Its okay, and turned out fantastic all the same! Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes Delicious sweet pulled pork perfect for your favorite Mexican food dish. I am getting windy, but the Instant Pot version of CRP is amazing. After eating more than my share of Cafe Rio meals, I came up with this oven or slow cooker recipeback in 2011. In fact, I pinned it to make sure. It was to die for. 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. I would also place the trivet at the bottom of the instant pot before you put the roast in. Absolutely delicious!! 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! Put pork, can of Coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot and cook on high for about 3-4 hours or on low for 8 hours. We have made it for several years now and it surely is a treat! Im going to have to slice and it absorbed no flavor. sides, Spinach egg white frittata costco heating instructions. Youre welcome, Lindsey! Taste and adjust salt, if needed. We dont buy caffeinated drinks so I was hoping it would taste just as great with rootbeer. If youve ever even had a flight layover in Utah, youve probably eaten at Cafe Rio (thanks to the airport location)! Sometimes at 7 hours its even still a bit tough and then 8 hours and its falling apart. Through the years weve had many friends who have moved on to new adventures in places other than Utah (though Cafe Rio is spreading like crazy across the countrynow in CA, AZ, CO, FL, ID, MD, MT, NV, VA, WA, and WY!) Perfect! I get it. I was SO tempted to make a taco at almost midnight because it smelled so good as I was finishing it. Also, just received your cookbook and cant wait to flip through it at lunch! Do you live around a Kroger? Marinade pork for at least 2 hours or overnight in can of coke and 1/4 C brown sugar. Made some mistakes about draining the juices but it was pretty fool proof turns out. Thank you! After trying a few different cook times and water levels and also marinating vs not marinating, I found pork loin to be too lean. Turn to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Thanks for sharing a keeper. Mine needed more time in the pressure cooker, but that was an easy fix. Wonder what the Coke does? Take the pork out of the crock pot once it's finished cooking and place it on a cutting board. {recipe to follow} This was, in my opinion, the easiest of the recipes. Cooking in the Instant Pot is totally different than cooking in a slow cooker. I love Cafe Rios pulled pork. xo, Hi Anna, its actually a sauce pouch, so its liquid but not in a can. 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. 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. 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. Hope that helps! Put the pork in a heavy duty ziploc bag to marinate. Cafe Rio is a Utah based restaurant which has now spread into other states. Weve fed 8 just fine with it but you could always double it and have leftovers! Im fairly certain the carbonation is what breaks down the meat and tenderizes, but the sugar adds sweetness. Thank you, Si! Thanks for asking! (They do rival the restaurant however, there is something lovely about having all the ingredients ready and a salad made-to-order for you at the restaurant!). So happy you enjoyed it! 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! Its a keeper. Im hoping to serve 8 people. We are still working on it! serving of pork contains 4.5 g of fat, with 1.5 g of saturated fat. I read in a comment that you would recommend some sauces at Kroger. Thank you!! Yay Rebecca! My family loved it! Calista This amount of sauce will work fine for 4.5 lbs. to try out. Made it today. Question: I am making this for girls camp. I am a homebody and especially love a night to myself to putter in the kitchen with a glass of wine. 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). Rub the dry seasoning all over the pork roast. Two neighbors have texted me today asking for the recipe! 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). Notes Freezing: this cooked pork freezes amazing well. Place all other ingredients in a blender and puree until very smooth. Las Palmas brand used at Cafe Rio. This pork is SO flavorful! Now those are some lucky judges! Or would you recommend using your older recipe? Si. Apply nonstick cooking spray to the inside of the slow cooker. It is removed after cooking and can be made with either fresh or dried herbs, root veggies etc. Since 2007, our family has been dishing out tried and true recipes for classic, home-cooked food online. 