* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Its in the crockpot right now. By taco seasoning mixes and the Spanish rice. Im with you Natalie! Basically, thats asking for an actual recipe. xo, Hi Aubrey, I am doing a frozen 7 lb roast should I increase the cooking time? I bought a 9lb pork shoulder. xo thanks for reading ABK Do you mean a 12 oz can or a 16.9 oz bottle? Please share below and rate the recipe after youve given it a try! I did 30 pounds of pork and it went so smoothly and quickly! Let me know how this recipe turned out for you. But turns out fabulous. Sorry to not get back to you sooner! The pork is marinated and slow-cooked to perfection in some surprising ingredients! After the timer goes off, allow the pot to naturally release the pressure for at least 45 minutes. A big fat huge YES because this Cafe Rio Sweet Pork recipe is phenomenal, and I dont throw that word around too much. Cuts of pork are not created equal! Everyone says it tastes just like Cafe Rio. Add the shredded pork back to the slow cooker. Jennilyn, Hi Elise, you could try cooking it for 45 minutes if you only have 3 lbs of meat. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Combine meat and sauce: Return the shredded pork to the crock pot, along with the sauce mixture. We are doing a lot of recipe testing to find one. 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. I strained the meat, but it looks nothing like yours!! Si, Does this spice mix make the amount one would need to make this recipe, or does it make more? Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat} Recipe [+ Video]. Cafe Rio is a Utah based restaurant which has now spread into other states. The extra two hours gives the shredded meat a chance to soak up more of the marinade. Thank you for such a great recipe!!!! It takes about 5 minutes to make.-As stated in the post, I did not marinate the pork in the sauce before cooking. This pulled pork was amazing! Do you have a good suggestion to replace the sauce packet since they arent sold anymore? I do love this recipe. Any suggestions for a good replacement? Cook for the 6 hours, then an additional 2! Marinade pork for at least 2 hours or overnight in can of coke and 1/4 C brown sugar. Ours always appears to be done at 6 as well but I like how the flavor builds when going to 8 hours. I would love to pin this, but there is no image associated with it, so it wont let me pin the recipe. That is an awesome idea! Sometimes making a slow cooker sweet pork just fits into your schedule better, I totally get that! Thanks for sharing it. 4 Ways to Make Dr. Pepper - wikiHow . I figured some butts/shoulders were just tougher. ITs still really sweet and delicious. 3. We absolutely LOVE Caf Rio. Si. It is great as a salad, burrito, or nachos. 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. In a blender or food processor, blend the remaining 8 ounces Coca-Cola, diced green chilies, enchilada sauce and brown sugar. Im fairly certain the carbonation is what breaks down the meat and tenderizes, but the sugar adds sweetness. Hi Cristi! Let us know! Cafe Rio does marinade the meat but you will still have a delicious meal if you dont. This Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Copycat recipe does much better in the oven as it really brings out the flavor, but a slow cooker will work just fine. Apply nonstick cooking spray to the inside of the slow cooker. A little more Coke can be added if it seems too thick. Im letting you in on all the secrets! The meat cooks for a long time in the crock pot in its own juices which allows it to absorb a lot of flavor. I would also place the trivet at the bottom of the instant pot before you put the roast in. Here are the tips and secrets, all in one place for you to sift through and decided if you want to incorporate any into your recipe. Cafe Rio {Copycat} Sweet Pulled Pork - Recipes Studio I cant wait to try this!! Place the pork roast in the slow cooker. enchilada sauce can Easy Banana Pudding Recipe (No-Bake Banana Pudding), Quinoa salad with edamame, cucumber and avocado, Chili recipes with ground beef and sausage, 2 pounds pork ((we use boneless pork ribs)), 10 ounces red enchilada sauce ((Old El Paso brand is gluten free, I like medium spiciness but any will work)). 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. Its delicious! Not only that this pork sounds deeelicious, I absolutely LOVE that serving bowl! 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. Thanks! Allowing the pressure to naturally release results in a moist and tender finished product, similar to slow cooking the meat for 8-10 hours! I realized after I made this and then ate at Cafe Rio that this recipe tastes better than the actual Cafe Rio sweet Pork Burittos! In a small bowl, mix about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. A 4 oz. It always turns out tender and moist. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. But most of all, they love the memories made, shared and treasured and its all thanks to a meal shared together with loved ones. Dinner - Cafe rio sweet pork recipe slow cooker Just halved all ingredients for the sauce after it cooked. Shred as normal, preparing the sauce separate and toss to combine. Or just the last 2 hours add the mixture? (And Si is one of my favorite imaginary friends on instagramId love to actually meet her. My husband and i moved and miss cafe rio/costa vida so much. ), 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!) Thanks for asking and for reading ABK, I am SO excited to try this recipe. Made the recipe as directed, rolled it up into a burrito, covered it with some salsa verse and cheesebam. I definitely saving this one! Si. Haha I know! This recipe looks delicious! And this recipe is perfect for a crowd! Ill be making the original version tomorrow because Ill have plenty of time to do it! 