Ive tried many sweet pork copycats and this one is just spot on. xo yay!) Thanks so much for the yummy recipe! Si. Wait 30-60 minutes before serving. Are you marinating it in the Coke before you add the spices and brown in the Instant Pot? Im a total homebody. Oh good! The butt is usually sold without bone and the shoulder almost always is sold with a large bone-in. Your pork is incredible. Thanks for reading ABK, Help please. I actually called General Mills and was told they discontinued it. This is by far the best sweet pork recipe! If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little. Thanks! This is the perfect mix of savory sweet and will find its way into our regular taco Tuesday rotation. See our disclosure policy. Im planning to make this for cinco de mayo tomorrow. Thanks for passing on the recipe. Carole, Pure comfort food! Hope that helps! Im glad you can make sweet pork any time you need a Cafe Rio fix. Enjoy your girls camp! Mix the sauce into the shredded pork to thoroughly coat it. Recognizing the Sunshine and Living Happy. This was delicious!! Thanks! I think a few are helpful. Required fields are marked *. 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. Excellent! Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Sweet and succulent pork, perfect for your go-to Mexican dish. This looks so good! Total time: 495 minutes Cook time: 480 minutes Prep time: 15 minutes Yields: 10 servings Cuisine: Mexican/Spanish Number of ingredients: 8 Ingredients: 2 pounds pork ((we use boneless pork ribs)) If you are short on time, you can skip the marinating step. How much of the mix do I add for this recipe if it makes more than I need? Thanks for asking! Tips and Secrets for perfect Cafe Rio Sweet Pork! Some things: While it isnt spot on (I think it would be very hard to get it right), it is very tasty. I just want to make sure Im using correct measurements. Its is good any way, shape or form! Thanks for reading ABK and thanks for your help. But most of all, they love the memories made, shared and treasured and its all thanks to a meal shared together with loved ones. Pour mixture into bag. I made this for my daughter and I for a twist on regular tacos. How do you make the dressing/sauce that is on top? Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad Copycat Recipe - Food Fun Family xo, Ive never heard of this old el paso sauce packet. haha, at least Im not the only one dealing with a non-sharer. Thanks for sharing a fantastic recipe, cant wait to make it again! * Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Thats the only reason, its just gooey. Im starting to wonder about the pork being cooked different. Drain the marinade and add the pork to a 5-quart slow cooker. I know Ive posted about a few copycat recipes from Cafe Rio like the cilantro lime rice, Creamy tomatillo Cilantro Ranch and slow cookerCafe Rio chicken, but this recipe is so dead on I had no choice but to post. The meat cooks for a long time in the crock pot in its own juices which allows it to absorb a lot of flavor. And Im excited to try this new recipe. How many will this serve. Perfect! Thanks, The recipe calls for a 4-7 lb roast, and you are using a 7-8 lb roast, so the cook time should be close to the same. Changing the amount doesnt change the time when using the IP. xo Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. In the comments,someone asks for a substitute for the sauce package. then make sure you roast the garlic first and if possible roast your own tomatoes and then puree to the amount that the can normally is. All of this info was compiled from various butchers and online sources. I need to get myself an instapot and try this! Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper in a small dish. Pour half of the Coke and water around pork. Cover and heat until warmed all the way through and the meat has absorbed the sauce, about 1 to 2 hours on LOW heat. Place pork in a baking dish and pour 8 ounces of Coca-Cola and water over it (I used a measuring cup). . Instructions. EVER. I hope the store doesnt stop carrying them! Heres my question in someones reply: I bought a 9lb pork shoulder. Allowing the pressure to naturally release results in a moist and tender finished product, similar to slow cooking the meat for 8-10 hours! Its THAT good! Weve fed 8 just fine with it but you could always double it and have leftovers! In a medium sized saute pan on medium high heat add all your ingredients. This looks like the perfect dish to prepare for all my hungry helpers. Sweet pork is my favorite meat at Cafe Rio. I have an 8 quart instant pot. This Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Copycat Recipe is the real deal. I made this last night for my family and we had missionaries over and everybody loved it- the leftovers are amazing too! 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. Cade and Carrian have three children and love to spend time together whether its vacationing or snuggled up on the couch for a good movie. 