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. Im going to have to try and find that sauce packet!! We moved from Utah to Mississippi and its nowhere around! One caution, not all cuts of pork work well in this recipe! -I somehow didnt have onion powder, for the first stage of rubbing the spices on the meat in the ziploc. Each time I visit Utah, a visit to Cafe Rio is required at least once. Hi! Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water and garlic salt in slow cooker. Its personal preference if you want to add them to the sauce. Serve pork in burritos, salads and tacos! Id love to hear your comments and suggestions for cookingInstant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork at home. I tried several different cook times, from 30-75 minutes. I always have used the old recipe and I used the frontera red Chile enchilada sauce packet and still love how it turns out. Im so glad youre trying this recipe, I know youll love it! Bring to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Instructions. The difference was, they would warm theirs up for dinner the next night. Place the seasoned pork roast into the slow cooker. Youre not making something that needs to be cooked to a temperature, so unless you cook to the point where the meat starts dissolving, which is possible, you cant really over cook it. Put meat back in crock pot and add enchilada sauce, garlic, green chilies and brown sugar. Being critical is mean, but this is not what Id expect on a food blog. While it isnt spot on (I think it would be very hard to get it right), it is very tasty. Try this Creamy Cilantro Dressing to pour over the top. thank you si!!! In the end, your best bet for tender fall apart meat is either Pork Shoulder, Boneless Pork Ribs or Boston Butt. Hi Angie, Next remove the meat from the crockpot and put in a bowl and shred the meat. Place shredded pork back in crock pot. Discard the juices in the slow cooker and then add the shredded pork back in along with the sweet sauce and mix together. Add the full can of coke, brown sugar and green salsa. Thanks so much! Add the pork to a gallon-sized ziplock bag and add cup brown sugar and 2 cups Coca-Cola. Hi Kathy! Thank you! Hi Kate, it should be the same cooking time even with the bone in. 2c packed is too sweet so I used 1.5c. Garlic Black Beans After reading the comments, I figured out that you changed the recipe. ? How would the cook time change for this? Im so excited to try this. It is wonderful. 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 pork and liquid into crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Drain the marinade, and sprinkle the pork all over with garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper. Do you think it will be enough? I think if I double it there should be enough. Pour 8 ounces of Coca-Cola ( I used a measuring cup) and water around pork. Thanks! Thanks for asking and for reading ABK, We dont have Caf Rio where I am, so I have nothing to compare to, but it sounds like a great combo. Maybe 5 minutes longer? :o). And this recipe is perfect for a crowd! I made this for my daughter and I for a twist on regular tacos. Im missing the step where you add the Coke. Help please. Im so glad it turned out well for you and thanks for sharing. Definitely a new go to!! Si. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. Discard the liquid from the slow cooker. I love all your copy cat recipes but cant seem to find one for the spicy pork! Do I have to thaw my meat? 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? Thanks for asking! Wedge the bundle next to an end of the pork. It really is the saddest thing! He, Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Sweet Cinnamon Butter! 1 packet sauce (no longer made) It often turned out dry tasting no matter how little the cook time. Here is a link to my favorite one, I actually own three of them! Yes, the onions will get quite dark, but its ok. I followed the recipe to a T, also making the ABK homemade menudo dry rub and the ABK Homemade Enchilada Sauce for the simmering meat. Si. Combine a can and a half of Coke with about a quarter cup of brown sugar. 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). Well, Ive tried my fair share of these recipes in the pastbut since I strongly dislike colas (yes, all of them) I found that I did not like those recipes that included them! I actually called General Mills and was told they discontinued it. xo, Thanks for sharing it. Thanks Madison! The result was excellent! Neither has a high enough fat content to make the fall apart finished product youre looking for. When cool enough, pull any remaining visible fat off of meat and set aside. Cook on low for at least 6-7 hours. -Only use pork butt or shoulder. I love your blog and havent ever been disappointed! xo Youre probably going to want 12-14 hours in the oven. Just had to say thank you again! Put in the marinade for at least a few hours and up to a full day. No cafe rio close by. (so 8 hours total) . Si. We like to eat it with a tortilla on a plate then topped with lettuce, black beans, rice and cilantro ranch dressing! I have made this recipe all the same prep steps and ingredients with a few tweaks to use an instant pot : 3 lbs of pork tenderloin cut into chunks for 55 minutes on manual (with the grate that lifts the meat mostly off the bottom of the pot. Yum. Spray inside of a large crock pot with cooking spray. 