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Unlock the secret to replicating the mouthwatering magic of Cafe Rio’s Sweet Pork with this easy tried-and-true copycat recipe!
Featured With This Recipe
- Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Ingredients
- What Kind of Pork Is Best?
- Ways to Use Sweet Pork
- Slow Cooker Satisfaction
- Try it In the Instant Pot
- Our Copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipes
- 5-Star Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions About Shredded Sweet Pork
- More Cafe Rio Recipes
- How to Make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
- Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Copycat Recipe Recipe
This copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe is one of the most popular recipes on our website. That’s because it tastes so similar to the original. The pork is tender and juicy, with the perfect amount of sweetness. We originally shared this recipe back in 2007, and it has been the most popular Cafe Rio copycat recipe on the internet! Be sure to check out all our other tasty Mexican Recipes! We have all kinds of yummy Mexican dishes to round out your meals and celebrations!
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Ingredients
- Pork (see suggested pork cuts below)
- Coca Cola (Coke) – Don’t use diet soda for this recipe. It won’t taste the same.
- Brown sugar
- Garlic salt
- Water
- Diced green chiles
- Enchilada sauce
What Kind of Pork Is Best?
For this sweet pork recipe, it’s best to use boneless pork ribs, pork shoulder, pork roast, or pork butt. These cuts are well-marbled and tender, which makes them perfect for slow cooking and achieving that deliciously tender and flavorful result.
Ways to Use Sweet Pork
Sweet pork is my favorite meat at Cafe Rio. I love it! When prepared correctly, it practically melts in your mouth. With this recipe, you can now have the amazing taste of Cafe Rio Pork at home – all you need is a few simple ingredients and a crock pot. Once it’s shredded and ready to go, use it as a topping or filling in any of the following ways:
- Sweet Pork Salad
- Burritos
- Enchiladas
- Tacos
- Tostadas
- Quesadillas
Slow Cooker Satisfaction
I love making meals in the crock pot and this is no exception. The pork slow cooks all day, and then at dinnertime, you have an amazing dish to serve to your family. It also makes the house smell SO good! I always make a ton of this sweet pork so I can use it in multiple recipes throughout the week, I also find myself snacking on it straight out of the fridge. It’s that good!
The slow cooker makes this recipe so easy to make. If you are short on time, you can skip the marinating step. It does add more flavor to the meat, but it will still turn out great. The pork cooks for a long time in the slow cooker which makes the meat tender and easy to shred. Because of differences in slow cooker heat, make sure you check it a few times throughout the day to make sure the meat doesn’t overcook.
Try it In the Instant Pot
Short on time? Throw all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Natural release for 20 minutes. If using pork ribs or pork chops, the time can be reduced to 40 minutes. For larger pork roasts you may need to add more time. The pork should shred easily after cooking. If the pork is still tough, place back in the Instant Pot for another 10-20 minutes depending how much more time you think it needs. After shredding, put the Instant Pot on the “sauté” setting and cook until the sauce thickens to your preference.
Our Copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipes
Use this cafe rio pork recipe to re-create any of these cravable Cafe Rio menu items:
5-Star Reviews
We have received many rave reviews on this sweet pork recipe. This pork is the real deal! We are thrilled that so many of you have enjoyed this recipe as much as we have.
“So I moved to Texas a little over a year ago and to my despair there isn’t a Cafe Rio for 500 miles. I love the pork Barbacoa burrito and have not been able to recreate it or find some thing close to it here in Texas until this recipe thank you for posting this. Every time I eat it, it’s like a warm homey feeling comes over me.” – Kamie
“I had my doubts because the ingredients seem so random, but we love this recipe and have done it with and without marinade several times. A++ both ways.” – Jessica
“THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY SPOT. ON. tastes amazing leftover too!!!!!” – Jared
“We love, love, love this recipe! We have made it for several years now and it surely is a treat! I love your blog and haven’t ever been disappointed! I make LOTS when I make it and freeze it…tastes just as good when thawed! Also the dressings freeze well too! Thanks for your time and talent!”– Misti
Frequently Asked Questions About Shredded Sweet Pork
This recipe for Cafe Rio sweet pork has 16g of protein per serving.
Yes, pork loin can be used instead of pork shoulder for pulled or shredded pork.
You cook the pork low and slow with sugar, soda, and a few seasonings. See the recipe below for full instructions.