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! Carefully remove the lid from the pot when all of the pressure is released. yay!) My husband is coming home from a trip tomorrow and I think this will be a perfect meal to make to make us both happy. Hello All, I'm looking to smoke a Pork Butt for sweet pulled pork using the Caf Rio Pulled Pork recipe using Coke or Dr Pepper as the flavor. XO SO GOOD! We have a whole section. Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Here, you can pin off of this link, http://www.pinterest.com/pin/157555686939072946/, Ive gone to three grocery stores and cant find el paso sauce packet WITH roasted garlic. Thirty minutes did not give the meat enough time to tenderize while 75 was too long. Thank you! Doing a slow roast on the pork with a spice mixture, those root veggies and preparing the sauce separate makes for an identical result. Walmart. Christine, 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. Meanwhile, in a pot, add the enchilada sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder and Coke. Making this recipe in the Instant Pot is so easy and delicious! Si, Hi there! Use a can of Coke and a quarter cup of brown sugar to marinate the pork for at least two hours and up to overnight. Thanks so much! ), but occasionally Ill get the quesadilla because its gooey. Its a great alternative to eating out! xo, I made this for my daughter and I for a twist on regular tacos. I would totally make this again. Ive never heard of this old el paso sauce packet. Pork Tacos today, Pork Salad tomorrow! All of this info was compiled from various butchers and online sources. Oh it's so good! That is the best compliment ever! We should set up a taste test for the neighbors and see if people can tell which is which. Las Palmas brand used at Cafe Rio. Not sure if tripling it will fit in one crock pot, so I would just use two separate crock pots/ slow cookers. Two neighbors have texted me today asking for the recipe! I dont think garlic powder would give the same flavor but you could roast a bulb of garlic and add 2-3 minced cloves into the sauce and that would be closer. The cook time was perfect. I havent tried the old elpaso version, but this is very close to the cafe rio flavor. Just had to say thank you again! Made some mistakes about draining the juices but it was pretty fool proof turns out. Your pork is incredible. Ive made this once before and my husband and I absolutely loved it! I preferred the finished consistency of the shoulder meat. I followed the recipe exactly and soooo good! I make LOTS when I make it and freeze ittastes just as good when thawed! Id love to know if this turned out well for you! Drain marinade and put pork, can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but dont let it get TOO dry) or on low for 8 hours. $2.49 is about what I paid 10 minutes ago. Blend until smooth. While it isnt spot on (I think it would be very hard to get it right), it is very tasty. I'm a creator, a card maker, and a day maker! Maybe we still call it butt because butt is more fun to say than shoulder? This applies to braising or smoking or an oven roast. I have always marinated my pork the night before or for at least a couple hours, but if you forget or just dont have time go ahead and cook it without marinading it. tastes amazing leftover too!!!! Add the pork to a gallon-sized ziplock bag and add cup brown sugar and 2 cups Coca-Cola. I usually do not have to increase the cook time much for a larger roast, but I would allow for an extra hour to be safe! This is by far the best sweet pork recipe! Im happy to announce that I found a couple recipes and then put them up to the Taste Test Challenge! One caution, not all cuts of pork work well in this recipe! Thanks again! it is super yummy. Thank you for this recipe! . I couldnt find the old elpaso sauce packets so I ended up using a 10oz can of red enchilada sauce and adding an entire small head of crushed garlic to it. It looks so delicious! Put meat back in crock pot and add enchilada sauce, garlic, green chilies and brown sugar. Its a keeper. Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Burrito Copycat Recipe, Creamy Tomatillo Ranch Dressing (Cafe Rio Copycat), Cafe Rio Copycat Recipes All the Best in One Place, Our Version of Cafe Rios Chicken Tortilla Soup, Our Version of Cafe Rios Sweet Pork Burrito, Our Version of Cafe Rios Cilantro-Lime Rice and Black Beans. Hi Anita, OHHH, that can be tricky. Some unusual ingredients are used to marinate and slow-cook the pork until it is just right. Do you think it will be enough? We recently moved ro an area where we no longer have quick access to cafe rio (our fave). Thank you for your kind comments! Remove the meat and set on a cutting board. Where did you get yours and what part of the grocery store is it in? You could try to add more brown sugar to compensate if you absolutely cannot find or use a regular soda. Thank you for asking and for reading ABK! I do not like the taste of frozen cooked meat so I do two things. The sauce will darken and thicken to a thin glaze. So happy you enjoyed it! Cafe Rio Pork | PelletSmoking.com Would timing and measurements be different? I love this recipe and cant find any sauce either. Definitely a new go to! Thank you Si for another great recipe! If your slow cooker is big enough you should be ok with the same time. Top 40 Dr Pepper Copycat Recipe Recipes Thanks so much! Boston butt and pork shoulder, technically from the same part of the pig or hog, are from the top portion of the shoulder area. Im hoping to serve 8 people. 