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Juicy Cuban Sliders

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These Cuban Sliders bring the Cuban sandwich to slider form, made with Hawaiian rolls, pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles. Topped with garlic butter and baked golden, they're served with aioli on the side. Great for parties, game days, or dinner, this 45-minute recipe makes 12 sliders in one go. The flavors blend beautifully, creating warm, cheesy sandwiches that are hard to resist.
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Updated on Mon, 05 May 2025 15:19:25 GMT
A plate piled with mini sandwiches filled with meat and pickles. Pin it
A plate piled with mini sandwiches filled with meat and pickles. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Take a bite of these warm, gooey sliders that pack all the beloved Cuban flavors into one handheld treat. My take on Cuban sliders turns the traditional sandwich into bite-sized delights, loaded with juicy pulled pork, tasty ham, and melted Swiss cheese, all tucked inside soft, buttery Hawaiian rolls. They've become my favorite crowd-pleaser since I nailed this recipe in my kitchen.

I made these for my sister's birthday last week, and everyone couldn't stop grabbing more. The mix of textures and tastes had guests begging for my recipe before they'd even finished their first slider.

Must-Have Ingredients Breakdown

  • Hawaiian Rolls: Go for fresh, squishy rolls that feel tender to touch. Their hint of sweetness works magic against the savory fillings.
  • Pulled Pork: Grab mildly seasoned, soft pulled pork without any BBQ sauce. It should pull apart easily and stay moist.
  • Ham: Use thin-cut, good quality ham with a nice balance of saltiness and smokiness.
  • Swiss Cheese: Pick good Swiss that melts well. The stronger flavored ones really shine here.
  • Dill Pickles: Go for crunchy, thin pickle slices that add the perfect tang.
  • Yellow Mustard: Regular yellow mustard gives that real Cuban flavor, but you can try Dijon for something fancier.
  • Fresh Butter: Stick with unsalted butter so you can control how salty your sliders end up.

Crafting Irresistible Cuban Sliders

Setup Tricks:
Cut and Ready: Carefully split your Hawaiian rolls horizontally while keeping them attached.
Start Your Base:
Smear plenty of mustard across the bottom half of your rolls.
First Layer Magic:
Arrange ham slices so they cover every inch.
Main Attraction:
Spread pulled pork evenly, letting it sink slightly into the ham.
Cheese Blanket:
Lay Swiss cheese slices to reach every edge.
Pickle Placement:
Scatter pickle slices so every bite gets some tangy crunch.
Finish Assembly:
Add more mustard to the underside of the top buns.
Butter Touch:
Paint your seasoned butter mix all over the top surface.
A tray of sandwiches with meat and vegetables. Pin it
A tray of sandwiches with meat and vegetables. | tastefullyrecipe.com

In my family, food was always special, and pulled pork meant celebration time. My grandma would start cooking it days before any gathering, and I bring that same love for flavor into this recipe. The soft, seasoned meat turns these simple sliders into something you'll remember long after the last bite.

Best Side Dish Options

Serve these Cuban sliders with crunchy plantain chips for an authentic feel. A simple citrus slaw cuts through the richness wonderfully. For hungrier folks, a Cuban-style black bean soup makes it a full meal. My family loves them with fresh mango salsa on the side, which brings a bright, tropical twist to the table.

Recipe Tweaks

Switch things up by trying different cheeses like provolone or Gruyere. You can use leftover roast pork instead of pulled pork for a chunkier texture. Make them spicy with some pickled jalapeños or chipotle mustard. Several of my blog followers tell me they've had great results using turkey ham as a lighter choice.

Storage Smarts

You can keep assembled but unbaked sliders in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just cover them well. When you're ready to eat, add the butter topping and bake. If you have leftover cooked sliders, they'll stay good in a sealed container for two days. Warm them in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes until the cheese gets melty again. Try not to use the microwave as it makes the bread soggy.

A plate of sandwiches with meat and cheese on a table. Pin it
A plate of sandwiches with meat and cheese on a table. | tastefullyrecipe.com

I've spent years getting this recipe just right, and I love how these little sandwiches bring folks together. Whether you make them for game day or a fancy brunch, they always get people talking and smiling. Something special happens when you combine tender pork, savory ham and gooey cheese that's way more than just the sum of its parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these ahead of time?
Sure! You can put the sliders together a day early. Just keep them chilled in the fridge without the butter topping, and brush it on before baking.
→ Which pulled pork is best to use?
Grab some pre-made pulled pork from the store or make your own. Just ensure it’s seasoned well and heated up before assembling.
→ Is freezing these sliders an option?
Absolutely! Wrap them tight with foil before baking, and freeze for up to two months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
→ What side dishes go well with these sliders?
They taste great with slaw, chips, macaroni salad, or a simple green salad. Plus, the aioli sauce is perfect for dipping.
→ How do I stop the buns from getting soggy?
Place the cheese directly against the bread to protect it, and don’t overdo the mustard. Also, avoid overly juiced pulled pork.

Cuban Sliders Pulled Pork

Soft Hawaiian rolls filled with savory pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles then coated with rich garlic butter. Perfect handheld bites!

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Fusion of Cuban and American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 mini sliders)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Slider essentials

01 Soft King's Hawaiian Rolls, one pack of 12
02 Creamy mustard, either Dijon or yellow, split into 1/4 cup portions
03 Thin slices of black forest or honey ham (8 oz)
04 Warm shredded pork, around a pound
05 Slices of Swiss cheese, about 12, weighing 7 oz
06 Long pickle slices from 3-4 dill pickles

→ Buttery glaze

07 Unsalted butter, melted (1/4 cup)
08 Finely chopped, fresh parsley (1 tbsp)
09 Kosher salt, a small pinch (1/2 tsp)
10 Garlic powder for flavor (1/2 tsp)

→ Signature dip

11 Mayonnaise, smooth and creamy (3/4 cup)
12 Dijon mustard, tangy and bold (1/4 cup)
13 Garlic cloves, minced nicely or pressed fine (4 cloves)
14 A splash of lemon juice, freshly squeezed (2 tsp)
15 Ground cumin, a touch of warmth (1/4 tsp)
16 Season lightly with salt and freshly cracked pepper

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13 pan by greasing it lightly with spray or butter so your sliders won't stick.

Step 02

Keep the rolls in a single block and cut them horizontally with a serrated knife. Place the bottom half in the prepared pan.

Step 03

Spread mustard on the bottom rolls first. Then stack ham, Swiss cheese slices, shredded pork, and the pickles. Add more mustard on the top layer of rolls before covering the sliders.

Step 04

Combine melted butter with parsley, garlic powder, and salt until mixed well. Pour this mix over the sliders evenly.

Step 05

Wrap the dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until warm with gooey cheese. Remove the foil and bake another 5-10 minutes until the tops are golden. Optionally, brush with a bit more butter once they're out of the oven.

Notes

  1. Store-bought pulled pork works great—Costco's 2lb container is a good option. Or you can use homemade if you prefer.
  2. It's all the delicious flavors of a Cuban sandwich turned into easy-to-share sliders.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking dish, 9x13 inches
  • Sharp serrated knife
  • Brush for spreading butter
  • Foil for covering while baking

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy is present (includes butter and cheese)
  • Gluten from the King's Hawaiian Rolls
  • Egg is used in mayonnaise

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 330
  • Total Fat: 26 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 24 g
  • Protein: 14 g