This copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe makes it easy for you to have your favorite take-out at home with the help of your slow cooker.
Consider this a love letter to Cafe Rio Sweet Pork! If your tastebuds are longing for something extraordinary, my copycat recipe for Cafe Rio Sweet Pork might just be what they need.
It is tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork bathed in a sauce that’s both sweet and savory. It’s a symphony of flavors that can turn an ordinary meal into a special event.
This tantalizing blend of chili, cumin, garlic, and onion spices fuse with the pork, simmering to perfection, leaving you with a dish that looks amazing and tastes divine!
If you can’t tell yet, I absolutely love this pork and I am so excited to share it with you!
Whether you’re a long-time Cafe Rio fan from Salt Lake City or a curious foodie on the East Coast, this copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork recipe is sure to become a family favorite. It’s got straightforward ingredients and simple preparation steps.
It’s also a delightful way to bring a bit of restaurant magic right into your own kitchen. Get ready for amazing aromas and flavors. You’re going to love it!
Common Questions About Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
Can I substitute Coca-Cola?
Absolutely. If Coca-Cola isn’t readily available, Dr. Pepper or any other sweet cola will work just as well.
What cut of pork should I use?
A boneless pork shoulder or pork butt roast is ideal for this recipe. These cuts are typically used for slow cooking or BBQ and they shred easily once cooked.
Can I use an Instant Pot instead of a crock pot?
Yes, the cooking process can be accelerated with an Instant Pot on high pressure. However, using a slow cooker allows for the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat, making it even more flavorful.
Storage
I love this pork on just about anything taco-like haha! It’s a great addition to southwest meals or nachos. Your entire family will love this stuff!
Refrigerator
Store any leftover sweet pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before placing it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Tips
As the pork cooks in the slow cooker, your house will be filled with an aroma that only sweet pulled pork can give. If it’s your first time making this, get ready for a mouth-watering experience!
- For a more intense flavor, let the pork marinate in the sauce overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
- Make sure to shred the pork while it’s still warm for easier handling.
- The longer you simmer the sauce with the pork, the deeper the flavor will be.
- To get that real deal, restaurant-quality consistency, cook the sauce down either in the slow cooker or oven until it thickens nicely.
Ingredients
These simple ingredients are the real thing, guys. Get ready for the sweet flavor of homemade pulled pork!
- Boneless pork shoulder or butt roast
- Salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and black pepper
- Coca Cola
- Red enchilada sauce
- Green chiles
- Brown sugar
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
The slow cooker does an amazing job with this pork. I can’t tell you enough how much I love the aroma that comes from this recipe. It makes it tough not to keep tasting it the whole way through!
- Slow cooker
- Small bowl
- Food processor or blender
- Large-rimmed baking pan (optional)
- Meat thermometer
How to Make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
You’re going to love this yummy recipe. My family asks for it constantly. It will turn a regular taco dish into a absolutely delicious meal every time.
- Combine the salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir.
- Rub the pork with seasonings and place it in the slow cooker.
- Add 1 cup coca cola and 1 cup of enchilada sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until internal temperature reaches 200-203 degrees F.
- Remove from the slow cooker and shred the pork, then return it to the crock.
- In a food processor or blender, combine the remaining coca cola, 1 cup of enchilada sauce, green chiles, and brown sugar until well combined.
- Mix the sauce into the shredded pork.
- Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 hours in the slow cooker, or alternatively, add the pork with the sauce to a large-rimmed baking pan and cook in the oven at 350 degrees F for 60-90 minutes. Cooking in the oven will reduce the sauce.
- Serve the pork on tortillas or salad with your favorite toppings.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
What to Serve With Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
This flavorful pork pairs well with cilantro lime rice, refried beans or black beans, and a dollop of sour cream. It’s perfect tucked into fresh flour tortillas or piled high on a bed of romaine lettuce for a scrumptious salad.
Don’t forget the pico de gallo and a sprinkle of cotija cheese!
Why You Should Make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
This is truly the perfect way to enjoy pork. While the meat cooks in the pot, you can get all the other fixins ready and make a wonderful meal.
- It’s a versatile dish: Great in tacos, burritos, salads, or even a rice bowl.
- The recipe is easily adaptable to different dietary preferences.
- It’s a great make-ahead dish that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining.
- It’s a crowd-pleaser, sure to satisfy both adults and children alike.
Variations and Add-Ins for Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
If you really want to dive into Cafe Rio, look up how to make their cilantro lime dressing. It goes so perfectly with this meat. Whatever you do, make sure to try out different ideas. I always say that one of the best parts of cooking is trying new things!
- Swap the Coca-Cola for Dr. Pepper for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Add in some heat with chopped jalapenos or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Try using a smoky BBQ sauce in place of the enchilada sauce for a BBQ twist.
- Experiment with different types of sugar like maple syrup or honey for a unique sweetness.
If you love this easy copycat recipe, you’re going to love these other copycat recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Pork Recipes
Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
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Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt roast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces coca cola
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce
Sauce
- 8 ounces coca-cola
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce
- 4 oz green chiles drained
- ½ cup brown sugar
Serving Options
Tortillas
Toppings of your choice
Salad
Rice
Instructions
- Combine the salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir.
- Rub the pork with seasonings and place it in the slow cooker.
- Add 1 cup coca cola and 1 cup of enchilada sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until internal temperature reaches 200-203 degrees F.
- Remove from the slow cooker and shred the pork, then return it to the crock.
- In a food processor or blender, combine the remaining coca cola, 1 cup of enchilada sauce, green chiles, and brown sugar until well combined.
- Mix the sauce into the shredded pork.
- Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 hours in the slow cooker, or alternatively, add the pork with the sauce to a large-rimmed baking pan and cook in the oven at 350 degrees F for 60-90 minutes. Cooking in the oven will reduce the sauce.
- Serve the pork on tortillas or salad with your favorite toppings.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Equipment
- slow cooker
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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