In a food processor or blender, blend can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste). Si. I have a 7lb pork butt and I dont want to chance it in my instant pot. Then the recipe says 45 to cook and 45 NPR. My family said it tasted just like cafe rio. When we go to Cafe Rio, I pretty much always get the salad to split (this is quite rare as the hubs DOES NOT split anything. . We absolutely LOVE Caf Rio. If you want a true copycat of Cafe Rio sweet pork, you have to use a bone in pork shoulder/butt with a nice fat pad on top. xo Hi Kathy! When cool enough, pull any remaining visible fat off of meat and set aside. Si. There are many different cuts of pork sold in the grocery store and at big box stores, such as Costco. xo, Its a keeper. This easy Pulled Pork recipe is made with pork shoulder (Boston pork butt), pantry spices and Cherry, Coke to tenderize the meat and then cooked in the oven, slow cooker or instant pot., Serve the spoon tender BBQ Pulled Pork in sandwiches, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, on pizza etc. Thanks Madison! Thank you!! Hi Elise, you could try cooking it for 45 minutes if you only have 3 lbs of meat. Fresh cooked tortillas Let marinate for 3 hours or overnight. Oh my gosh, cant thank you enough for perfecting this recipe for the instant pot. Thanks for reading ABK, Let me know how this recipe turned out for you. I did try the recipe as is and loved it! Cuts of pork are not created equal! cafe rio dressing, copycat recipe, sweet pork, natural pressure release and preparing meat after cooked, butt or boneless pork rib meat*, cut into large chunks, large visible chunks of fat removed, or make your own (see post for instructions). So Ive beenexperimenting withdifferent versions and this one is the one we feel tastes closest to the real thing. Basically, thats asking for an actual recipe. Also, should I double the sauce? Pour enchilada sauce mixture over the shredded pork. I dont need to spend 10 bucks for one at Cafe Rio ever again when I can make it so easily at home! You can now make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork at home! Its a hit at any gathering! -I made it the night before so it could sit in the sauce overnight. Si. The cook time in the Instant Pot will vary according to the cut of meat used. Add apple cider vinegar and chicken broth. Hope this helps and thanks for asking! Im letting you in on all the secrets! ), add on top of the pork roast, cook it up all day, take out the pork and shred it up, and add back in some of the sauce (not all of it.it makes a lot of sauce!) The IP takes away much of the time normally spent in the slow cooking process, but remember the pot needs to come up to pressure, and the process takes a bit of time. My family loves it! In a small bowl, combine the cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Your pork is incredible. I think these homemade salads are SO delicious! Dont like the one she posted? Hi Anna, its actually a sauce pouch, so its liquid but not in a can. How would it taste to make this completely through, and then freeze it? Si. Pour can of Coke, water and garlic salt over pork in the slow cooker. Lets all be nice. Thanks for reading ABK and thanks for your help. I dont think there was another recipe that called for it. Lettuce Thanks for reading ABK. I havent tried the old elpaso version, but this is very close to the cafe rio flavor. This pulled pork is perfect over salad, rice, tacos, burritos, quesadillas or on a toasted bun. I was just freaking out wondering where my sweet pork recipe went! I have made many other recipes for Sweet Pork, but they lack flavor. I was wondering if you could make an Instant Pot variation on this recipe! I am so excited to use it for years to come. I cant wait to try this!! Here is the link https://abountifulkitchen.com/favorite-cafe-rio-copycat-recipes/, I have used this recipe several times, most recently for New Years Eve. -Simmer pork in a pan with cut up yellow onions, serrano peppers and chopped carrots. and it was a huge hit! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Im glad you can make sweet pork any time you need a Cafe Rio fix. Thanks for this amazing recipe! Im so looking forward to making this for my family! Tips and Secrets for perfect Cafe Rio Sweet Pork! Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates. I made this for my daughter and I for a twist on regular tacos. Thank you! Thank you so much for posting this! So happy you enjoyed it! Place the seared pork roast and coke in a 6 quart slow cooker. Instant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork is an updated version of my original recipe made in the oven or slow cooker, which takes up to 12 hours to cook. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and oregano. Yes it really is that fast and simple! -Use a spice blend of garlic powder, dried oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Hi Tamara, I usually just simmer the pork in a pan with cut up yellow onions, serrano peppers and chopped carrots, then remove the peppers and carrots after cooking and do not use the peppers and carrots in the sauce. Mothers Day is coming soon(hint, hint) Cook, covered, for 6 to 7 hours on low heat. ON. Cheese Is there any way to fix that? 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. serving of beef provides 11 g of fat, with 4.5 g of saturated fat, while a 4 oz. The best imitation of the caf rio pork recipe Ive tried! I am doing a frozen 7 lb roast should I increase the cooking time? Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Ingredients 3 pounds Pork Shoulder/Butt Bone in with a nice fat pad on top 1 Tablespoons Garlic Powder 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder Heaping 1 Tablespoon Cumin 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt Heaping 2 teaspoons Black Pepper 2 teaspoons Onion Powder 3 teaspoons Dried Oregano The aromatics totally make a difference, but you throw them out after its done cooking. Im liking this idea! I added a teaspoon or two of Cumin. Our favorite way to enjoy it is on a Cafe Rio Salad. I skipped out on doing it this time, and I could not tell a difference at all. Mix to combine and sprinkle over the roast. No taco sauce needed! Don't forget to add toppings to that as well (chopped onion, lime wedges, chopped lettuce, avocado, black beans, etc. Now those are some lucky judges! Thanks for sharing, Krista! Im not sure how much. Rub with garlic salt and pour 2 cups of coke and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5-6. It actually acts as a meat tenderizer in the recipe so dont leave it out. I secretly love when the hubs is out of town, I put the kids to bed WAY early and spend the night pampering in myself with dinner, a movie and a pedicure! But turns out fabulous. I try to keep recipes as simple and easy as they can be. Thanks for sharing, 3 lbs. You just mix together all four ingredients (yes, only four ingredients! Makes for amazing salads, burritos, tacos and quesadillas! Cover and cook on high 3 hours. Ingredients Scale 2 1/4 cups Coke, divided (not diet) 2 1/2 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat and cut into quarters 1 1/4 cup brown sugar, divided 1 tsp garlic salt 1 (4 oz) can green chilies 1 (10 oz can) red enchilada sauce Instructions Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 1-2 hours. thanks! Thank you so much for your support! Cafe Rio {Copycat} Creamy Tomatillo Cilantro Ranch Dressing [+ Video], Cilantro Lime Rice Cafe Rio {Copycat} [+ Video], Crock Pot Cafe Rio {Copycat} Chicken [+ Video], Smothered Cafe Rio {Copycat} Chicken Burrito. Prepare everything the same, but set the pork and bouquet garni (see section below) in a slow cooker for 8-10 hours. Thanks for ALL of your great Cafe Rio copycat recipes, Si! Just made this recipe for the second time. Thanks for passing on the recipe. Sorry about the half eaten salad in this next pictureit was SO good that I forgot to take a picture before I ate most of it! Used the above ingredients on low. 2 pounds pork (we use boneless pork ribs) 36 ounces Coke (3 soda cans) NOT diet 1/4 cup brown sugar dash garlic salt 1/4 cup water 1 can diced green chilies 10 ounces red enchilada sauce (Old El Paso brand is gluten free, I like medium spiciness but any will work) 1 cup brown sugar Instructions Put the pork in a heavy duty ziploc bag to marinate. I make my IP pork similar to yours but pour 1/2 liter of Dr pepper around pork chunks in IP and cook under manual pressure for 60 min unless very large portion in 8 qt I would cook for 75 min. 2 cups brown sugar The slow cooker makes this recipe so easy to make. Id love to hear your comments and suggestions for cookingInstant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork at home. Turned out fabulous. I would totally make this again. No Cafe Rio?!! If youve ever even had a flight layover in Utah, youve probably eaten at Cafe Rio (thanks to the airport location)! I do have one question though, how much taco sauce do you use? I am planning a large event and want to make sure I have enough. How many pounds of meat do you recommend, and should I alter the cooking time? How do you make the dressing/sauce that is on top? Can I make this is in the crockpot or oven. We recently moved ro an area where we no longer have quick access to cafe rio (our fave). Si. Chill at least 1 hour or overnight. Si. I actually found a sauce packet at Walmart that I made it with, and it was AMAZING!!! Thank you so much. that all work together. How