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Our family is in love with Cafe Rio sweet pork. Doesn’t matter what it’s in, we will eat it. So in order to help feed our addiction and save some money, I have been on the hunt to try to find a recipe that tastes similar.
I don’t think I’ll ever get it exactly the same, but I thought, if I could get close, I’d be doing good. So I tried several recipes and nothing was even close. I finally found one from a fellow PYPer on pinchingyourpennies.com that was good. I altered the recipe slightly and came up with a winner. That is where Laura’s version of Cafe Rio sweet pork was born.
We usually have it on taco, but beware it is messy. You better use a fork if you are going for taco. Burritos would be great for this also. We’ve even put it on nachos or in a quesadilla.
Laura’s Version of Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
Ingredients
- 2–3 lb pork roast
- 1 can of Coke (not diet)
- 1 can enchilada sauce
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 small can diced green chilies
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Place pork roast in a gallon sized Ziploc bag. Add in the Coke and allow to marinade over night.
- Place the roast along with the marinade and cook until very tender (about 8 hours on low). Drain off any liquid after cooking.
- Shred pork and mix in the enchilada sauce, garlic, green chilies, and brown sugar.Then cook for 30 min to one more hour in the slow cooker. Serve in a taco, burrito, salad, or quesadilla. Serves 6-8
Notes
Since making this, I have discovered a way that I like to make this even more. In place of the the enchilada sauce I use a packet of enchilada sauce, 1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce. Then I add in a little Coke(start with 1/4 cup) to add moisture to the mixture.
This is excellent made ahead of time and kept in the freezer for a quick dinner.
This is the original photo from this post. The above photo was updated in April 2015.
18 comments
[…] Laura’s Sweet Pork […]
[…] is a recipe I have made for years. I found the original recipe at Real Mom Kitchen not long after I started blogging, so it has been eight […]
So, when you say you put in a little coke, you don’t use the whole can as specified in the original recipe then? What is considered a little? 1/4 c, 1/8 c.?
[…] Cafe Rio Sweet Pork […]
[…] https://www.realmomkitchen.com/12/lauras-version-of-cafe-rio-sweet-pork/ […]
[…] comes from Prudence Pennywise. My family loves Mexican food and we love the recipe I have for Cafe Rio Sweet Pork. So sweet chicken sounded equally tasty. I’m also always up for a good recipe made in my slow […]
Just wondering if you use red or green enchilada sauce and what size of can
This is soooo good! I made it for a party and it was a huge hit! People are still asking for it!
[…] beans, and meat. I’m a big fan of their sweet pork, so when I found the copycat recipe over at Real Mom Kitchen I had to test it […]
Do you use red or green enchilada sauce??
Did you use red or green enchilada sauce and what size. The sauce that is available at our store comes in a really large and regular size can.
Thanks!
What size can of enchilada sauce do you use?
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[…] Cafe Rio Sweet Pork […]
Sorry, I'm suprised that wasn't pointed out to me sooner. Sorry it's green chilies.
in the ingredients you said "1 can diced green" but I think you're missing the last word or two. Diced green peppers?
I always just buy whatever is on sale. You can even use boneless ribs or chops too. You can do a roast with or without the bone. I prefer without the bone. That way you don't miss of piece of bone by accident.
What type of pork roast is the best to use.
Also with or without bone?