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–+ servings

Cuban-Style Smash Sandwiches

Cuban sandwiches are no stranger to a good press. Here, ground beef or pork patties are smashed then topped with all the standard Cuban toppings along with pickled avocado, red onion, and mustard aioli.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Sandwich
Cuisine: American
Calories: 862

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 24-ounce jar dill pickle chips (with brine
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons orange, lime, or lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound 90 percent lean ground beef and/or ground pork
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons vegetable oil, or as needed
  • 4 slices Black Forest ham
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • Golden Aioli see footnote
  • 8 slices Cuban bread or crusty French bread

Method
 

  1. For pickled onion and avocado, combine onion and avocado in a medium bowl. Pour 1 cup brine from pickle jar over top. Chill, covered, until ready to serve.
  2. Stir together zest, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cumin, and pepper in a large bowl. Add ground beef (and/or pork); mix until combined. Working on parchment paper, flatten mixture into a 4x8-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Cut into 4 equal rectangular portions to match size of bread.
  3. Heat a griddle or very large nonstick skillet over high heat. Brush hot surface with oil. Working in batches and adding more oil if needed, add beef portions to griddle. Cook, turning halfway through, until edges are crispy and well browned, about 4 minutes. Top each patty with 2 or 3 pickle chips, 1 ham slice, and 1 cheese slice. Cover with a metal bowl, lid, or foil. Cook about 1 minute more, or until cheese is melted and patties are cooked through (160°F).
  4. Meanwhile, generously spoon Golden Aioli on cut sides of bread. Transfer cooked patties to prepared bread bottoms and top with drained pickled onion and avocado, then add bread tops, aioli side down. Place sandwiches on hot griddle; press with a sturdy spatula to smash slightly. Cook, turning halfway through, until bread is toasted, 3 to 4 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 862kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 57gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 2447mgFiber: 11gSugar: 7g

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