do you serve this pork? How to make Caf Rio sweet pork in 15 minutes! The link for my homemade sauce is on this post under the last paragraph "Tips and Secrets for Perfect Cafe Rio Sweet Pork". boneless pork (carnitas, shoulder etc). Hi Mindy! Sounds delicious. Its delicious! If I use a 7-8lb shoulder, how long do you think I should cook it? If so would you put the sauce on before your freeze it or wait until you serve it? How long would you recommend I cook the meat for in my 8qt IP? Cut pork loin into three to four large chunks and add to crockpot. A big fat huge YES because this Cafe Rio Sweet Pork recipe is phenomenal, and I dont throw that word around too much. Want to make it authentic? Si. Chopped pork. Hi Tara! Marinade for a few hours or overnight, shaking once or twice during the marinating. It literally melts in your mouth. I always have used the old recipe and I used the frontera red Chile enchilada sauce packet and still love how it turns out. It is SO helpful to read about your experiences making this a few different ways and also your opinion about the best cut of meat and making ahead vs fresh! We Dont have Cafe Rio in Michigan. Your email address will not be published. Thanks! brown sugar, cafe rio, cafe rio copycat, cafe rio pork, copycat, copycat recipe, mexican pork, pork, root beer, shredded pork, sweet pork, FREE EMAIL BONUS: Cozy Soup Recipes to Get You Through the Winter, http://www.pinterest.com/pin/157555686939072946/, http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/09/red-chile-sauce-chicken-enchiladas.html, Jenna @ Extra Income Genie on February 24, 2014, Rocky Mountain Woman on September 11, 2013, Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain on September 11, 2013, Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking on September 11, 2013. OR you can place the shredded pork, and the remaining ingredients in a large pot on the stove top and heat it until its all warmed through. Thanks for all the work you put in to figure this out for the instant pot! Cook for the 6 hours, then an additional 2! Sorry Christine, but thanks for trying it. Sorry about the confusion. Its a fun series of futuristic fairy tale stories with a twist Si. Mention @favoritefamilyrecipes or tag #favoritefamilyrecipes! . One of my favorite dishes to get there is their sweet pork. Id love to know if this turned out well for you! In a medium sized saute pan on medium high heat add all your ingredients. Thank you for asking and for reading ABK! Im with you Natalie! It is on their must-eat list when they come back to visit every single time. If you scroll down the IP Cafe Rio post, under the second photo are links to all the Cafe Rio recipes (the words in blue writing). In fact you can make the quesadilla at home too with our Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Quesadilla recipeyoure welcome! I dont go longer than that as each week the flavor seems to fade a little in my opinion. Its okay, and turned out fantastic all the same! SO GOOD! I made this after reading all of the reviews and it was a hit. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. OHHH, that can be tricky. Take the pork out of the crock pot once it's finished cooking and place it on a cutting board. ? I followed the recipe exactly and soooo good! A pork loin or roast is going to be too lean and wont turn out exactly like Cafe Rio. Cook on high for 3-4 hours (or until the meat shreds easily) or on low for 8 hours. I hope this helps! Someone sneaky got into my cans of Coke I keep stored only to make Cafe Rio pork (we drink diet on a regular basis) and therefore I made this without it. Its perfect in burritos, tacos and salads. If you buy lean cuts of pork, your Instant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork will not taste like Cafe Rios Pork. But have you noticed that most of them call for Coke or Dr. Pepper? Thank you so much for sharing, Josee, Im so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don't let it get TOO dry) or on low for 8 hours. Sweet pork is my favorite meat at Cafe Rio. You made my day Rebecca! 12 servings Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 6 hours 40 minutes Total: 6 hours 50 minutes Rate Recipe Ingredients 3 lbs. Cant wait to make it. Shanna's Jiffy Mix Cornbread Made Better! Rumor has it that Dr Pepper or Coke are the preferred pops for Cafe Rio, choose whichever you prefer. boneless pork (carnitas, shoulder etc) 12 oz Coke (1 can) 1/4 cup brown sugar 10 oz. Excellent! Rub with garlic salt and pour 2 cups of coke and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5-6. If you are in a hurry, skip this step and omit the oil in the pot. 2c packed is too sweet so I used 1.5c. Hi Aubrey, . Try it and let us know if your Cafe Rio cravings are satisfied! haha, at least Im not the only one dealing with a non-sharer. The process was so easy and the results were amazing. The fat will need to be removed and discarded.