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 Pour over the pork in the crock pot and cook for 5-6 hours, or until tender and shreds easily with a fork. Thank you! Thanks. Could I pull this off w/the normal sauce packet and then add garlic powder? I have cooked frozen chicken breasts successfully in the IP, but chicken is a much smaller cut of than a pork roast I suggest letting it thaw and cooking afterward. I love the copycat cafe rio recipes. Make sure to marinate for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. It was AMAZING! In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and oregano. Will the carrots get tender on just the warm setting? I am getting windy, but the Instant Pot version of CRP is amazing. My hubby is the biggest sweet pork fan. After eating more than my share of Cafe Rio meals, I came up with this oven or slow cooker recipeback in 2011. I am so excited to use it for years to come. Cook for the 6 hours, then an additional 2! . I dont need to spend 10 bucks for one at Cafe Rio ever again when I can make it so easily at home! Heather, Oh, I wish you did! Turn the setting to Manual or High Pressure and set the timer for 50 minutes. tastes amazing leftover too!!!! Don't drink the crock pot liquid. Place all other ingredients in a blender and puree until very smooth. Hope this helps! Cilantro Lime Dressing, Oh. Add the pork roast to the hot skillet and sear on both sides. We have a whole section. Here is the link to the cilantro-tomatillo dressing, but there are also links to my guacamole, black beans, rice and pico. Enjoy. 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. Ugh! Its a good sweet pork recipe but its definitely not the cafe rio one. 1 cup rootbeer, coke or Dr Pepper. Im excited to give this a try! ). This pork is SO flavorful! I didnt have root beer so I used Dr. Pepper, also I added a little more brown sugar but I like things very sweet. xo Im missing the step where you add the Coke. How to make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork in a slow cooker: Place the pork in the pot of your slow cooker. I made it in the crock pot on high with a 5 lb pork shoulder. Place shredded pork back in crock pot. The sweet pork also makes a perfect topping for nachos. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. During early experiments with this recipe, I cooked the pork in the sauce but found the sauce ingredients to be so diluted (even without adding water) and the sauce so runny that it was better to drain off some of the sauce and start over after cooking. Peach Mango Salsa You can also use Boneless Pork Rib meat, which is basically the same thing as the shoulder, without the bone. Im so glad you enjoyed the recipe and thank you for sharing, Get free recipes sent straight to your inbox! I have another request if possible. Does. Hope this helps and thanks for asking! Marinate in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Want to make it authentic? The cook time in the Instant Pot will vary according to the cut of meat used. Si, Hi there! A bit disappointed but its still yummy. read more:If you love this copycat sweet pork recipe, youre bound to love our BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe too! Yes it really is that fast and simple! Do you have a good suggestion to replace the sauce packet since they arent sold anymore? Thank you! Prepare a large crock pot by spraying the inside with cooking spray. As far as pork butt/shoulder goes, if its not shred-able, just keep cooking. xo Step 1: Place pork in a zip lock bag. That is an awesome idea! Notes Freezing: this cooked pork freezes amazing well. They crave Cafe Rio! Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours. We love to eat this dish when we are at our cabin. Thank you for this easy recipe! Si. xo That extra 1 to 2 hours after shredding the pork and pouring in the remaining ingredients is just meant to heat it all up together. Any other tips are appreciated! I so look forward to trying some of your recipes. Place pork roast inside. I love this sweet pulled pork!! Yay Rebecca! Lettuce xo Place the pork loin in a crock pot and turn on to high heat. Delicious! Lauren, Shred the meat well, discarding large pieces of the fat pad. I havent tried the old elpaso version, but this is very close to the cafe rio flavor. In fact, I pinned it to make sure. Sweet and tender shredded pork just like the one from Caf Rio. Taste and adjust salt, if needed. Im so glad youre trying this recipe, I know youll love it! Garlic Black Beans Cook for 30-60 more minutes. Thanks for making this recipe possible in the instant pot! Or they make, tacos, tostadas, burritos and quesadillas with the pork. Thanks for reading ABK, Sometimes at 7 hours its even still a bit tough and then 8 hours and its falling apart. The pork is tender and juicy, with the perfect amount of sweetness. The