The perfect sandwich isn't hard to find; you just need to know what you want. If it's meat you're looking for, you probably need a meatball sub. If you want a balanced lunch sandwich, you should probably go the chicken salad sandwich route. But if you want a hearty, protein-rich option to be the highlight of your day, you're looking for a tripleta. The Puerto Rican meat sandwich is simplistic in design but can easily be prepared for a large batch of people.
Also Read: 5 Easy And Filling Sandwiches For Lunch
If you love the Cubano, but think it's a tad too unfulfilling, a tripleta will solve all your problems, The tripleta is a layered sandwich roll featuring three different kinds of meat; it typically features slow-cooked pork shoulder (or pernil, a classic Latin staple seasoned with sofrito, adobo, oregano, and Caribbean sazón), cube steak, and cold-cut ham, along with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, crunchy potato sticks, and a South American mayo-ketchup seasoning.
The tripleta is often compared with a classic Cuban sandwich since they're both served as street foods in Puerto Rico and are similar in format. However, the tripleta is a game-changer if you want to consume most of your animal proteins during the day, as many people do or measure your protein intake after your workout.
The tripleta can accommodate substitutions if you want to switch one kind of meat for a different, leaner one or want to include more veggies. Moreover, tripletas are usually big enough for two people; in Puerto Rico, it's usually served as a shareable lunch. But the tripleta's biggest USP lies in its simple design; it's so versatile that it can be made at home and travels well throughout the day. It has the elegance of a bistro brunch with the utility of a filling deli counter sandwich and can keep you full for hours.
But despite its humble design, tripleta is easy to switch up with a few key moderations. Firstly, the cheese. Instead of a basic white cheese, you can try using an aged gouda, muenster, or even a special Swiss variant. Then there's the bread; although typically served in a street-style hoagie roll, it can be served with panini-style Cuban bread or soft sourdough.
It may not be as hearty as an Italian Michetta or a Vietnamese Banh Mi, but tripleta is definitely the breakfast (or even lunch) of champions, mainly because of the diverse variety of meats used. Very few sandwiches bring together steak and hamp alongside an ethnic preparation of a pork shoulder. The best way to eat tripleta for lunch is to prioritise the veggies since they complement the meat. You can stick with the potato sticks and lettuce or go for a spiced veggie mix.
Tik Tok found the Puerto Rican breakfast sandwich a few weeks ago and quickly put its own spin on it, with popular additions, be it melted cheese, fried egg, bacon and even sun-dried tomatoes. Interestingly, in diners or restaurants around the world tripletas are prepared just like they're prepared in food trucks across South America. With fresh lettuce, shredded cabbage, onions, tomatoes, and fried potato strings.