-I use both homemade and canned red enchilada sauce for this recipe. I make LOTS when I make it and freeze ittastes just as good when thawed! Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. I do not live near any Kroger stores. Im hoping to serve 8 people. I love it in a burrito or on a salad. Blend for 20 seconds. Put pork and marinade liquid into a lined slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. I cant believe it either. Si. Continue to heat up until thickened. Hope this helps! {recipe to follow} This was, in my opinion, the easiest of the recipes. Is there any particular sauce you recommend? Remove pork from marinade and place in a slow cooker along with half a can of coke, water, and garlic salt. Using a slow cooker is an easy way to make pulled pork. Oops! He just loves it. If you are trying to lose weight, pork is a better choice than beef, because pork is lower in calories. Discard any fat. Then place the pork in the slow cooker and turn it on high and let the meat cook for 4 hour. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Does anyone have a suggestion for recreating the Old El Paso sauce. Do you think it will be enough? I used the green can of El Pato (jalepeno salsa). Changing the amount doesnt change the time when using the IP. I know the huge Pork Loin Roast at Costco is ridiculously inexpensive, and hardly has any fat on it, so not much waste as far as discarding fat goes. Serve on top of tortilla chips, tortillas, or a bed of rice. Shred as normal, preparing the sauce separate and toss to combine. What was the other recipe that called for the elusive sauce packet? We especially like it in quesidillas. I love your blog and havent ever been disappointed! My son took some left-overs back to college with him and texted me to let me know that everyone loved it there as well. Amazingly easy and so delicious. It really is the saddest thing! Everyone at my family gathering loved it. Its a great alternative to eating out! Check us out on Instagram and be sure to tag us @ohsweetbasil #ohsweetbasil for a chance to be featured! In the end, your best bet for tender fall apart meat is either Pork Shoulder, Boneless Pork Ribs or Boston Butt. This time combination allowed the meat to cook for the proper amount of time, breaking down almost all of the fat so it melted back into the meat when using a pork shoulder. Hi there! Also, when you write oregano it is the ground oregano, not the leaves, right? yay!) Lucky! Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat} Recipe [+ Video]. You can't go wrong! Put the shredded pork into a casserole dish and cover with the enchilada sauce. The yellow can said hot and I was a little scared hesitant to try it. Its so yummy! This pork look so saucy and delicious! I have not done so, but would use a pot roast or a chuck roast in place of the pork. Thanks for checking in on it, Stephanie! Ugh! Heres the definition of recipe: a set of instructions for making or preparing something, especially a food dish: a recipe for a cake. Si. Im feeding 5 men tomorrow and was hoping to freeze the extra cooked meat, but now Im worried I wont be able to get 9lbs cooked to forK tender. Use it to top a salad, a burrito, or a taco. Thank you so much for this recipe!! You can turn on the keep warm feature and the meat will stay on a low temperature for hours and be ready to eat later in the evening without overcooking. Pour enchilada sauce mixture over the shredded pork. Krista, Remove meat and shred. You just mix together all four ingredients (yes, only four ingredients! ), and happy to be watched over by 2 dogs. Si. But both have a good side, for example the protein and iron is awesome in beef. Cafe Rio Sweet Shredded Pork for Burritos 4.93 from 13 votes Prep: 5 mins Cook: 8 hrs Total: 8 hrs 5 mins Servings: 10 This sweet shredded pork tastes even BETTER than Cafe Rio, I promise! Boston butt and pork shoulder, technically from the same part of the pig or hog, are from the top portion of the shoulder area. Making this recipe in the Instant Pot is so easy and delicious! Delicious sweet pulled pork perfect for your favorite Mexican food dish. You can also use Boneless Pork Rib meat, which is basically the same thing as the shoulder, without the bone. Help please. The finished consistency of the frozen recipe was not nearly as good (obviously) as the fresh made night before and day of batches. So glad you like! Once pork is completely cooked, shred up the pork with two forks. Thanks! I made this 2 weeks ago and my 9 year old who loves Cafe rio said it was way better then the restaurant!!!