Best Pork Cubano Recipes

CUBAN ROAST PORK, PERNIL O PIERNA ASADA ESTILO CUBANO

Steps:

• 1. Buy a nice large pork shoulder or fresh ham try to buy with the skin on the fresh ham. I am doubtful you will find a pork shoulder with the skin on it but you can try.
• 2. THE NIGHT BEFORE: Take your pork shoulder or fresh ham and stab it all over making deep stabbings in the meat all over the roast. Next, take your salt and pour about two tablespoons full in your hands and rub deep all over the pork roast or fresh ham sticking your fingers in the deep stabbed holes to penetrate the salt well into the meat. Do this all around the fresh ham. You will need about 2 tablespoons of salt altogether. If it is a very large fresh ham you might need as much as three tablespoons of salt. Rubbing deep into the meat all over and into the holes made with a sharp knife. Please be careful with the knife when stabbing the pork so as to not cut yourself. Make sure your hands are dry as well as the handle of the knife when stapping the pork. You do not want your hand to slide down onto the sharp blade as I have seen happen when stabbing the pork.
• 3. After salting put the pork to a side. In a blender add the lime/lemon or sour oange juice, garlic cloves, and the seasonings bay leaf, cumin powder, oregano, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt. Blend on high until all is liquified.
• 4. This is your Cuban Mojo, pour one cup of the mojo in a jar cover and reserve for later.
• 5. Now take your pork roast and pour the rest of the sauce all over the pork roast rubbing the mojo sauce deep into the pork meat in the slits or holes. The secret is to make sure you rub your pork meat roast or fresh ham with all this lime/garlic sauce making sure it is well introduced into the meat.
• 6. When done sprinkle a little more oregano, cumin, black pepper over the entire roast again just a little sprinkle. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate until the next day for roasting.
• 7. Next day remove pork from the refrigerator let stand on the counter for at least an hour then put into a preheated 325 degree oven.
• 8. Depending on how large a roast you have roast about 3 to 4 hours or a little more.
• 9. Pour a half cup of the reserved mojo and baste your roast every hour with some of the mojo.
• 10. Roast is done when the juices run clear and the meat is tender. Do not cover with aluminum foil to roast. You can tent the roast with aluminum foil but do not crimp the edges all around. You want to roast your pork meat not steam it. I do not even tent mine.
• 11. If the roast starts to get too brown on top tent it with the foil. Take a large piece of foil and fold in half then put over the roast leaving the sides open, no crimping. A five pound roast can take as long as five or six hours slow roasting. When done remove roast from the oven take out of the pan put into another pan. Let roast hang out for a bit.
• 12. In your pan there should be lots of pan drippings. Pour them into a frying pan over medium heat and add the onions and fry them in the drippings.
• 13. Next, take a half cup of the reserved mojo from the refrigerator and pour into the onions sauteing everything for about five minutes. After about 10 minutes slice all of your roast and pour the mojo with onions all over the meat mixing it well into all of the pork meat. Serve with Cuban black beans and white rice. There is another traditional dish served with the pork, rice, and black beans. It is called Yuca (Casava). It is boiled when tender it is served with the pork, black beans, and rice. It looks like boiled potato only it is long and very starchy. It is served with a mojo sauce that is also pored over it but only lemon or lime juice and fresh garlic are used. But that is another recipe. It is a tradition to also include that dish with the Cuban roast pork dinner. Don't forget the Crispy Cuban bread and the Sangria or wine, For dessert pass a delicious flan. Buen Apetito. Enjoy.

