9 Best Cuban Breakfast Ideas

You may not know much about Cuban food, let alone traditional Cuban breakfast foods. If you’ve never been exposed to these types of breakfast recipes, you’re in for a wonderful treat. We’ve rounded up the best Cuban breakfast dishes all in one place for your enjoyment.

These range from some simple egg dishes with a twist, to a traditional Cuban fruit pastry recipe. We’ve also included some breakfast sandwiches that you are sure to find unexpectedly tasty and wonderful.

They are great for meals anytime. There are also a few twists on some traditional American dishes that you may not be expecting. We think you’re going to like them a lot better than the original versions!

Overall, Cuban food is hearty and flavorful. Traditional Cuban breakfast is almost always accompanied by Cafe’ con Leche (coffee with milk).

The stronger and sweeter the better. Even if you’re not a coffee fan, you can still prepare and serve some of these great Cuban breakfast recipes.

Take a look at the best Cuban breakfast recipes. We’re certain that once you try these easy cultural favorites for breakfast, you’ll be serving Cuban breakfasts in regular rotation on your breakfast menus for many years to come. Enjoy!

1. Cuban Breakfast Sandwich

This recipe combines salami, ham, and Swiss cheese along with fried egg and Cuban or French bread for a hearty and rustic sandwich that will give you a great protein boost and flavor experience to start off your day right.

Fry your eggs and toast the bread or use a Panini press or grill to finish off this sandwich perfectly with a hard-cooked egg and melted cheese for a perfect breakfast sandwich experience.

You can substitute other meats and cheese or add sliced dill pickle and mustard for a fabulous breakfast sandwich that you’ll want to make again and again.

2. Quick and Easy Cuban Breakfast Sandwiches

This Cuban breakfast sandwich is one of the easiest and most popular of all the Cuban breakfast recipes, and for good reason.

It’s quick and easy and offers layers of flavor in addition to the traditional meat offerings of ham and Greek pork.

Add greens, mint, and pickled onion along with the traditional Cuban meat, cheese and egg for a breakfast sandwich recipe you will love.

There are almost endless combinations and substitutions for the meats and cheeses. We can guarantee you’ll hit on one that you cannot do without.

3. Easy Cuban-Style Huevos Rancheros

This is the traditional Mexican Huevos Rancheros, but with a Cuban twist.

Make Cuban-style black beans and rice instead, and give your Huevos Rancheros a distinctively Cuban flavor. “Congri” is the traditional beans with onion, peppers and garlic and rice. This adds another Cuban dimension to the dish.

I guarantee your family is going to love this take on Huevos Rancheros.

Substitute Cauliflower rice for a lower carb option, and add some fire-roasted salsa and sliced Avocado for a delicious breakfast or bruch that will delight even the most staunch breakfast purist.

4. The Ultimate Cuban Sandwich

Of all the Cuban sandwiches, this one is the Ultimate.

The trick to this recipe, as well as a lot of traditional Cuban dishes, is to choose a good quality pork shoulder and cook it to perfection.

This can be done in a pressure cooker according to the recipe, or in your Instapot. It’s the seasoned oil and spices that give your meat, and ultimately, your Cuban sandwich, the savory flavor you will continue to crave.

Layer on your ham, cheese and throw on a pickle slice for contrast. Grill or press on a Panini press until the bread is super-crisp, and the cheese is melted. Traditionally served with rice and beans, and fried plantains.

5. Cuban Bread French Toast

French Toast isn’t a Cuban traditional food, but the reason Cuban Bread French Toast made our list is because the recipe starts with Cuban bread.

The trick to making the best French Toast is using day old (stale) bread. Take your Cuban loaf, slice it and let it sit long enough in the egg mixture to soak it up like a sponge.

Fry until golden brown and cooked through on both sides and top with pure maple syrup or honey and powdered sugar. This recipe is sure to please for any breakfast or brunch.

6. Cuban Beans With Eggs

This Cuban breakfast is one of the quickest and easiest to prepare and is sure to please. Use whole black beans simmered with onions, peppers and savory spices until tender.

Serve with fried egg on top and a side of fresh salsa or pico de gallo for a little extra kick.

This dish works with canned beans and you can substitute whole pintos or other beans you may have on hand in your pantry and can be made spicy or mild according to your preference.

7. Cuban Sandwich Recipe

Are you still looking for that perfect Cuban Sandwich recipe? This just might be the one.

This Cuban Sandwich starts with marinated pork tenderloin instead of the traditional pork shoulder cut.

The tenderloin is a smaller cut of meat that cooks more quickly, and is then thiny sliced and layered with your other Cuban sandwich ingredients. Press or grill on Cuban bread and don’t forget to add in your mustard and pickles.

For best results, use deli smoked ham for another layer of flavor. Serve with chips or a salad for the perfect complement to your Cuban sandwich.

8. Cuban Guava Pastries

Indulge your love of baking and your sweet tooth with this recipe for Cuban Guava Pastries.

The easy version of this delightful sweet starts with refrigerated (store bought) puff pastry and guava paste.

It’s super simple to put together and bake up for a special brunch, potluck, or just because it’s Saturday morning.

Get inspired and make it from scratch by mixing up your own puff pastry and preparing guava paste from fresh fruit. Your family or guests are going to devour every crumb of this delicious sweet confection.

9. Santa Fe Breakfast Bowl

This breakfast bowl is a twist on the Cuban beans with egg recipe we included on this list.

The Santa Fe Breakfast Bowl uses whole-grain farro instead of rice and includes freshly-made salsa verde and pico de gallo for a flavor explosion you’re going to love.

Top with fried eggs, queso fresco, and avocado slices for a non-traditional Cuban-inspired breakfast that your family is going to love.

You can substitute whole pintos for the black beans, omit the egg and use non-dairy cheese as a vegan option for this spicy and delicious dish