recipe for the spice rub was a bonus, flavoring the pork beautifully. All rights reserved. Las Palmas brand used at Cafe Rio. I have tried a lot of different sweet pork recipes. xo Everyone says it tastes just like Cafe Rio. Si. Ive never tried a recipe from you that Ive disliked. I planned and prepped, started the process and allotted for 8 hrs, as top of recipe states but did not realize until it was too late there was additional 2 hours. I hate that stores dont carry the same flavors. Can you tell me what I maybe did wrong? xo, Put meat back in crock pot and add enchilada sauce, garlic, green chilies and brown sugar. -Cook onions in a pan with oil until caramelized, add to cooked pork and enchilada sauce. I pretty much make all the recipes for this meal for family parties and everyone loves it!! A 4 oz. Thanks for all the work you put in to figure this out for the instant pot! Blend or process 1/2 can of Coke with the chilies, enchilada sauce, and the rest of the brown sugar until smooth (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste). Its okay, and turned out fantastic all the same! xo Thanks! xo 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). If you friends from Guatemala loved it then its a winner! I cant believe they discontinued that packet on us!! Thank you for your kind comments! Im hoping to serve 8 people. Your email address will not be published. Si. If it was bigger than 3-4 pounds it just needed more like 8-12 hours. Now those are some lucky judges! You just mix together all four ingredients (yes, only four ingredients! Wow Bonnie, how lucky are you! I think that is one of the most valuable benefits of the IP, not having to plan dinner early in the morning anymore! Its that good! And I think you will have enough sauce for an 8 lb roast. We put ours on top of nachos with homemade guac and queso and fresh pickled jalapeos. I buy a 3-4lb pork butt and Ill add that to the instructions right now! Si. Cant wait to see how it all comes together. Sarah, Si. Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. It is safer not to risk a reaction. thanks for reading ABK Just to make sure of our results, I took both cooked recipes to my brother and sister-in-law (who just had a baby! Pork and beef have about the same amount of protein, with beef being slightly higher, so really, it just depends on what youre looking for. Your ingredient list doesnt have the taco sauce on it. We have received many rave reviews on this sweet pork recipe. During the natural pressure release time, the meat continues to cook with the residual heat in the pot, the pressure is slowly released and the juices stay in the meat instead of escaping out of the pan (or pot). The only problem is the other six people who live with me hated it. Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos, Your email address will not be published. Ill be making the original version tomorrow because Ill have plenty of time to do it! Pour the sauce all over the pork and toss to coat. Si, Crystal I should have mentioned above, chicken will take way less time. Ill see what I can find. . No need to increase sauce amount. Absolutely delicious!! mwah! Wonder what the Coke does? A few I use, a few I do not. Thank you for such a great recipe!!!! I need to feed 100 hungry lacrosse players after practice next Thursday and want to have enough! When you try a recipe, please use the hashtag#ohsweetbasilonINSTAGRAMfor a chance to be featured in our stories! Instant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork | A Bountiful Kitchen Would timing and measurements be different? All Cafe Rio style recipes listed and linked on post. I followed the recipe to a T with a 5 lb boneless butt roast and my meat turned out a gelatinous mess swimming in sauce. Bring to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch mixture. You can use a bone in but it is harder to shred. boneless pork (carnitas, shoulder etc) 12 oz Coke (1 can) 1/4 cup brown sugar 10 oz. . -Simmer pork in a pan with cut up yellow onions, serrano peppers and chopped carrots. The difference was, they would warm theirs up for dinner the next night. 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. Would I be able to reduce the amount of cooking time in that case? Discard any large pieces of fat and then shred. Our favorite way to enjoy it is on top of a salad. Makes for amazing salads, burritos, tacos and quesadillas! In this recipe 45 minutes of natural release time is needed. 