Cuban Sandwich on a Stick – super easy make ahead appetizer.
We are all about appetizers that you can make ahead and serve chilled. If you are hosting friends or family over and you are making other dishes, it’s nice to offer something to munch on that is easy to make, so you have more time for other things on the menu. These little skewers are a fun take on a classic Cuban sandwich. Serve them chilled with a homemade dijon mustard mayo dipping sauce for lots of flavor.
What you need:
- 8oz. honey ham, pre sliced
- 8oz. block Swiss cheese
- 1 16oz. jar Dill Cocktail Whole Pickles
- 1 small package mini wooden skewers
What you need to make a Dijonaisse Dipping Sauce:
- 1/3 cup dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons honey (optional)
How to make Cuban Sandwich on a Stick:
- Cut the block of Swiss cheese into cubes
- Cut the ham slices into 1 inch strips.
- Trim the ends off the pickles and cut the pickles into thirds or in half (depending on how big you want them to be.
- Make each skewer: start with the pickle, then the ham and finally the cube of swiss cheese. Repeat this order for each skewer. It’s helpful to fold the piece of ham back and forth before pressing the wooden skewer through the center.
- Make the mustard mayo dipping sauce. Mix together all the sauce ingredients.
- Store all in the fridge until ready to serve. Serve cold.
What kind of pickles for a cuban sandwich?
Dill pickles are traditional with a cuban sandwich, but you can use a sweet gherkin style pickle if that is what you prefer.
Make Ahead:
Appetizers that you can serve cold are the best, because you can make them ahead! You can make this a day in advance. Chill in a covered container (so they won’t dry out) in the fridge until ready to serve. When guests arrive pull them out of the fridge and serve chilled.
What is in a Traditional Cuban Sandwich:
This simple appetizer is based on a traditional Cuban Sandwich, which is made of roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese, sliced dill pickles and mustard. Traditionally it is served hot.
Tips and Tricks:
- it’s helpful to use thinly sliced ham. It’s easier to skewer the ham in a back and forth motion when the ham is thinly sliced. The thicker the slice of ham, the harder it is to skewer in this way, but you could just layer it.
- Use cubed ham: If it’s easier, use cubes of ham or stack smaller squares of sliced ham together for a different look, but the same great taste.
- Cut the cheese into cubes at home. It’s easy to buy pre cubed Swiss cheese at the store, but we think the flavor is better and it is more moist when you buy the block of Swiss cheese and cut it into cubes yourself.
What is Dijonaisse?
Dijonaisse is basically another name for a dijon mustard mayo mixture. You can keep it as simple as the two sauces mixed together, or you can add honey, a little onion powder and salt like we have here. It’s delicious on so many things, and we love it served as a dipping sauce for these little skewers.
Variations:
- serve these little skewer appetizers with bread like a full sandwich. If you want to make mini versions of a full cuban sandwich, we really like the pita bread rounds you can buy at the store. Slice them in half, spread the mayo mustard inside of both sides. Layer in the ham, Swiss cheese and sliced pickles.
- Serve these little sandwiches hot. If you want to make the little sandwiches with the pita rounds, and serve them hot, we recommend just toasting them in a hot skillet with melted butter to toast them on both sides like you would a grilled cheese sandwich.
- make it keto friendly: to keep it keto diet friendly, leave out the honey in the dipping sauce and do not add bread.
Cuban Sandwich on a Stick Appetizer
Serve up your favorite Cuban sandwich on a stick...easy chilled appetizer full of flavor.
Ingredients
For the Skewers:
- 1 8oz. package honey ham pre-sliced
- 1 8oz. block Swiss cheese
- 1 16oz. jar Dill Cocktail Whole Pickles
- 1 small package mini wooden skewers
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1/3 cup dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- pinch salt
- 3 tablespoons honey optional
Instructions
-
Cut the block of Swiss cheese into cubes.
-
Cut the ham slices into 1 inch strips.
-
Trim the ends off the pickles and cut the pickles into thirds or in half (depending on how big you want the pickle pieces to be).
-
Make each skewer: start with the pickle, then the ham and finally the cube of Swiss cheese, sliding each one onto the wooden skewer. Repeat this order for each skewer. It’s helpful to fold the piece of ham back and forth before pressing the wooden skewer through the center.
-
Make the mustard mayo dipping sauce. Mix together all the sauce ingredients. Move to a small serving bowl for dipping.
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Store all in the fridge until ready to serve. Serve chilled.
Making This Recipe? Tag us on Instagram: @NoBiggie using the hashtag #NoBiggieRecipes, so we can see what you are making in the kitchen!
More Appetizers on a stick that we love:
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Valissa says
What is the yield of this recipe?
Kami says
Hi Valissa! It really is hard to calculate, there are so many different factors. You will eventually either run out of one of the ingredients, or you will have no more room on your serving platter or you will get tired of making them…which ever comes first! 🙂