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. The aromatics totally make a difference, but you throw them out after its done cooking. Finally got around to making this in the crockpot yesterday. I was just freaking out wondering where my sweet pork recipe went! Thank you for bringing that to my attention! If you are wanting to triple the recipe, yes you would triple the amount of soda. Im planning to make this for cinco de mayo tomorrow. And I think you will have enough sauce for an 8 lb roast. read more:If you love this copycat sweet pork recipe, youre bound to love our BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe too! Just Clarification, do you cook it for 6 hours or 8-9 hours and then an additional 2 hours after adding the remaining ingredients? Thanks for reading ABK and thanks for your help. Made the recipe as directed, rolled it up into a burrito, covered it with some salsa verse and cheesebam. Does thefood blogworldreally need another Caf Rio recipe? The cook time in the Instant Pot will vary according to the cut of meat used. Yes, I made it last night for our Relief Society activity. xo Its a tender pulled pork recipe with a coke or dr pepper sauce that Utah loves! This is the best sweet pork recipe Ive tried! Did you have an update to this recipe? Combine the cola stevia and cherry flavoring in a 12 fl oz (350 mL) glass. Wondering if I could make this recipe in a crockpot-I dont have an instant pot. 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. 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. Your pork is incredible. Wonder what the Coke does? In a small bowl, combine remaining can of Coke, can of chiles, enchilada sauce and brown sugar. This looks like the perfect dish to prepare for all my hungry helpers. We have spent YEARS, much like we did for the perfect Melt in Your Mouth Buttermilk Pancakes and The Very Best Banana Bread, searching out exactly how this pork is made. It makes it easy to scratch our itch for CPK so far away from Utah. Remove the peppers and carrots after cooking. 2- Cut pork roast into quarters and add to the Instant Pot. You are amazing!! Enjoy using your Instant Pot! Who says eating healthier means you have to give up everything?! I know, I know. The extra two hours gives the shredded meat a chance to soak up more of the marinade. i didnt continue to cook with sauce mixture but Im sure it would make the flavor more deep and perhaps a little thicker maybe? Ive tried a couple other times to make this and this was by far closest to Cafe Rio. Pour enchilada sauce mixture over the shredded pork. Thirty minutes did not give the meat enough time to tenderize while 75 was too long. The regular Coke does add a sweetness to it that makes this pork so amazing. Thats cheaper than I got mine. Would you recommend cooking all of it at once for a longer time, or cutting it into thirds and cooking only one piece for now? Also, the sauce is actually called roasted garlic and chile or something like that. Living in Midwest we have to make our own Cafe Rio and I have made versions often. xo Either I toss everything in a bag with the meat and freeze it then pop it in the slow cooker on low for 10-12 hours or I cook it and allow it to cool completely then put in bags (we separate into two meals since our family is small) and freeze for up to 1 month. Cover with lid and cook on HIGH for about 3-4 hours. Add the shredded pork back to the slow cooker. I was referring to your homemade spice mix. xo Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, up to overnight. Thanks for reading ABK, xo just a thought for those trying to watch their sugar intake. No words can describe how happy my family is. Do you serve this as a pulled pork sandwich on a bun or on a tortilla? Because of differences in slow cooker heat, make sure you check it a few times throughout the day to make sure the meat doesnt overcook. Alot of prep work but was delicious. Its so yummy! Ive seen some other recipes use Coke and I think it would definitely add to the flavor. This looks so good! We feel like the Cafeo Rio pork, at least the one by us, tastes totally different than it did years ago which is a bummer too. xo Hope this helps! 