CUBANO PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil an oven-proof pan large enough to fit the tenderloin over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute until just starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in parsley and mustard. Transfer to a bowl and season with pepper.
• Place tenderloin on a flat work surface. Slice horizontally through the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Open the 2 sides and spread them out like an open book. Place pork between 2 sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a 1/2-inch thickness. Trim any extra pieces so the tenderloin is rectangular.
• Chop the pork trimmings finely and add to the onion mixture. Spread onion mixture onto pork. Lay ham slices over it and sprinkle Gruyere cheese on top. Roll tenderloin up along the long side. Tie with cotton kitchen string. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat remaining oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Sear tenderloin in the hot oil until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
• Transfer pan to the preheated oven and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the tenderloin reads 145 degrees F (71 degrees C), 25 to 30 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

PORK TENDERLOIN CUBANO

Steps:

• Place the pork in a non-reactive container or plastic bag.
• In a bowl, whisk together the salt, pepper, garlic, onion, oregano, molasses, orange juice, lime juice, and rum.
• Pour the marinade over the pork, coating all surfaces.
• Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours and as much as overnight.
• Return to room temperature before cooking.
• Grill method: Grill the tenderloins over hot coals, 4 inches from the heat source, about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, basting with the reserved marinade.
• Oven method: Roast the pork in a 400F oven for 20-25 minutes.
• Let the meat rest for 5 minutes; then slice into 3/4 inch thick rounds and serve.

CUBANO PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients. Cut roast into thirds; rub with oil. Rub spice mixture over meat; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate, covered, 24 hours., In a large saucepan, combine onion, wine, juices, bay leaf and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 45 minutes. Strain sauce, discarding onion and seasonings., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Brown roast on all sides; drain. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker. Pour sauce over meat. Cook, covered, on low 8-10 hours or until meat is tender. Remove roast; cool slightly. Skim fat from cooking juices. Shred pork with 2 forks. Return pork to slow cooker; heat through., Preheat oven to 325°. Split bread horizontally. Hollow out bottoms of loaves, leaving 3/4-in. shells. Spread relish and mustard inside shells. Layer with meat and cheese. Replace tops., Wrap sandwiches tightly in heavy-duty foil. Place on baking sheets. Bake 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Cut each crosswise into 12 slices.

SMOKED CUBAN (CUBANO) PORK

Steps:

• 1. Gather your ingredients
• 2. Add all the marinade ingredients to a large bowl and stir until completely dissolved.
• 3. Use a sharp knife to cut a crosshatch pattern into the fat cap, and the bottom of the pork.
• 4. Chef's Note: This will help the marinade to penetrate into the pork.
• 5. Add the pork and the marinade to a large Ziploc bag, or non-reactive bowl.
• 6. Chef's Note: Because of the size of these pork butts, I'm using turkey-basting bags that I got from Williams-Sonoma.
• 7. Place in the fridge for 12, and up to 24 hours.
• 8. Chef's Note: If you're like me, and you like to peek into the fridge every now and then... Well, while you're in there, give the bag a big old squeeze or two.
• 9. Chef's Tip: Ziploc bags have been known to spring a leak. To keep this from becoming a problem, place the bag in a bowl, or on a large plate.
• 10. After 24 hours remove the pork from the marinade, and save about two cups.
• 11. Place the marinade into a small saucepan, and allow it to simmer for about 20 minutes, then remove and reserve.
• 12. Preheat your smoker to 225f (107c).
• 13. Thoroughly coat the pork with the dry rub... Rub it in good.
• 14. Chef's Note: My dry rub consists of equal amounts of black pepper, cumin, paprika, onion powder, salt, and then a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.
• 15. Add the pork butt to the smoker, along with two bricks.
• 16. Chef's Note: The bricks are optional, but I'll explain that later.
• 17. Allow the pork butt to smoke until reaching an internal temperature of 200f (94c).
• 18. Chef's Note: Once an hour, for the first 6 hours, open the smoker, and mop the pork butt with the reserved marinade.
• 19. Chef's Note: Depending on your cut of meat, it could take 12 hours to reach the magic number. But don't hasten the process by raising the heat... have patience.
• 20. Optional Step: Remove the pork butt from the smoker, wrap in foil, then place into a beverage cooler, and place some tea towels around it, plus the two hot bricks. Let it sit for two hours. What this does is finish up the melting of the collagen, and makes this pork melt in your mouth.
• 21. Chef's Tip: I made my own box out of Styrofoam, but a typical Coleman cooler will work just fine.
• 22. Remove from the cooler, and shred. If the meat is a bit dry, add a small amount of the reserved marinade.
• 23. Chef's Note: I tried several ways to cut the meat for a Cubano sandwich; however, shredded is the way to go.
• 24. There you go... the perfect Cuban smoked pork. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

