The Complete Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad Recipe, right at your fingertips! So easy to make at home, and tastes exactly like the popular restaurant version.
The Complete Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad Recipe
You asked, we answered. Thank you to all you die hard Cafe Rio or Costa Vida fans for making us the number one site for Cafe Rio copycat recipes! If you haven’t tried this easy recipe for the famous Sweet Pork Salad yet, you are in for a treat! We LOVE Cafe Rio and Costa Vida. And we’re very picky about our Cafe Rio sweet pork. This recipe tastes exactly like the restaurant version, but so easy because you can make it right at home! We also played around with the rice, the beans, and the house ranch dressing. Finally, we nailed it! This recipe tastes exactly like having Cafe Rio take-out. Try it for yourself and you will see what we mean!
Tips for the Complete Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad
- You can find the 9″ round disposable foil pans for your salads HERE (just like what Cafe Rio uses)
- Don’t get scared off by all the ingredients; it’s actually easier than it looks to put this salad together. Start out with our version of Cafe Rio’s Sweet Pork and cook it in the crock pot. Right there, half your work is done!
- We have included our homemade recipes from the tortilla to the crispy tortilla strips, however, you can use store-bought for any of these ingredients if you want to make it easier!
- The rice and beans are SUPER simple too. You definitely want the beans and rice to get the whole experience!
- Also, be generous with the cilantro! Cilantro is fresh, vibrant, and so flavorful in this recipe. Try it and let me know what you think! I KNOW you won’t be disappointed. Follow the recipe instructions in the recipe card below, then assemble the salad as directed.
- This recipe is for one (1) salad but can easily be multiplied by however many you need.
More Cafe Rio Recipes
- Our Version of Cafe Rio’s Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Salsa Fresca (Pico de Gallo)
- Our Version of Cafe Rio’s Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette
- Our Version of Cafe Rio’s Sweet Pork Burrito
- Homemade Flour Tortillas
- Homemade Tortilla Strips
- The BEST Guacamole EVER
How to make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large Flour tortilla <<Click here
- 1/3 cup shredded cheese Mexican blend
- 2/3 cup Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice & Black Beans <<Click here (1/3 c. of each)
- 1/2 cup Cafe Rio Sweet Pork <<Click here
- 2 cups Lettuce NOT iceberg, use leafy green or Romaine
- 1/4 cup Pico de Gallo <<Click here
- 1/4 cup Guacamole <<Click here
- 2 tablespoons Sour cream
- 1/4 cup Tortilla Strips <<Click here
- 1 tablespoon Cotija cheese crumbled (or you can use Parmesan)
- 1/4 cup Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch <<Click here
- OR Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette <<Click here
Instructions
- Lay a tortilla in the bottom of an aluminum tin, a bowl, or plate. Sprinkle cheese on it, and put in the oven at 375 for about 5 min or until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven, add beans, rice, pork, then lettuce and a little scoop of diced tomato and onions (pico de gallo). Add guacamole (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) and sour cream.
- Add crushed tortilla chips, a shake of Parmesan cheese (or Cotija cheese if you want to be more authentic), and top with a few cilantro leaves.
- Serve with the cilantro ranch or vinaigrette dressing and there you have it!
Nutrition
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Anna says
I LOVE this recipe!! I have made it several times and it is a huge hit, thank you so much!! It is delicious, I highly recommend it!
You have made it so easy to complete the whole Cafe Rio Sweet Pulled Pork Salads, thank you thank you!
Brooke says
I live in Alabama after being raised in Utah. I’ve made this twice for my boyfriend and his brother. They love it and if reminds me of home. Great copy cat recipe.
Nicole says
I am looking for the pork recipe. It says click here, but the link is not active.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thank you for letting us know! Here is the link: https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/cafe-rio-sweet-pork/
Melissa says
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve made this recipe a bunch now and love it EVERY time! I’m always sad when it’s gone. Guests love it, my family loves it, it’s a crowd fave. It admittedly takes me all day to prepare with all the parts to fix with fresh ingredients, but it’s worth it. Thank you for sharing!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thanks so much! Glad you love this recipe as much as we do 😀