed to make the taste authentic!
So, here’s what you need to write on your shopping list:
- Hawaiian Rolls: They’re soft, sweet, and the perfect delivery device for all the yummy fillings.
- Mustard: This recipe calls for yellow mustard. But you can use Dijon if you prefer.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a bit of depth and umami to the sandwich. You’ll mix it with the mustard to make a sauce.
- Ham and Roasted Pork: Deli-sliced ham works best for this recipe. As does pre-cooked, pre-seasoned, roasted pork. If your store doesn’t sell it, try this Coca Cola pulled pork recipe and skip the barbecue sauce.
- Swiss Cheese: Its mild, nutty taste adds just the right amount of cheesiness, without compromising the other ingredients. Use slices over shredded.
- Pickles: Use pickle chips or sandwich slices, but they must be dill!
- Butter: Specifically, salted butter! Melt it, mix it with seasonings, and drizzle it over the sliders for the ultimate finishing touch.
- Herbs and Seasonings: You need onion powder, garlic powder, and fresh parsley. These mix with the butter to form the most delicious topping.
How To Make Cuban Sliders
Since you’ll start with pre-cooked meat, these come together fast. Here are the basic steps:
1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, but do not break them into individual rolls. Place the bottom half in a greased baking dish.
2. COMBINE. In a bowl, mix the melted butter, onion powder, garlic powder, and fresh parsley. In another bowl, mix the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Set both aside.
3. LAYER. Brush the mustard over the cut side of the buns. Arrange the ham slices evenly over the bottom half of the rolls, top with an even layer of beef, then the Swiss cheese slices, and finally, the pickles.
4. BRUSH. Place the top half of the rolls onto the sandwiches and brush with the butter mixture.
5. BAKE. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the tops are lightly browned and crisp.
6. SERVE. Let the sliders cool for a few minutes, then cut into individual sandwiches using a sharp knife. Serve the warm and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
For the purists out there, I should mention that changing the ingredients means they’re not Cuban sliders.
But it’s your dish! So go crazy!
- Switch up the buns. If you don’t love Hawaiian rolls, use potato buns, mini ciabatta rolls, or mini burger buns.
- Skip the pork. If you can’t find pork or don’t want to fuss with it, this will still be tasty with just ham. You can even use leftover holiday ham.
- Make it your own! Swap out any seasonings you don’t, skip the mustard, add ranch dressing – the sky’s the limit.
- Add crunch. The pickles help, but you could add red onions, fried onion, or even a layer of unsalted potato chips (yes, really).
How To Store
Believe it or not, you can make these ahead. And they store really well.
Here’s what you need to know:
Make-Ahead Sliders: Assemble the sliders the day before, but don’t bake them. Wrap them in the pan, store them in the fridge, then bake as instructed the next day.
Make-Ahead Freezer Sliders: Assemble the sliders, cover tightly with plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight and then bake as directed.
To Store: Transfer cold leftovers to an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Place leftovers in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.
What Goes Well with Cuban Sliders
These babies are super hearty, and there’s so much going on flavor-wise you don’t really need a side.
But if you want to make it a meal, here’s what I suggest:
- Fried potatoes. You can’t go wrong with these Popeyes fries or sweet potato fries– they’re classic. But good ol’ potato chips are never a bad idea.
- Authentic Cuban recipes. The sliders might not be 100% authentic, but these Cuban side dishes are. And why not follow it up with a traditional Cuban dessert.
- Soup. Soup and sandwiches are never a bad idea. Try your sliders with this delicious black bean soup.
- Salads. Cuban sliders are on the heavy side, so try them with a green salad for a more balanced meal. Fruit salad works, too!
- Pickles. I know that there are already pickles in the dish. But these air fryer fried pickles make a terrific, crunchy side!
More Slider Recipes You’ll Love
Turkey and Cheese Sliders
Big Mac Sliders
Pulled Pork Sliders
Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
Beef and Cheddar Sliders
Cuban Sliders
12
servings15
minutes20
minutes35
minutesThese Cuban Sliders, made with Hawaiian rolls, roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, are everything you want in an appetizer and more!
Ingredients
12 Hawaiian Rolls
1/4 cup yellow mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 pound thinly sliced deli ham
1/2 pound roasted pork, thinly sliced
6 slices Swiss cheese, cut into quarters
1 cup dill pickle slices
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Keeping the slider buns connected, slice them in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Place the bottom half of the buns on the prepared baking sheet or inside the dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the yellow mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Spread the mixture evenly over the cut side of the bottom buns.
- Layer the sliced ham evenly over the mustard-covered buns, followed by a layer of roasted pork and Swiss cheese. Top the cheese with the dill pickle slices, then place the top half of the slider buns over the pickles, cut side down.
- In another small bowl, combine the melted butter, onion powder, garlic powder, and chopped parsley. Brush this mixture evenly over the top of the slider buns.
- Cover the sliders loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the buns are lightly golden.
- Let the sliders cool for a few minutes before using a sharp knife to cut along the lines of the individual buns. Serve the Cuban sliders warm, and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the amount of mustard based on your preference or use Dijon instead of the yellow mustard.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, like extra mustard, jus, or aioli.
