Pull Apart Cubano Sliders
I love a good Cubano. I've found it a challenge to find a proper Cubano bun here in Toronto, so when I'm down in Florida, I make sure to make a classic Cubano on a proper roll. Last year, I decided to make these fun smoked pork loin Cubano sliders instead though, they're the perfect lil handheld bite. The trick to these, is to use good brioche slider buns that are all connected together in the bag, and then to keep them connected as you build your Cubanos. I used the softest little Hawaiin rolls from Kings Hawaiian, but you can use whatever brand of brioche slider buns you like, as long as they come attached.
Instead of the traditional roast pork found in a Cubano, this recipe makes a juicy, tasty smoked pork that I rubbed with cumin, coriander, garlic and orange juice, smoked in the Alchemy 24 and then sliced thin. The delicious smoked pork is added to the slider buns along with sliced ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, grilled onions and yellow mustard, then lightly pressed on the flattop for ideal bun texture. Sliced or pulled apart, these sliders are perfect for sharing and entertaining, whether a regular Sunday night football game, the Super Bowl or a backyard get together, these will be a crowd pleaser - and so fun! If you want to know how to make these Pull Apart Cubano Sliders keep reading, or jump to the full recipe.
Set smoker to 300F. In a bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, coriander, paprika and orange juice.
Cover the pork loin fully in the wet rub.
Place directly onto the smoker shelf and place in the smoker for 45 minutes.
Thinly slice the onion and place on the plancha with oil to grill. Cook, mixing occasionally, until nicely charred.
Keeping the slider buns attached, cut them open in half. Place four slices of Swiss cheese on the inside of the top and bottom buns. Place the slices of ham on top of the cheese on the bottom buns
Remove the smoked pork from the smoker and thinly slice.
Place the slider buns in the smoker and let the cheese melt slightly. Then, layer on the sliced smoked pork onto the slider buns with just cheese still. Let cook a few minutes for cheese to melt.
Remove the sliders from the smoker and place on the plancha, top the sliced pork with the grilled onions then remove everything from the grill and transfer to your work surface.
Top the bottom slider buns with the ham and cheese with the pickle slices and drizzle on the yellow mustard.
Close the slider buns to put together the Cubanos. Pull apart or cut apart and enjoy.
And now for the full recipe...
Pull Apart Cubano Sliders
Makes 12 sliders
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:
3-4lbs boneless pork loin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp coriander
½ tsp paprika
½ cup orange juice
1 yellow onion
12 brioche slider buns (keep attached)
8 slices Swiss cheese
6-8 slices ham
15-20 pickle slices
Yellow mustard
How to Make Pull Apart Cubano Sliders
Set smoker to 300F.
In a bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, coriander, paprika and orange juice. Cover the pork loin fully in the wet rub. Place directly onto the smoker shelf and place in the smoker for 45 minutes.
Thinly slice the onion and place on the plancha with oil to grill. Cook, mixing occasionally, until nicely charred.
Keeping the slider buns attached, cut them open in half. Place four slices of Swiss cheese on the inside of the top and bottom buns. Place the slices of ham on top of the cheese on the bottom buns. Remove the smoked pork from the smoker and thinly slice. Place the slider buns in the smoker and let the cheese melt slightly. Then, layer on the sliced smoked pork onto the slider buns with just cheese still. Let cook a few minutes for cheese to melt. Remove the sliders from the smoker and place on the plancha, top the sliced pork with the grilled onions then remove everything from the grill and transfer to your work surface.
Top the bottom slider buns with the ham and cheese with the pickle slices and drizzle on the yellow mustard. Close the slider buns to put together the Cubanos. Pull apart or cut apart and enjoy.
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