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Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

August 17, 2020 | Mexican

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Cafe Rio Sweet Pork is a delicious copycat recipe that can be used in burritos, enchiladas, tacos, sandwiches, or salads. It tastes just like the amazing pork from Cafe Rio Mexican Grill based in Salt Lake City! This recipe is so easy to make and is great for feeding a crowd.

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork in a large shallow white bowl with two forks in the side.

Cafe Rio was one of my favorite restaurants to eat at during college. Unfortunately, I haven’t lived near one since graduating so I had to make a Cafe Rio Sweet Pork copycat recipe to satisfy my cravings. Believe me, after you try this you will crave it a lot too.

This looks a lot like bbq pulled pork but instead of a barbecue sauce, a homemade sauce made up of enchilada sauce, chilies, and sugar is used. It is so dang good!

Shredded pork covered in a sauce in a bowl with two forks in the side of the bowl.

Cafe Rio Sweet Pulled Pork

What I love about this pork is that it is inexpensive and so easy to make. Usually pork roasts sell for $1.99 a pound but often goes on sale for cheaper.

This is one of my go-to meals for when we get together with friends or extended family because it’s easy and enjoyed by everyone.

Top view of ingredients- measuring cup of brown sugar, can of soda, enchilada sauce, green chilies, and chili powder.

HOW TO MAKE CAFE RIO SWEET PORK:

Time needed: 8 hours and 10 minutes.

  1. Season

    Season all sides of pork generously with garlic salt.

  2. Cook

    Lay the roast fat side down in the slow cooker and pour the water and part of the root beer in the bottom. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

  3. Make the Sauce

    In a blender, puree remaining root beer, brown sugar, enchilada sauce, green chilies, and chili powder. (This can be made just before the 6 hours are up or in the beginning and refrigerated.)

  4. Shred

    Remove the roast onto a cutting board. Discard any large pieces of fat and then shred. Discard the juices in the slow cooker and then add the shredded pork back in along with the sweet sauce and mix together.

  5. Cook again

    Cook on low for another 1.5 hours. Remove the lid, turn the heat up to high and cook for about 30 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened.

  6. Can I double the recipe?

    Yes! You can double the recipe just fine and still fit it in a large 6-quart slow cooker.

Four photos- ingredients for sauce in a blender; a slow cooker with shredded pork; shredded pork with a red sauce being poured over the top; a close up of the pork covered in sauce.

FAQS

What cut of pork is best for shredding?

Boston butt (pork butt) or pork shoulder are the best for pulled pork recipes. They are often tougher and less expensive than other cuts but they have great marbling and when cooked low and slow they produce tender and flavorful meat.

Can I use a bone-in roast?

Yes! Since the bone takes up space and weight, I recommend using a bone-in roast that is 1-2 pounds more than the recipe calls for so that you end up with as much meat.

Is there a leaner cut of meat I can use?

I have used pork loin and it is also really good though not as tender and moist as pork butt and shoulder.

Why can’t I use diet soda in cooking?

Diet soda contains aspartame which is not meant to cook. When exposed to prolonged heat it’s altered and loses its sweetness.

A close-up shot of Cafe Rio Sweet Pork in a bowl.

TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS SWEET PULLED PORK:

  • Slow Cooker– This is very similar to the one I use but it has the addition of a lockable lid which is awesome for when you are transporting food for a party or pot luck, especially soup.
  • Wolf Gourmet Blender– This blender is amazing! It a power house that can blend anything. I love it and use it for everything from smoothies, to soups, to dressings. For a more affordable blender that does a good job, I recommend this KitchenAid Blender.
  • Shredder Claws– These make shredding meat so easy!
Sweet pulled pork in a bowl with two forks for serving and bowls of black beans and cilantro lime rice to the sides.

LOOKING FOR MORE MEXICAN DISHES? CHECK OUT THESE:

  • Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
  • Chile Colorado
  • Crock-Pot Mexican Chicken
  • Taco Soup
  • Salsa Chicken Tacos
Print Recipe

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork is an amazing copycat recipe that can be used in burritos, enchiladas, tacos, sandwiches, or salads. This tastes just like the delicious pork from Cafe Rio Mexican Grill based in Salt Lake City. This recipe is so easy to make and is great for feeding a crowd.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time8 hrs
Total Time8 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 364kcal
Author: Garnish and Glaze

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds boneless pork roast (shoulder or butt)
  • garlic salt
  • 1 can Root beer, Coke, Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper, (NOT diet)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 10 ounces red enchilada sauce
  • 4 ounces green chilies
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

  • Shake garlic salt all over the pork and lay fat side down in crock-pot. Pour 1/4 cup Root Beer and 1/4 cup water in the bottom of the pot. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6 hours.
  • Make the sauce by combining remaining Root Beer, brown sugar, enchilada sauce, green chilies, and chili powder in a blender. Puree until smooth. Place in fridge until ready to use.
  • When meat is tender and shreds easily, remove and shred on a cutting board. Discard the fat and remaining juices in the pot.
  • Place shredded pork back in the crock pot (no need to wash) along with the sauce. Stir together and cook on low for 1.5 hours. Remove the lid and cook on high for 30 minutes so the sauce can thicken.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
Nutrition Facts
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
Amount Per Serving
Calories 364 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 119mg40%
Sodium 471mg20%
Potassium 778mg22%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 27g30%
Protein 45g90%
Vitamin A 273IU5%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 31mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @GarnishandGlaze on Instagram and use hashtag #GarnishandGlaze

Related topics:
Mexican Pork Slow Cooker

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    August 24, 2020 at 10:12 pm

    This looks so good and easy! I love a good pork recipe that’s so versatile!

    Tiffany
    Phlanx’s Marketing Specialist

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      September 5, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      Thank you Tiffany! I love having a versatile recipe so I can eat it multiple times but not get bored.

      Reply

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Hey There, I'm Melanie!

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I am a wife, mother of three little girls, and a chocolate addict. I love baking (and eating!) sweets, but I balance it out with healthy meals.

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