PORK TENDERLOIN CUBANO

Steps:

• Mix first 10 ingredients in large resealable plastic bag. Add pork to marinade. Close bag and turn pork to coat. Refrigerate overnight, turning pork once.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Transfer pork to baking pan; discard marinade. Roast until thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 150°F, about 25 minutes. Let pork stand 5 minutes. Cut pork crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange on platter. Garnish with orange slices and cilantro sprigs and serve.

PORK ROAST CUBANO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, brown roast in oil on all sides. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add black beans, sweet potato and red pepper. In a small bowl, mix coconut milk, salsa and ginger; pour over meat., Cook, covered, on low 7-9 hours or until pork is tender. Sprinkle with green onions; serve with papaya.

PORK CHOPS CUBANO WITH GARLIC-CITRUS SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Place cereal in resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag and crush with rolling pin or meat mallet (or crush in food processor).
• In shallow dish, mix cereal, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1 teaspoon garlic, the orange peel, onion powder, oregano, cumin and pepper. Dip pork chops into buttermilk; coat completely with cereal mixture. Place on cookie sheet.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until pork is no longer pink in center.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook 1 tablespoon garlic in oil about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until golden. Stir in lime and orange juices. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons cilantro. Cover; refrigerate until serving time. Serve with pork chops.

GRILLED CUBANO: TURKEY, PORK AND SWISS WITH MUSTARD AND PICKLES

Steps:

• 1. Cut roll.
• 2. Spread mustard on top of roll.
• 3. Place two slices of cheese onto each side of roll.
• 4. Stack cheese, pork, turkey, and pickle onto bottom of roll.
• 5. Close sandwich.
• 6. Melt a tablespoon of butter in pan.
• 7. Press down on sandwich and grill over moderate heat for approximately 3-4 minutes on both sides, pressing down firmly from time to time.

CUBANO PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Rinse the tenderloins, pat dry and place in a resealable plastic bag.
• Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over the tenderloins.
• Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, turning occasionally.
• Drain and discard the marinade; place the tenderloins in a foil lined baking pan.
• Roast the tenderloins at 350 degrees until a meat thermometer registers 150 degrees, approximately 30-40 minutes.
• Let the pork rest 5-10 minutes before slicing in 1/2" slices to serve.

CUBANO SANDWICHES WITH MOJO-BRAISED PORK SHOULDER

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place the pork shoulder on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• Preheat a medium Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and swirl to coat. Add the pork shoulder and brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from the pot and add the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add the onions, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until softened, 3 minutes. Add the dried oregano, garlic, chiles de arbol and bay leaf and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the pork shoulder back to the pot fat-side up, then add the chicken stock, lime juice and orange juice, adding more stock or water if necessary to reach halfway up the meat. Bring to a simmer and cover the pot. Transfer to the oven and braise, basting with liquid every hour, until the pork shoulder is very tender and falling apart, 4 to 6 hours.
• Remove the pork from the braising liquid and shred into large bite-sized pieces. Skim the fat from the braising liquid, then cook to reduce over medium-high heat to about 1 1/2 cups. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper. Return the pork to the liquid, toss to combine, and keep warm.
• Combine the mayonnaise and honey mustard in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Split the rolls, then spread each with a scant 3 tablespoons of the mayonnaise mixture. Divide the Swiss cheese among the top and bottom rolls. Top the bottom rolls with the pickled red onions, pulled pork and ham. Close the sandwiches.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over low heat. In batches, transfer the rolls to the skillet and place another skillet on top. Cook until the bottom portions of cheese are melted, then flip the sandwiches and continue to cook until heated through and the cheese has melted. Serve.