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 2 cups brown sugar I m making it again today. Their sweet pulled pork was the absolute sizzle and now that Ive found this recipe I can have it whenever I want. Gluten-Free Healthy Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe We found it right by the refried beans and cans of enchilada sauce. I think that is one of the most valuable benefits of the IP, not having to plan dinner early in the morning anymore! We just tried this and it was AMAZING! And if so, how did you re-heat it? I better run over today! We like to use the following toppings on our salad: It works great in the Instant Pot too and you can find my Instant Pot Cafe Rio Pork recipe here. Perfect for burritos, salads and tacos! Hi Sara, the cook time will be the same, but to be safe I would pressure cook it for 60 minutes. And I will link up to the other cola-free Sweet Pork recipe as soon as I get permission! Well, my answer is YES. These items are bundled up in cheesecloth, tied off with string and throw into the dish with the food. Recognizing the Sunshine and Living Happy. I would wait to put the sauce on until you are ready to serve it. Tips and Secrets for perfect Cafe Rio Sweet Pork! Marinate for a few hours or overnight. I have even been told this recipe tastes better than the real thing. HAVE you ever tried Diet Pepsi for the soda in place of coke or Pepsi? Caramelized the chopped onions and then add them with the carrots and peppers to the sauce in the IP before adding the meat and then add the shredded pork and let it stay on warm for a while? Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Copycat Recipe 8 hr 15 min Boneless pork ribs, gluten free, coke, brown sugar, green chilies 4.617 Copycat Sweet Pork Recipe {Pressure Cooker or Slow Cooker} 2 hr Root beer, pork roast, enchilada sauce, red enchilada sauce, dark brown sugar 4.6325 Cafe Rio Sweet Pork 6 hr 50 min All rights reserved. Put the pork in a heavy duty ziploc bag to marinate. Let marinate for 3 hours or overnight. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our family doesnt like pork, but we love the beef. This recipe has always been a hit, especially in our family. Cook on high for 3-4 hours (or until the meat shreds easily) or on low for 8 hours. 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. Years ago, I posted a slow cooker or oven version of Cafe Rio Sweet Pork, along with a complete menu of recipes. This post may contain affiliate links. Absolutely delicious!! Your email address will not be published. Try our Restaurant Style Salsa on top too! Add your pork to a large zip-top bag, bowl with a lid, or other container with one cup of coke, and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Blend for 20 seconds. I buy a 3-4lb pork butt and Ill add that to the instructions right now! Hi Deb, Im sorry to hear that. Hi Judene! In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and oregano. Hi I'm Kari. They love everything from the keep you fit and healthy to the get out your sweat pants indulgent and everything in between. It often turned out dry tasting no matter how little the cook time. Could you put soda in the instant pot instead of water? In the comments,someone asks for a substitute for the sauce package. When purchasing the shoulder cut pork, I ask my grocery butcher to trim it off, along with the thick piece of fat that accompanies it. In a small bowl, combine the cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Ill see what I can find. xo Maybe 5 minutes longer? [Note to judges: this was recipe 1 for all of you that picked the first sweet pork sample as the winner]. Otherwise will try again when I have more time. Only thing I think we were missing was a little heat, will use hot chiles and enchilada sauce next time. Thanks for posting the recipe. I used to work at a Costa Vida and the sweet pork is very similar to Cafe Rios. Thanks for ALL of your great Cafe Rio copycat recipes, Si! Yay! xo, Double one of the recipes and the make one single recipe in the other. Hi Jill, Pour enchilada sauce mixture over the shredded pork. xo I am getting windy, but the Instant Pot version of CRP is amazing. 1 cup rootbeer, coke or Dr Pepper. I have been a little intimidated by new recipes in my IP, but had a great cut of meat from a sale and thought I would give it a try. Oh, I wish you did! Allow to cool for a few minutes. 2- Cut pork roast into quarters and add to the Instant Pot. Hi what kind of old el paso like an envelope or bottle? Question: I am making this for girls camp. And then release for 45 min. You just mix together all four ingredients (yes, only four ingredients! Cafe Rio Sweet Pork - Real Life Dinner I need guidance. The pork is tender and juicy, with the perfect amount of sweetness. Remove the fat before shredding the pork. 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. A pork loin or roast is going to be too lean and wont turn out exactly like Cafe Rio. Its a hit at any gathering! Discard the juices in the slow cooker and then add the shredded pork back in along with the sweet sauce and mix together. Your email address will not be published. Sweet pork is my favorite meat at Cafe Rio.