Name: What To Serve With Cuban Sandwiches
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 portion Cuban sandwiches

Table of Contents

If you’re wondering what to serve with your Cuban sandwiches, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 15 of the most popular side dishes for Cuban sandwiches.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with Cuban sandwiches are plantain chips, Cuban black beans, jalapeno pickles, yuca fries, and macaroni salad. Try a tropical fruit salad, coleslaw, or a farmer’s market salad for a more refreshing side. Serve tomato bisque if you want a dipping partner!

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Cuban black beans

Forget soaking.

Turn your cans of plain black beans into quick Cuban style black beans.

They’re packed with delicious and bold flavors, including jalapenos, paprika, and cilantro.

Serve this side dish with your Cuban sandwiches for a fast, easy dinner.

Psst… save the crusts for mopping up the leftover sauce!

Plantain chips

Turn your Cuban sandwiches into the ultimate comfort meal by adding some crunch with plantain chips.

Plantain chips are a healthy alternative to potato chips, but don’t worry – they’re equally tasty (these ones are flavored with some garlic powder).

You can easily get your hands on store-bought plantain chips, but homemade is always better.

Follow this recipe to make plantain chips at home – they’ll be ready in 20 minutes.

Onion rings

Take your Cuban sandwich up a notch by making some onion rings to go with it.

They may not be the healthiest side, but everyone needs to indulge sometimes.

Serve these onion rings with a side of your favorite dipping sauce.

Ketchup is a classic, but you can whip up a quick aioli if you want to be fancy.

Make this side dish with Liv Gluten Free’s recipe for gluten-free and dairy-free onion rings (and yes, I’ve made them and you can’t distinguish them from normal ones!).

Tomato bisque

Grilled cheese and tomato soup is a classic combination.

So why not try a Cuban sandwich with tomato bisque.

Tomato bisque is a slightly richer version of tomato soup – so it will stand up better to the strong flavors in a Cuban sandwich.

Dip your sandwiches in the soup and let them soak up every drop of flavor.

For a classic, perfected tomato bisque recipe, visit 40 Aprons.

Pesto potato salad

Ease your way into a cozy Sunday with potato salad and a sandwich for lunch.

The pesto adds a whole new flavor layer to a traditional potato salad.

It is tangy, nutty, herbaceous, creamy, wholesome, and oh-so-yummy.

I also like the pop of green color it adds to the plate. If it’s green it’s healthy, right?

Pesto potato salad with Cuban sandwiches? I couldn’t agree more.

Yuca fries

Potato fries would be a perfectly acceptable side for Cuban sandwiches, but if you want to make things more interesting you should try these yuca fries.

Yuca fries, made from raw cassava, have a creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavor which works well with the cheese in the sandwiches.

Make a double batch of these yuca fries – they’ll be gone quickly!

Farmers market salad

Nothing is as refreshing as a plate of fresh vegetables and greens drizzled with a tangy-sweet dressing.

It’s the epitome of summer and will keep your Cuban sandwich dinner light.

The name farmers market salad, refers to how to make the salad. Take a trip to your local farmers market and pick whatever takes your fancy.

Then throw it all together in a bowl when you get home – how fun is that!

Pickled jalapeños

Jazz up your Cuban sandwich with a side of these pickled jalapeños.

If you’re not a fan of spicy food, don’t worry. These jalapenos will have some heat, but the pickling process brings out their sweeter side too.

Serve them on the side or place the pickles in your sandwich. It’s up to you.

Either way, you’re guaranteed an elevated flavor experience with these 10-minute pickled jalapeños.

Empanadas

Empanadas are super tasty Argentinian snack that are perfect for serving alongside Cuban sandwich sliders at a party.

They’re like mini pies that are filled with ground beef and lots of sliced green chiles.

Serve both the snacks alongside a tasty tomato dipping sauce and you’ve got an addictive spread.

Macaroni salad

If you haven’t had the chance to give this macaroni salad a taste, you’re missing out.

It’s the ideal hearty accompaniment to your Cuban sandwich.

The flavorful taste of the macaroni pasta mixed with carrots, onions, dill pickles, and a creamy mayo dressing is sure to have everyone smiling.

Settle your macaroni salad in the fridge for a few hours. Trust me. All the flavors will mingle and it will taste even better.

Fried pickles

Love pickles?

Why not double up on pickles and give some of them a fried twist?

Fried pickles are a fun way to add some texture to your dinner.

But I do have to warn you – they’re super addictive. Once you start eating them, it’s hard to stop.

Serve these fried pickles with some garlic dipping sauce for the ultimate combination.

No mayo coleslaw

This no mayo coleslaw will soon be a staple at your picnics, barbecues, and summer parties.

You get the same creamy, tangy coleslaw without the guilt of consuming a lot of mayonnaise.

The secret? Non-fat Greek yogurt.

Plate this alongside your Cuban sandwich for an easy meal.

This healthy no mayo coleslaw is quick to make.

You can even skip the prep work and use coleslaw mix – I go for the ones with purple cabbage for the pretty pops of color.

Tropical fruit salad

This might seem like a strange combination, but fruit actually pairs really well with Cuban sandwiches.

It’s like having an apple with your lunch, but much more fancy.

The vibrant colors tempt you into having a mouthful right away, and a splash of lime in the dressing makes sure the salad isn’t too sweet.

Take your taste buds on a summer adventure with this tropical fruit salad.

Roasted sweet potatoes

You can never go wrong with sweet potatoes as a side dish.

Whether you fry, bake, or mash them they’ll bring a caramelized flavor and a touch of sweetness that compliments the savory flavors of the Cuban sandwich.

You could even combine this side with the pesto potato salad I mentioned earlier.

Ready to cook?

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this straightforward roasted sweet potatoes recipe.

Cuban flan

Ever heard of the Cuban flan?

If you’re craving a dessert after your Cuban sandwich, this is the only thing worth serving.

It’s a thick, vanilla custard drowning in a caramel sauce.

Sweet, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth. It’s the perfect way to finish off your meal.

Follow this Cuban flan recipe. You’ll regret not trying it sooner!

The best side dishes for Cuban sandwiches

Cuban black beans
Plantain chips
Onion rings
Tomato bisque
Pesto potato salad
Yuca fries
Farmers market salad
Pickled jalapeños
Empanadas
Macaroni salad
Fried pickles
No mayo coleslaw
Tropical fruit salad
Roasted sweet potatoes
Cuban flan