Delicious Homemade Cuban Steak Sandwich Recipe in 30 Mins.
Sink your teeth into a succulent Cuban steak sandwich! Marinated steak, caramelized onions, fries and mayo on deliciously soft bread—a flavor party!
Jump to RecipeGrowing up, I always loved a hearty sandwich to start the day. My dad would make these delicious, loaded sandwiches for us with a variety of meats and cheeses, melted butter, lettuce and tomato. It is one of my favorite childhood weekend memories!
Now I share my love for these sandwiches with my family. One of my favorites is the cuban-style steak sandwich, not to be confused with Cuban sandwiches (another favorite) made with pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and mustard. This pan con bistec sandwich is made with flavor-packed marinated steak, caramelized onions, potato sticks and mayonnaise. It is a match made in heaven. So grab your ingredients and let’s do this!
What Do I Need to Make a Cuban Steak Sandwich?
The ingredients for this Cuban steak sandwich recipe are as follows:
- Top round steaks (whole –see notes)
- Sweet onion
- 1 lime juiced
- Salt
- Pepper
- Coriander
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Garlic cloves
- Olive oil
- Bread loaves
- Mayonnaise
- Potato sticks
- Lettuce (optional)
- Sliced tomato (optional)
As far as equipment goes, you only need:
- Sandwich press (optional)
- Large frying pan or skillet
- Small bowl
- Tongs
How To Make a Cuban Steak Sandwich?
In a bowl, mix the steak with seasonings, minced garlic and lime juice, then set it aside. While the steak marinates, set the frying pan to medium-low heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add sliced onions and cook until soft (about 5-6 minutes). When the onions are cooked, remove them from the pan, add more oil and increase the heat to medium-high heat.
Add the steak and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Then, cut the steak (against the grain) into thin strips. Because top round is lean, you want to cook it whole to retain as much moisture as possible. It will add more tenderness to the meat.
Assemble the sandwich by cutting the loaves into the desired portion size. Add mayonnaise, steak strips, caramelized onions and potato sticks. If you have a sandwich press, press your sandwiches now. Otherwise, brush the outside of the bread with butter, and with a spatula, press it into a skillet for a minute or so per side. Afterward, add sliced tomatoes and lettuce if you feel like it, and serve.
That is how you turn a new recipe into a staple within your lunch menu!
Notes & Substitutions.
Bread: The Cuban steak sandwich recipe traditionally calls for Cuban bread. In its absence, though, you can use Italian bread or any loaf of bread you have available. I like to use Puerto Rican soft bread that I make at home. It is sweet, soft, and easy to make as well.
Seasoning: Feel free to use Adobo seasoning, Sazon Completa or whatever seasoning blend you prefer as long as it goes well with the rest of the ingredients. If you want to add onion powder to enhance the caramelized onions, you may do that, too.
Cheese: This sandwich is not typically made with cheese but feel free to add provolone or Swiss cheese if you want to. Your kitchen, your rules!
Vegetables: It is not usually made with vegetables, but if you like some lettuce and/or tomatoes in your sandwiches, they do fit with this recipe
Lastly, store any leftover steak in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. It can be easily warmed up in the microwave.
I hope you enjoyed this Cuban steak sandwich recipe. One of the best parts of it is that it allows you to elevate your everyday sandwich without adding too much time or difficulty to the cooking process. Also, if you like bistec, check out this yummy and easy Bistec Encebollado Recipe 2 Ways. If you prefer chicken to steak in your sandwiches, this Chicken Bistec recipe will not disappoint.
As always, buen provecho from The Happy Wookiee!
Delicious Homemade Cuban Steak Sandwich Recipe in 30 Mins
Equipment
- Sandwich press optional
- Medium bowl
- large skillet or frying pan
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 lb top round steak whole see notes
- 1 large sweet onion sliced
- 1.5-2 oz lime juice 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tbsp oregano
- ¼ tsp cumin
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- Bread loaves *
- Mayonnaise
- 4 oz potato sticks
- Lettuce optional
- Sliced tomato optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the steak with seasonings, minced garlic and lime juice. Set it aside.
- While the steak marinates, set the frying pan to medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add sliced onions and cook until soft (about 5-6 minutes).
- When the onions are cooked, remove them from the pan and increase the heat to medium-high heat.
- Add more oil, then the steak and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Cut the steak (against the grain) into thin strips.
- Assemble the sandwich by cutting the loaves into the portion you desire. Add mayonnaise, steak strips, caramelized onions and potato sticks.
- Press your sandwich in a panini press if you have one. Otherwise, brush the outside of the bread with butter then press it into a skillet for a minute or so per side.
- If desired, add sliced tomatoes and lettuce and serve.
- ¡Buen provecho from The Happy Wookiee!
