Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat}
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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
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?
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!
More Recipes to Try
- Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole – a dinner your whole family will devour!
- Easy Beef Empanadas – easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
- Cheesy Enchilada Pasta Skillet – delivers all your favorite enchilada flavors in one single pot.
When you make this recipe, snap a photo and tag me on social – I love connecting with you and seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat}
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe slightly adapted from Favorite Family Recipes.
Just curious if this could be doubled and then cooked in an instant pot… not sure what the cook times might be though.
I’m sure it could- However, I haven’t tried that before! I don’t have an exact time for you on that!
You can do this in the instapot no problem! Just set it to the slow cook setting for the same amount of time as the RECIPE calls for.
What temp does the pork need to be after step 2?
Hi Eric- I don’t typically check the temperature when using the slow cooker! There isn’t really a need for that with this recipe.
I know Diet coke would alter thE taste a bit but Do you think using coke zero would work?
I think it would! The soda’s can be pretty versatile in this recipe!
My husband and I looove Cafe Rio sweet pork and I’ve been talying about making our own at home for a year now haha. Finally got a crock pot but I only have 1 pound of meat. Should I just halve the cooking time?
Hi! You should still be able to cook it for the same amount of time. Enjoy!
Thanks for the reply! It’s been cooking for 2 hours now. Excited to see the results
Have you ever tried cooking this longer (6-7 hours) on a lower setting? Thanks!
What kind of enchilada sauce do you use? Hot, mild, medium, Green chili kind?
Mild works great!
I love love love cafe rio! Trying out this recipe tonight!
Do you have the nutritional info for this recipe?
Thanks!
Sorry I don’t but I recommend using http://www.myfitnesspal.com – it’s so easy to use!
It is my intent to double this recipe and make 4lbs. If done in the same crockpot should my cooking time be altered?
Hi Scott, doubling the recipe may require some more cooking time but just keep an eye on it, when it falls apart easily with a fork it’s ready!
what is the dressing you have over the top of it, do you have a recipe for it?
Yes! Search tomatillo ranch dressing on my site!