Smoky Citrus Pork Sandwiches

Smoky citrus pulled pork layered with mustard, mayo, Swiss cheese, and pickles on homemade sourdough ciabatta. This is inspired by my love for Cuban sandwiches and they are delicious.

I think cuban sandwiches may be my favorite food. Now, I won’t make any claims that these are authentic cuban sandwiches, but I will make claims that these are delicious. We layered smoky citrus pork onto warm, freshly baked ciabatta, topped it with pickles, swiss cheese, mayo, and mustard….and it was heaven.

What Makes These Cuban Sandwiches So Good

This version is built on citrus smoky pulled pork instead of the traditional ham and roast pork, which gives it a bold, slightly tangy flavor that still feels classic. The pork gets crispy and caramelized under the broiler, then it’s layered with tangy mustard, creamy homemade mayo, melty Swiss cheese, and crunchy pickles.

All of that gets tucked into soft but airy ciabatta with those beautiful bubbles that soak up just enough of the juices without falling apart. It’s really the combination of flavors and textures that makes this sandwich so good.

Main Ingredients and Swaps

• Fresh Lime – A squeeze over the pork right before building the sandwich makes everything pop.
• Citrus Smoky Pulled Pork – The star of the sandwich. Crispy edges are key. If you do not want pork, shredded chicken works too, just season it well.
• Sourdough Ciabatta Rolls – Soft, airy, and sturdy enough to hold everything together. Store bought ciabatta works if you need it to.
• Swiss Cheese – Melts beautifully and balances the smoky pork. Provolone would also be great.
• Yellow Mustard – Classic Cuban flavor. Dijon works if that is what you have.
• Homemade Mayo – The homemade mayo takes this up a level, but use store bought avocado oil mayo if needed!
• Pickles – Essential for that sharp bite. I like classic dill slices.

👇🏻 You can watch the full process, from ciabatta to pork to sandwich assembly below!

Citrus Smoky Pork Sandwiches

5 from 1 vote

Citrus smoky Cuban sandwiches made with homemade sourdough ciabatta, crispy pulled pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8 Sandwiches

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Cuban

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

  

• 1 batch of my same-day ciabatta rolls https://christinesnotebook.com/same-day-sourdough-ciabatta
• 1 batch of my citrus smoky pulled pork https://christinesnotebook.com/citrus-smoky-pulled-pork-slow-cooker-or-oven/
• 8 slices Swiss cheese
• Yellow mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Sliced dill pickles

Method

 

1. Prepare a batch of my Citrus Smoky Pulled Pork using the slow cooker or dutch oven method.
2. Bake a batch of my Same Day Sourdough Ciabatta rolls and allow them to cool slightly before slicing. If you are short on time, store bought is fine here.
3. Slice each ciabatta roll in half. Spread mustard on one side and mayonnaise on the other.
4. Layer Swiss cheese, a generous amount of crispy pulled pork, and sliced pickles onto the rolls.
5. Cut on a bias, serve warm, and enjoy.

Video