Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat}

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Total Time 3 hours 40 minutes

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Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat} – Sweet shredded pork made in the slow cooker, inspired by the popular Cafe Rio restaurant!

Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa, Sweet Pork Enchilada Stacks (aka Enchilada Casserole – Cafe Rio Style), and Sweet Pork Enchiladas

{copycat} Cafe Rio sweet pork on rice in a bowl with the title of the recipe written on the top left corner of the image.

If you haven’t eaten at Cafe Rio, you haven’t lived. That is my honest opinion. It is also my personal opinion that Costa Vida is not a suitable substitute, even in a pinch. It’s really not even in the same ball park here, so let’s just stick with the creators of the true sweet pork. Cafe Rio.

I feel a hostile debate coming on from all of the Costa advocates. Let’s keep it nice and friendly shall we?

{copycat} Cafe Rio sweet pork on rice in a bowl with enchilada sauce on top.

The great thing about this recipe, well… besides the fact that it is DELICIOUS and incredibly easy because it involves a slow cooker (my best friend), is that it’s so versatile. I mean, we all love the famous tostadas and salads from Cafe Rio but it doesn’t have to end there. Make a big batch of this pork and use it all week long in quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos, on sandwiches and in wraps, the possibilities are endless!

{copycat} Cafe Rio sweet pork on rice in a white bowl.

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Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {copycat}
4.85 from 13 votes

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat}

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat} – Sweet shredded pork made in the slow cooker, inspired by the popular Cafe Rio restaurant!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 3 hours 20 minutes
Marinade Time: 1 hour
Total: 3 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
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Ingredients 

Step 1

  • 2 pounds pork , (rib meat or loin)
  • ¾ cup coke
  • ¼ cup brown sugar

Step 2

  • 1 cup coke
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ¼ teaspoon onion salt
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder

Step 3

  • ¾ cup coke
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 4 ounce can diced green chiles
  • 10 ounces mild red enchilada sauce

Instructions 

  • Step 1: Place pork in a zip lock bag. Add coke and brown sugar and seal bag. Chill at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Step 2: Add pork to slow cooker and discard marinade. Add coke, water, garlic salt, onion salt, and chili powder. Cover and cook on high 3 hours. Drain slow cooker and shred pork with two forks.
  • Step 3: Blend coke, brown sugar, chili powder, green chills, and enchilada sauce together in blender. Pour sauce into slow cooker. Cook 30 minutes longer. Serve with rice if desired.

Notes

Serving suggestions: over rice, in enchiladas, tacos, on a sandwich or in a wrap, in a salad, and anything else you can imagine!

Nutrition

Calories: 593kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 803mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 375IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a star rating or comment below!

Recipe slightly adapted from Favorite Family Recipes.

Tiffany of Creme de la Crumb in the kitchen

Welcome!

Hey there, I’m Tiffany – chef, photographer, mother, and avid taco eater. I am passionate about turning simple flavors and ingredients into tasty meals the whole family will love, with minimal prep and cleanup so there’s more time to spend eating and enjoying. Stay awhile, and help yourself to a taco or two!

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4.85 from 13 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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46 Comments

  1. Eve says:

    Haven’t made this yet, but sounds amazing. Could I use a pork loin instead?

  2. Jayne says:

    How long would you cook it for if you were to double the recipe? Thanks!

  3. cfe mexicali telefono says:

    5 stars
    Eres un figura. Gracias, Un saludo

  4. Kathryn says:

    5 stars
    I’ve tried a number of Copy Cat Cafe Rio sweet Pork recipes and this is by far the best.

    1. Tiffany says:

      Best compliment ever! Thanks, Kathryn!

  5. Chris Sims says:

    3 stars
    S0unds Delish! However, why would you drain off the cooking liquid? aren’t you losing good pork flavor and collagen this way?

    1. Tiffany says:

      Just a personal preference for this recipe 🙂