Read More: 33+ Easy Dinner Ideas
More Cafe Rio Recipes
A few more Cafe Rio / Costa Vida Recipes
- Salsa Fresca (Pico de Gallo)
- Cafe Rio’s Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette
- Homemade Flour Tortillas
- Homemade Tortilla Strips
- The BEST Guacamole EVER
- Our Version of Cafe Rio’s Cilantro-Lime Rice and Black Beans
- Cafe Rio’s Cilantro Ranch Dressing
How to Make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Copycat Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Sweet Pork
- 2 pounds pork (boneless pork ribs work best)
- 3 (12-ounce) cans Coca-Cola (not diet)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- dash garlic salt
- ¼ cup water
- 1 can diced green chilies
- 1 (10-ounce) red enchilada sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
Sauce
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
- 7 ounce salsa verde
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Burrito
- 1 large flour tortilla
- ½ cup cilantro lime rice
- ½ cup black beans
- ¾ cup sweet pork
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- lettuce, for serving
- pico de gallo, for serving
- guacamole, for serving
Instructions
- Put the pork in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag to marinate. Add about a can and a half of Coke and ¼ cup of brown sugar. Marinate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Drain the marinade and put pork, ½ can of Coke, water, and garlic salt in a slow cooker on high for about 3-4 hours or on low for 8 hours. (You want the meat to shred easily, but not be too dry.)
- Remove pork from the slow cooker and discard any liquid left in the pot. Shred pork.
- In a food processor or blender, blend ½ a can of Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce, and 1 cup brown sugar. If the mixture looks too thick, add more Coke little by little. Put shredded pork and sauce in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours.
Sauce
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes.
- Heat oven to 450 degrees F.Layer rice, beans, pork, and ¼cup cheese on top of the tortilla. Roll it up into a burrito. Pour about ½ cup of green enchilada sauce over the burrito and top with the remaining ¼ cup of cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
- Serve with lettuce, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
Notes
- Instant Pot Instructions: Throw all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 60 minutes. Natural release for 20 minutes. If using pork ribs or pork chops, the time can be reduced to 40 minutes. For larger pork roasts you may need to add more time. The pork should shred easily after cooking. If the pork is still tough, place it back in the Instant Pot for another 10-20 minutes depending on how much more time you think it needs. After shredding, put the Instant Pot on the “sauté” setting and cook until the sauce thickens to your preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
- Leftovers can also be frozen in freezer Ziplock bags for up to 5 months.
I just found your blog and I love it already. I am making the cafe rio pork right now and I am also going to make the dressing and rice!
I just found your blog and I love it already. I am making the cafe rio pork right now. I am so excited. I'm going to make the dressing and rice now too!
@ Stefanie– I have never used Coke Zero with it.. if you try it let me know how it turns out!
Could you use Coke Zero instead of regular Coke?
I've had this recipe bookmarked for a while, but haven't ever gotten around to making it, until today. I looked for caffeine free coke, but the store was out. I tried root beer instead, and yeah, it didn't work so well. It tasted fine, but the meat definitely had a root beer taste! So just a warning for anyone else out there, don't use root beer!
Ya know, I have only had the pinto beans once. I wonder if you added cilantro and green chilies to the beans that maybe they would taste similar? And if you are making them from scratch, use chicken broth?
So I moved away about 8 months ago to sc and there is a missionary in my ward. Every Sunday we talk about how good Cafe Rio "was". I told him we could escape and drive 11 hours up to DC and come right back after eating at the new Cafe Rio in MD. However, I don't think that will work. So, I found this on line and was wondering if you ever figured out the Pinto Bean recipie? I like black beans but they don't like me and so I had converted to the Pintos the last couple of years. Let me know and thanks for the post!!
@ San— hahaha oops! You are totally right. It is DICED green chilies.
Hi Erica, love your recipes… I haven't ever seen sliced green chilies so is it actually a can of diced green chilies that you use? I did find a can of whole green chilies that I can slice if need be. Just want it to be perfect. Thanks!
@ Nate– I have never tried it with green. I don't know how it would affect it. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!
Erica, would it matter much if I used Green Enchilada sauce instead of red?
I recently made this! So good! Check out my blog to see the changes I made!
http://lindstewfoodies.blogspot.com/2010/05/shredded-sweet-pork.html
You probably want to double the recipe. Last time we made it, it fed 6 comfortably. I am sure by doubling it, you will be able to feed 12 easily.
I was wondering how many salads you usually get out of this recipe. I'm making dinner for 12 and am wondering if I need to double it or how much I need to make! Thank You!
Hillary-
I usually do make the ranch and rice the day before. I make the beans the same day just because I don't like them mushy.
I was wondering if I could make the pork, beans, and dressing a few days before I need them and they will store okay and still taste good?
light sugar (if you like a richer flavor use dark though)
and RED enchilada sauce.
Hope you like it!!
Erica
I just found this recipe and am excited to try it! I do have a few questions, though, if you don't mind.
Do you use light or dark brown sugar?
Do you use red or green enchilada sauce?
Thanks for posting your hard work for us to enjoy! 🙂
Hey Holler Hinckleys:
I think in the burrito, they put the lime rice and beans and they top it with your choice of sauce when they do it enchilada style. You either want to make your own tortilla shells or try to find the biggest ones you can at your local store. Good luck! Let me know how they turn out!
I'm so excited to make this Sweet Pork! I am actually wanting to make the Sweet Pork Burrito… Any suggestions??? It has been a long time since I've had Cafe Rio, so I'm not sure what all goes in or on them. I hope you can help… Thanks!