If you’ve ever been to Cafe Rio, you know their Sweet Pork Barbacoa is legendary. Juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor, this shredded pork is the heart of their burritos, salads, tacos, and enchiladas. The perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory makes it unforgettable.
The good news? You don’t need to stand in line at Cafe Rio to enjoy it. With this Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe, you can recreate the magic at home. It’s surprisingly simple to make, and the slow-cooked pork will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The background of Cafe Rio’s famous sweet pork
- Ingredients you’ll need
- Step-by-step cooking instructions (slow cooker + Instant Pot methods)
- Tips for perfect flavor and texture
- Creative ways to use your sweet pork in meals
- Make-ahead, storage, and freezing tips
Let’s dive in!
What Makes Cafe Rio Sweet Pork So Special?
Unlike traditional barbacoa, Cafe Rio’s pork has a sweet and tangy twist. The pork is slow-cooked until fall-apart tender, then simmered in a sauce made with:
- Brown sugar (for sweetness)
- Tomato sauce (for depth and tang)
- Green chilies (for mild heat)
- Cola or Dr Pepper (for caramelized flavor)
This combination gives the pork its signature taste — bold, yet perfectly balanced.
Ingredients for Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe
To recreate the authentic flavor at home, gather the following ingredients:
- 4–5 lbs boneless pork shoulder (pork butt works best)
- 2 cups cola or Dr Pepper (not diet — you want the real sugar for flavor)
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed
- 1 (10 oz) can mild enchilada sauce
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional for serving: tortillas, rice, beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Pork
- Cut your pork shoulder into large chunks (about 4–6 pieces).
- Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place into a slow cooker (or Instant Pot if using pressure cooking method).
Step 2: First Cook
- Pour 1 cup cola over the pork.
- Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours (slow cooker).
- If using an Instant Pot, cook on Manual/Pressure Cook for 65 minutes, natural release for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Shred the Pork
- Once the pork is tender, remove it from the pot.
- Shred with two forks until finely pulled.
Step 4: Make the Sweet Sauce
In a blender, combine:
- Brown sugar
- Enchilada sauce
- Green chilies
- Tomato sauce
- 1 cup cola
- Apple cider vinegar
- Spices
Blend until smooth.
Step 5: Simmer Pork in Sauce
- Return shredded pork to the slow cooker/Instant Pot.
- Pour sauce over pork and stir until fully coated.
- Cook on LOW for 30–60 minutes (or use the Instant Pot sauté function for 10 minutes).
Now you have the ultimate Cafe Rio Sweet Pork ready to serve!
Tips for Perfect Sweet Pork
- Use pork shoulder (butt) – It’s marbled with fat and breaks down into melt-in-your-mouth shreds. Lean cuts like tenderloin will be too dry.
- Don’t skip the soda – Cola or Dr Pepper adds caramelized sweetness and depth. Root beer works too, but avoid diet sodas.
- Make extra sauce – This pork absorbs sauce like a sponge, so a little extra is always welcome.
- Adjust sweetness – Cafe Rio’s pork is sweet. If you prefer less sugar, reduce the brown sugar by ¼–½ cup.
- Meal prep friendly – Make a big batch and use it all week for tacos, bowls, salads, and sandwiches.
Ways to Serve Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
One of the best parts about this recipe is its versatility. Here are some ideas:
1. Sweet Pork Burritos
Fill a large tortilla with cilantro lime rice, beans, pork, and cheese. Smother with enchilada sauce and melted cheese.
2. Sweet Pork Salad
Layer romaine lettuce, rice, beans, pork, pico de gallo, guacamole, tortilla strips, and creamy tomatillo dressing.
3. Sweet Pork Tacos
Top corn tortillas with pork, onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
4. Sweet Pork Quesadillas
Sandwich shredded pork and cheese between tortillas, then grill until golden brown.
5. Sweet Pork Nachos
Pile tortilla chips high with pork, cheese, beans, salsa, and jalapeños.
6. Sweet Pork Sandwiches
Serve pork on a toasted bun with coleslaw for a twist on BBQ pulled pork.
Make Ahead, Storage & Freezing
- Make Ahead: You can cook the pork 1–2 days ahead. Store shredded pork and sauce separately, then reheat together.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze shredded pork with sauce in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a skillet or slow cooker.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 14g
- Sugar: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
(Note: Values vary based on serving size and toppings used.)
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe
This dish is a crowd-pleaser every single time. Whether you’re feeding your family on a weeknight, meal-prepping for busy days, or hosting a party, this sweet pork recipe delivers. It’s tender, flavorful, and versatile enough to use in countless meals.
Once you make it at home, you might even prefer it over the restaurant version — because you can customize the sweetness, spice, and sauce to your taste.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been craving the famous Cafe Rio Sweet Pork, this recipe is your ticket to enjoying it anytime you want, without leaving home. With just a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker or Instant Pot, you’ll have a dish that rivals the original.
Whether you’re serving it in burritos, tacos, or salads, this Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular in your meal rotation!