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. In a small bowl, combine the cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Set it and forget itthats why we love that slow cooker! Im constantly tweaking this recipe too!Tandie, Yes, you can use a beef roast instead of the pork! It takes about 5 minutes to make.-As stated in the post, I did not marinate the pork in the sauce before cooking. The pork cooks for a long time in the slow cooker which makes the meat tender and easy to shred. Hi! I bought a 9lb pork shoulder. thanks for reading ABK, Si, I dont believe Sirloin pork is fatty enough to achieve a shredded finished product I highly recommend either pork shoulder or butt! 1 week ago wikihow.com Show details . If you are in a hurry, skip this step and omit the oil in the pot. If Im using 2.5 lbs of pork instead of 4 like this recipe calls for, do I still do the full two cups of water and 50 minutes pressure cooked time? No need to increase sauce amount. Prepare everything the same, but set the pork and bouquet garni (see section below) in a slow cooker for 8-10 hours. I dont go longer than that as each week the flavor seems to fade a little in my opinion. The pork is marinated and slow-cooked to perfection in some surprising ingredients! We originally shared this recipe back in 2007, and it has been the most popular Cafe Rio copycat recipe on the internet! Mix to combine and sprinkle over the roast. Hi Melissa, I havent tried cooking it with soda, but Im sure it would turn out great! Altenew 8th Anniversary Blog Hop Day 5 + Giveaway (over $2,000 in Total Prizes). This will add the perfect flavor to this pork! How to cook . Rub with garlic salt and pour 2 cups of coke and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5-6. Thanks so much! Appreciate it;). Many pressure cooking experts agree that releasing the pressure manually (turning the pressure valve to release) will cause the meat to be tough. You made my day Rebecca! Hi there! Rub with garlic salt and pour 2 cups of coke and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5-6. Cover crock pot with lid and cook another 1 to 2 hours on low heat. xo 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. There are a lot of Sweet Pork (Cafe Rio Copycat) Recipes out there. Frontera Red Chile with roasted tomato and garlic Enchilada Sauce. Thank you so much for sharing, Josee, Im so glad you enjoyed the recipe! i made this yesterday! Yum! This unique cookbook guides the way through every step, including meal lists and easy-to-follow recipes, and features dollops of heartwarming family stories. Keep warm until ready to serve. 12 servings Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 6 hours 40 minutes Total: 6 hours 50 minutes Rate Recipe Ingredients 3 lbs. Absolutely! 50 min and I let it npr for 1hr until I was ready to finish dinner. The IP cooks at such a high temperature and pressure for a small amount of time, while the slow cooker is the complete opposite. Do you think canned enchilada sauce would work instead of the cooking sauce? Its up to you. Everyone at my family gathering loved it. Thanks! . However, in my experience coke zero and light brown sugar work really well in this recipe. I forgot to take that out of the instructions. Perfect for burritos, salads and tacos! Were your place for more than 1,000 actionable, traditional recipes to serve and celebrate your friends and family. Thanks for all the work you put in to figure this out for the instant pot! That would be amazing! Yes, you can. Its really quite fun. This recipe is clearly a little different because it uses Coke, but trust me its the way its prepared that is key. I need to make this for 20-25 people. I skipped out on doing it this time, and I could not tell a difference at all. Use it to top a salad, a burrito, or a taco. Glad you loved this recipe. Ive tried another Cafe Rio sweet pork recipe, and yours definitely tastes more like the real deal!! You can also use the meat in tacos, enchiladas or burritos. This looks so delicious!! I was wondering if you could make an Instant Pot variation on this recipe! Mix until well combined. If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little. Brown sugar should be included in step 11 yes? Carole, Ive never heard of this old el paso sauce packet. Once its shredded and ready to go, use it as a topping or filling in any of the following ways. I make everything ahead and then we simply chop up lettuce and tomatoes and grill fresh tortillas for a homemade Cafe Rio style feast! This was delicious!! Have you made this recipe yet? Place the shredded meat back into the Instant Pot and turn the setting to Saute. Add the pork to your slow cooker, and discard the marinade. 