PORK CUBANO

Steps:

• Combine the pork, chicken stock, onion and bay leaves in a pressure cooker. Cook on medium heat according to pot instructions for 35 minutes. Follow instructions for release and shred pork the pork. Set aside.
• Whisk together the vinegar, sugar, water, chili flakes, garlic and salt in a medium bowl. Add the cucumber, toss to combine and let sit for 15 minutes. Scoop out the pickled cucumbers.
• Build the sandwiches: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spread mustard on both cut sides of a loaf of bread, top each side with a quarter of the pickled cucumbers. Layer a quarter each of the cheese, onion, ham and pork on the bottom of the loaf and sandwich with the top. Build the remaining sandwiches with the remaining ingredients. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until the cheese melts. Serve!

PULLED PORK CUBANO

Steps:

• 1.Stir the mayonnaise, marmalade and oregano together in a small bowl.
• 2.Square off the ends of the bread and cut in half crosswise. Split each piece horizontally to hinge open. (If using Italian rolls, only split horizontally.)
• 3.Spread the flavored mayonnaise on the bottom of the breads. Top each with 3 slices of the ham, folding if necessary to fit on the bread, and then a layer of pickles and 3 slices of cheese. Finish each sandwich with 1/2 cup Pulled Pork. Spread the mustard on the top buns and close the sandwich.
• 4.Heat a medium cast-iron pan over medium heat. Melt the butter, add the sandwiches and press with a spatula to flatten. When the sandwiches are golden brown and crispy on the bottom, about 4 minutes, flip the sandwiches and press and cook until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown, about 3 minutes more. Cut the sandwiches in half and serve.
• Pulled Pork:
• Put the pork, chicken broth, vinegar, garlic, bay leaf and onion in a small Dutch oven and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a very low simmer, cover and cook, turning the pork every 45 minutes, until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender, 3 to 4 hours. Allow to sit for 15 minutes until the meat is cool enough to handle. Shred the meat with a fork. Makes about 8 cups.

CUBANO PORK BURGERS

Steps:

• In a big bowl, mix the ground pork, half the chopped garlic, half the orange zest, cumin, coriander, mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
• Evenly divide meat mixture into 4 portions; form 4 large patties about 1-inch thick.
• Preheat a skillet with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over med-high heat.
• Add patties to hot skillet; cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip and top each patty with three pickle slices, a slice of ham, and a slice of cheese.
• Cook patties for another 5-6 minutes.
• Place a foil tent over the pan for the last 2 minutes or so to ensure the cheese melts and the fixings heat up.
• While the patties are cooking, make the slaw: preheat a large skillet with the remaining vegetable oil.
• Add the remaining garlic and sliced onion to the hot oil; cook for 1 minute.
• Add in the remaining zest, orange juice, red wine vinegar, and honey; continue cooking for 1 minute.
• Turn the heat off and add the coleslaw mixture, red bell pepper, cilantro, parsley, and salt/pepper to taste, tossing to coat in the warm dressing.
• Serve burgers on Portuguese rolls with the sweet orange warm slaw on top of the burger and alongside.

PORK CHOPS CUBANO WITH GARLIC-CITRUS SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Place Panko bread crumbs seasoned with 1 tsp salt, pepper, cumin and mix in 1 TBL cilantro, 1 tsp garlic, the orange peel, onion powder, 1 tsp ground oregano 1 tsp ground cumin and pepper set aside in a shallow dish. eg: 9 X 9 baking dish.
• 2. Place buttermilk into another shallow pan.
• 3. Dip pork loin chops into buttermilk; coat completely with the Panko mixture. Place on the cookie sheet.
• 4. Bake 20-25 minutes or until pork is no longer pink in center. The "new rules" state that pork may now be cooked with a slightly pink center to only 145 degrees F. That is how I cook mine. or use a meat thermometer if you feel more comfortable using that. You just want to have the most succulent, juicy chops. Not too dry!
• 5. Meanwhile in a 1 quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook 1 TBLS garlic in oil about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until golden. Stir in lime and orage juices. Heat to boiling stirrings occasionall. Remove from heat; stir 2 TBLS chopped fresh cilantro. Cover; refrigerate until serving time. Serve with pork loin chops. You can double this recipe if you like.