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This Warm Cuban Sandwich Dip takes the flavors from a Cuban sandwich and puts them in a dip that can be enjoyed as an appetizer. Filled with diced up cornichons, diced up ham, mustard and cheese. Serve this at your next Game Day or fun get together, alongside these Cheladas and Watermelon Margaritas.
If you ever live in South Florida for a bit, you get well acquainted with Cuban food. I am a lover of all things Cuban food. From Picadillo, Ropa Vieja (my all-time favorite) and Pollo Frito, all of it is SO good. As a kid, I also LOVED Cuban sandwiches. Before we begin, let’s run it back to the basics:
The Anatomy of a Cuban Sandwich
Here’s how a Cuban sandwich goes:
- bread with a crispy exterior and super soft interior
- a swipe of mustard
- pickles
- pulled pork
- thinly sliced ham
- and a few slices of melty swiss cheese.
The entire thing cooked a la plancha (think a griddle kinda with a press on top). Eat that with a warm cafe con leche, or cold jupiña. Let’s make this amazing sandwich into a dip!
Ingredients You’ll Need for this Warm Cuban Sandwich Dip
- Diced ham. I went to the deli and asked for thick cut ham. I wanted to be able to cube it up. But if you can only find thinly sliced, that’s ok too! Just slice it up and add it to the mixture.
- Mustards. In anything rich, we need balance. The acidity comes from the Dijon mustard and whole grain mustard.
- Cornichons or pickles. We need a punch of brininess from these.
- Crème Fraîche. This adds a hint of richness. You can use mayo or sour cream if you don’t have it.
- Cream cheese. This adds to the creaminess and makes it more dip-like.
- Gruyére cheese. We want that signature Swiss cheese vibe!
For the rest of the ingredients, please refer to the recipe index card below!
How to Make Warm Cuban Sandwich Dip
- Mix together all of the ingredients, minus the extra cheese intended for the top.
- Add the shredded cheese on top.
- Bake until bubbly and warm.
- Serve with sliced bread.
Recipe Tip
How to Make it Ahead. Combine the ingredients (leaving out the cheese topping). Transfer to the baking dish, cover with plastic wrap or a lid. Stick it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Remove from the fridge, remove plastic wrap, top with more cheese and bake!
Recipe FAQs
Sure, use yellow mustard if it’s the only thing you have. But I think the mustard is crucial.
I these Garlic Chicken Wings, Mojo Sheet Pan Chicken, Hot Honey Lime Wings and Queso Fundido go well with this dip.
More Cozy Appetizers
If you tried this Warm Cuban Sandwich Dip Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Warm Cuban Sandwich Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 8 ounces swiss cheese, shredded (about 2 1/2 cups), divided (some reserved to sprinkle on top)
- 10 cornichons or 3 small pickles, diced (about 1/3 cup)
- 1/2 pound (1/2-inch thick) ham, cubed
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- 1/4 cup crème fraîche, (or mayo or sour cream)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- Cuban bread or soft roll bread, sliced, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Figure out your oven-proof baking vessel. I used a round ceramic bowl that was 6-inches around. In a large bowl (or stand-up mixer with the paddle attachment), add the cream cheese, swiss cheese, cornichons or pickles, diced ham, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, creme fruit and pepper.
- Give it a mix until all of the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Transfer to your oven-proof dish.
- Bake for about 15 to 17 minutes, until warmed throughout and bubbling. It should be nice and evenly brown on top, if not feel free to transfer it to the broiler for about 2 minutes, until nice and browned on top. Serve hot with slices of Cuban bread or soft rolls.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
*This post was originally published on January 16th, 2016. It has been since updated with new information and formatting.
omg. omg. omg.
We had Cubanos for the first time in Richmond, VA, if you can believe that. It was heaven in my mouth!
Can’t wait to make this. So yummy!
xox
A.
Looks fantastic and being warm it should be the perfect comfort dish for these cooler days….. it sounds like the perfect thing to put on the table and enjoy with some friends and a good red wine.
Oh Holy Cuban Sandwich! Being Cuban and living in South Florida, I cannot wait to try this. Making it for Super Bowl Sunday!
Yum!!!! I was wondering what this was on your snapchat. It sounds amazing. 🙂
Yum! This is perfect for SuperBowl Sunday!
Kari
www.sweetteasweetie.com
WOW, that looks amazing! My mouth is watering. I’m making this recipe!
I’m having all kinds of emotions and heart-eyeballs over this!
Ohhhhh holy mackerel. Now this sounds to die for, I cannot wait to get off this diet and stuff my face with some cheese & bacon! Preach.
Bee | QueenBeady.com
This dip is perfection and I can see it being a big hit at Super Bowl parties, game nights. . .well just about any night really…it’s that good.
This looks great, I really need to entertain more so I can make more things like this! do you think Chorizo would work in this if I cooked it off first? Or would it be too overpowering?
Do you mean in place of the ham?
Yep, instead of the ham.