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. Thank you so much! Si. So if you are cooking a 7 lb roast, about 3.5-4 lbs of meat left if using a pork butt or shoulder. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Has anyone tried making it with rootbeer? Wow Bonnie, how lucky are you! In the recipe, It states to place the shredded the pork with the sauce and additional 2 hours on the crock pot. . Check us out on Instagram and be sure to tag us @ohsweetbasil #ohsweetbasil for a chance to be featured! Ive never tried a recipe from you that Ive disliked. I have another question, will cooking the pork shoulder in a crock pot break down the fat enough that it will shred ok? Peach Mango Salsa When using an IP, it is extremely important when cooking meat to allow the meat to naturally release the pressure in the pot. God! Spring is right around the corner! TfRecipes. Si. xo Im starting to wonder about the pork being cooked different. 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. Youll have to try ours and see how it compares in taste! 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. ), and happy to be watched over by 2 dogs. Some say Dr. Pepper. Si. Drain marinade and discard. Lets treat others how wed like to be treated . Thanks for checking in on it, Stephanie! You could try to add more brown sugar to compensate if you absolutely cannot find or use a regular soda. The longer the better. The meat cooks for a long time in the crock pot in its own juices which allows it to absorb a lot of flavor. Shred pork. And if so, how did you re-heat it? Hoping it turns out! Its perfect in burritos, tacos and salads. Ill have to try chicken next time. Keep cooking for an additional hour or two on low heat with the lid on the crock pot. I love your variation and thanks for sharing, Joana! I saw you hint at a Kroger substitute but didnt specify which one. I originally started this blog to remind me to be happy amid adversity, and I hope it inspires you, too! 3. Pour enchilada sauce mixture over the shredded pork. I made this today for dinner, and my husband said if he closed his eyes he would not be able to tell the difference between Cafe Rio or Costa Vida or what I made. I saw the Frontera one and want to know if it turned out similar. If you would like to thicken the sauce a bit, whisk one tablespoon of cornstarch into a cup of the liquid removed from pan after the meat was cooked and add back to the Instant Pot with meat and enchilada sauce. Ive tried it and it still turns out amazing! Let us know how it turns out! All of those pics should be pinnable. Toss with the shredded meat and cook an additional 30 minutes. Si. Thanks for another great one!! xo My secrets (and recipes) for getting dinner on the table FAST! I hope this helps! Any other tips are appreciated! Thanks so much for the yummy recipe! I found the best time combination was 50 minutes at high pressure and then a 45+ minute natural pressure release, which means no touching the valve that allows pressure to release from the pot for at least 45 minutes. Your email address will not be published. How To Make Our Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe: When you are ready to prepare the sweet pork for this Cafe Rio copycat recipe, get out your slow cooker and fill it half of the way with water. This pork is the real deal! Cook again. Enjoy your girls camp! What better place to share tips for making the best sweet pork, than on a recipe for Instant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork?! I love Cafe Rio sweet pork, so I will definitely try this. Walmart. Si, I made this Instant Pot Cafe Rio for our RS Birthday dinner which was right before the Covid shutdowns. I experimented with pork loin, Boston butt and pork shoulder for Instant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork. Dump all the liquid in the crockpot. Drain the marinade and add the pork to a 5-quart slow cooker. These items are bundled up in cheesecloth, tied off with string and throw into the dish with the food. 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. 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. xo How long did you pressure cook it for? Instructions . Ours always appears to be done at 6 as well but I like how the flavor builds when going to 8 hours. To the slow cooker, add in the garlic, onion, chili powder, water and cola. ITs still really sweet and delicious. The recipe for the spice rub was a bonus, flavoring the pork beautifully. Thanks again! HAVE you ever tried Diet Pepsi for the soda in place of coke or Pepsi? If you turn the crock pot on high and heat it for another 30 to 45 minutes it should be good to go! Im letting you in on all the secrets! Cafe Rio is a popular fast-casual Mexican style restaurant with headquarters in Utah.