I am helping with a youth church fundraiser on Cinco de Mayo and we are making a Cafe Rio taco bar with this Sweet Pork as the star – because it’s center stage delicious. This recipe is on oldie but goodie so I thought it was time to republish new photos and add some tips and trick. As you can read by the reviews, this is a beloved recipe by many and is even my mom’s favorite recipe to make for entertaining (even served to Elder Holland) and I ‘m sure it’s soon to be a new family favorite of yours too!
Cafe Rio Sweet Pulled Pork Recipe
Cafe Rio calls their Sweet Pork Barbacoa, “Our signature dish. Our crowning achievement. Our recipe royale!” If you have eaten at Cafe Rio, you’ve tasted exactly what they are talking about and why the small restaurant chain has a loyal following willing to drive hours to taste the juicy, flavorful, saucy, sweet and spicy sweet pork. I wanted to do their sweet pork recipe justice so in preparation for this recipe, I looked up dozens of Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipes online and was surprised that all of them either added hardly any spice (like ¼ teaspoon garlic powder) or no spices all together. Cafe Rios “signature blend of spices,” however, is crucial to the authentic taste of this recipe, so I’ve perfected the blend and now we have the perfect Cafe Rio Sweet Pork, in my humble opinion. But don’t be afraid, this pork is not spicy, just exploding with flavorful. I actually added hot sauce to mine but it was perfect for my parents.
how to Make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
I love making Mexican meats in my crock pot from my Mexican Chicken, to my Beef Barbacoa to my Carnitas, and this Cafe Rio Sweet Pork is no exception. It simmers low and slow all day, filling your home with its tantalizing aroma so come dinner time, you have endless possibilities to serve its juicy deliciousness. Here are a few tips and tricks to make your Chipotle Sweet Pulled Pork a runaway success:
Sear Meat: When searing, the pork will naturally release from the pan once it is properly seared. If it is sticking to the bottom of the pan, it is most likely needs more time. It will take 2-5 minutes per side and longer if using a nonstick pan.Do I have to sear the meat? As Gordon Ramsey says, “color = flavor.” Searing the meat creates the Maillard reaction resulting in rich, deep, complex flavor which cannot be achieved in any other way. It also helps the inside of the meat from drying out. You can skip this step, and your pork will still be good – just not as good.Spice Rub: After we sear the meat, we rub it with our spice rub. Instead of rubbing oil all over the meat, simply ladle some of the leftover juices/oil in the pan from searing. If you skip searing your pork, you will need to rub it with some olive oil first so the spices stick.
Sear Meat: When searing, the pork will naturally release from the pan once it is properly seared. If it is sticking to the bottom of the pan, it is most likely needs more time. It will take 2-5 minutes per side and longer if using a nonstick pan.Do I have to sear the meat? As Gordon Ramsey says, “color = flavor.” Searing the meat creates the Maillard reaction resulting in rich, deep, complex flavor which cannot be achieved in any other way. It also helps the inside of the meat from drying out. You can skip this step, and your pork will still be good – just not as good.Spice Rub: After we sear the meat, we rub it with our spice rub. Instead of rubbing oil all over the meat, simply ladle some of the leftover juices/oil in the pan from searing. If you skip searing your pork, you will need to rub it with some olive oil first so the spices stick.
HOW TO MAKE PULLED PORK AHEAD OF TIME
You can make this pork mostly the day before if that’s easier and then you don’t have to worry about cooking times and it turns out just as good – or better. I use this method often and is my preferred method for meats that take particularly long like my Beef Brisket. If making ahead, make the Sweet Pork Recipe through step 5 in which you shred the pork into large sections. After you do this, let your slow cooker sit at room temperature for a bit so the crockpot ceramic insert can cool down and then cover and place ceramic insert into fridge (PORK AND ALL THE LIQUID). The next day, skim off the hardened fat from the top and heat on LOW for about 1- 1 ½ hours to heat through, then continue with the rest of the recipe as written.
What to Make with Cafe Rio Sweet Pulled Pork
There are soooo many options when it comes to this Slow Cooker Chipotle Sweet Pulled Pork. I’m going to start with items directly off of the Cafe Rio Menu because they made the menu for a reason:
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad: Layer a large burrito size tortilla with cheese and melt. Top with black or pinto beans, cilantro lime rice, sweet pork, and romaine lettuce. Top with Pico de Gallo, guacamole, salsa tortilla strips, cilantro, cotija cheese and Tomatillo Avocado Ranch or leave out the Avocado and make it Tomatillo Ranch.Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Burrito: Layer a burrito size tortilla with cilantro lime rice or Mexican Rice, black or pinto beans, cheese, sweet pulled pork, then baked in an oven. Serve with your favs of pico de gallo, romaine lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, homemade salsa, salsa verde. etc.Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Enchiladas: Fill corn tortillas with layers of cheese and sweet pork and topped with red or green enchilada sauce and cheese and bake.Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Tacos: Pile a flour tortilla with sweet pork, Mexican cheese, lettuce and serve with your favs of pico de gallo, romaine lettuce, guacamole, sour cream. etc.Cafe Rio Sweet Pork quesadillas: Layer a burrito size tortilla with Mexican cheese and sweet pork and grill until golden, cheesy perfection. Serve with your favs of pico de gallo, romaine lettuce, guacamole, sour cream. etc.Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Tostada: Layer a A corn tortilla with sweet pork, cilantro lime rice, black or pinto beans, romaine lettuce, pico de gallo, tortilla strips, cilantro, sour cream, and cotija cheese. Drizzle with Tomatillo (Avocado) Ranch.Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Nachos: Pile thick restaurant style tortilla chips with Mexican cheeses or chile con queso, sweet pork, black or pinto beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, and fresh guacamole.
No matter how you choose to serve your Cafe Rio Sweet Pork they all will taste AMAZING because they include this pork!
LOOKING FOR MORE PORK RECIPES?
Slow Cooker Asian Caramel Pulled PorkBest BBQ Pulled PorkTacos Al PastorSalsa Verde Pork FajitasSlow Cooker Pulled Pork Sloppy JoesSheet Pan Chili Dijon Pork Tenderloin with Green Beans and Potatoes
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