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 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! Discard any fat. You just mix together all four ingredients (yes, only four ingredients! Thanks for another great one!! Try this Creamy Cilantro Dressing to pour over the top. Set the manual/pressure cook button for 60 minutes. Go ahead and make this recipe as written. The pork will just be more tender than chicken. The process was so easy and the results were amazing. Full of delicious sweet flavor, this copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork recipe goes perfectly in salads, tacos, burritos and more. Do you think a 7 pound pork would be enough for a family of 12 adults and seven little kids? This is my go to sweet pork recipe. I was just freaking out wondering where my sweet pork recipe went! Add the shredded pork back to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until heated through. I do love this recipe. I dont go longer than that as each week the flavor seems to fade a little in my opinion. Ill have to try chicken next time. I made extra sweet sauce, would I be able to freeze the sauce alone to use for my next batch of sweet pork later this month? We ate on it for 2 days!! Yes, you can. I actually found a sauce packet at Walmart that I made it with, and it was AMAZING!!! 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). Hi Judene! Thanks for sharing, Krista! You may substitute beef for this recipe. 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. I strained the meat, but it looks nothing like yours!! I made this for Sunday dinner and it was huge hit! In factI find these recipes to be actually BETTER than the real versions. I do not live near any Kroger stores. -Thicken sauce with cornstarch after cooked. I would wait to put the sauce on until you are ready to serve it. In general, 1 lb of pulled pork will feed 3 people, so you will probably want 30-35 lbs to feed 100 people. So, its actually not the butt at all, but the shoulder. (It does not need to cover roast) Sprinkle evenly with garlic salt, salt and pepper. I tried this tonight to make sweet pork nachos and it was delicious! No taco sauce needed! Hi there! Add the pork to a gallon-sized ziplock bag and add cup brown sugar and 2 cups Coca-Cola. Cafe Rio {Copycat} Sweet Pulled Pork - Recipes Studio Add the 2 tablespoons of reserved spices, red enchilada sauce, brown sugar, green chiles and green salsa/enchilada sauce and stir/toss to combine. 2 cups brown sugar I added a teaspoon or two of Cumin. ? I bought a 9lb pork shoulder. They love everything from the keep you fit and healthy to the get out your sweat pants indulgent and everything in between. 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. I havent tried this with frozen pork yet. What size of cut did you use? Place shredded pork back in crock pot. And yes, youll use ground oregano. Rumor has it that Dr Pepper or Coke are the preferred pops for Cafe Rio, choose whichever you prefer. An even coating of garlic powder, salt, and pepper should be spread across the pork roast. They have new sauces in the Mexican aisle that will work! I do not like the taste of frozen cooked meat so I do two things. Cook on low for at least 6-7 hours. Yes, I made it last night for our Relief Society activity. (And Si is one of my favorite imaginary friends on instagramId love to actually meet her. I have had pork butt get tough before, and good results other times even cooking around the same amount of time with about the same size butt! It makes it easy to scratch our itch for CPK so far away from Utah. We dont have Caf Rio where I am, so I have nothing to compare to, but it sounds like a great combo. Si. xo It goes perfectly in burritos, tacos, salads and so much more. I love it in a burrito or on a salad. In the recipe, It states to place the shredded the pork with the sauce and additional 2 hours on the crock pot. This applies to braising or smoking or an oven roast. Wondering if I could make this recipe in a crockpot-I dont have an instant pot. Im eating it right now for the third day in a row, still in awe at how delicious it is. Jennilyn, Turned out fabulous. Heat just until sauce boils and the meat is heated through, then turn the setting to keep warm mode. Add about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Pork is best served the day after it is cooked completely and sauce is made. Warm in a slow oven or stovetop. Si, I dont believe Sirloin pork is fatty enough to achieve a shredded finished product I highly recommend either pork shoulder or butt! This is my favorite cafe rio pork recipe. Every time I eat it, its 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. The great thing about these recipes is: you put all the ingredients in the crock pot to cook all day (easy! Pour enchilada sauce mixture over the shredded pork. My family LOVES your Caf Rio Chicken. Hi what kind of old el paso like an envelope or bottle? Thanks for asking! Marinate for a few hours or overnight. Looking forward to making this. I think these homemade salads are SO delicious! I also love the effect soda has when cooking meat, especially pork. Si. Combine a can and a half of Coke with about a quarter cup of brown sugar. CopyCat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Mommy's Kitchen I have about four hours. Ive had dozens of readers email and leave comments regarding the at home version of this recipe and reported back huge success in making Cafe Rio Sweet Pork for family reunions, weddings, girls camp, and youth conference gatherings to name a few. Yum. 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. Take the pork out of the crock pot once it's finished cooking and place it on a cutting board. boneless pork carnitas, shoulder etc 12 oz Coke 1 can 1/4 cup brown sugar 10 oz. If you turn the crock pot on high and heat it for another 30 to 45 minutes it should be good to go! Question: I am making this for girls camp. I have been making various copycat recipes for the past 15 years and this is the best and least fussy. How to make Caf Rio sweet pork in 15 minutes! I get it. Its a fun series of futuristic fairy tale stories with a twist Love your blog:). Also, did not take 8 hours in our crock pot, more like 6 total. Home All Recipes ALL MEALS Dinner Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe (Copycat). I have not done so, but would use a pot roast or a chuck roast in place of the pork. Hi Megan, thank you for pointing that out, the cook time should be about and hour and a half. Using a slow cooker is an easy way to make pulled pork. Thanks for your time and talent! Misti. Im happy to announce that I found a couple recipes and then put them up to the Taste Test Challenge! Shred pork. Heres the definition of recipe: a set of instructions for making or preparing something, especially a food dish: a recipe for a cake. I always have used the old recipe and I used the frontera red Chile enchilada sauce packet and still love how it turns out. 3, Have you made our easy Shoyu Ramen? Place the lid on the top of the pot (make sure the sealing ring is in place inside of the lid) and lock into sealing position. Once it finishes and steam is released I drain liquid, shred with two forks, then add the enchilada sauce mixture and just incorporate together until hot. Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe | Modernmealmakeover.com I originally started this blog to remind me to be happy amid adversity, and I hope it inspires you, too! Im constantly tweaking this recipe too!Tandie, Yes, you can use a beef roast instead of the pork! The pork is marinated and slow-cooked to perfection in some surprising ingredients! Hoping it turns out! 1 packet sauce (no longer made) Seriously, made my day! About 2 years ago I started making the sweet pork at home, and it just never tasted right. When using an IP, it is extremely important when cooking meat to allow the meat to naturally release the pressure in the pot. Add coke, water, garlic salt, onion salt, and chili powder. We Dont have Cafe Rio in Michigan. ! Jared, We love, love, love this recipe! Once pork is completely cooked, shred up the pork with two forks. Have you ever tried adding chipotles in adobo sauce? Can you use Dr. pepper instead of coke? xo Youll have to try ours and see how it compares in taste! I have a 7lb pork butt and I dont want to chance it in my instant pot. it is super yummy. Rub with garlic salt and pour 2 cups of coke and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5-6. Its a little scary making a meal for a group when youve never tried the recipe before! Marinade for a few hours or overnight, shaking once or twice during the marinating. It was absolutely phenomenal!!! I love seeing what you made. Thanks for sharing, And I will link up to the other cola-free Sweet Pork recipe as soon as I get permission! I get it! ), 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!) {recipe to follow} This was, in my opinion, the easiest of the recipes. Si. Im going to have to slice and it absorbed no flavor. The pork cooks for a long time in the slow cooker which makes the meat tender and easy to shred. 2. And youll wonder why. All the recipes are for a slow cooker and the coke is added to the pork about 6 hours after starting, then another two hours of cooking time. I love your variation and thanks for sharing, Joana! Its so yummy! So sorry, I asked my comment in a reply on accident. Required fields are marked *. Moving to my new house this weekend. Cover with lid and cook on high heat for 6 hours. Double one of the recipes and the make one single recipe in the other. Its perfect in burritos, tacos and salads. I wonder if I can use chicken for pork? Rub the dry seasoning all over the pork roast. Shake until meat is coated. ), Hi Tanya! In a blender or food processor, blend the remaining 8 ounces Coca-Cola, diced green chilies, enchilada sauce and brown sugar. Should I triple the amount of soda while cooking? This was amazing! If you are in a hurry, skip this step and omit the oil in the pot. Cafe Rio Sweet Pork {Copycat} Recipe [+ Video]. Over the years I have read many comments, suggestions and tips for preparing the highly guarded secrets in Cafe Rio recipes, namely the Sweet Pork recipe. Place pork shoulder or butt in a slow cooker and pour 1 cup each of Dr. Pepper and water over the meat.