Cafe Rio’s Sweet Barbacoa Pork
Cafe Rio’s Sweet Barbacoa Pork is one of our favorite Mexican meals! We love it in burritos, tacos, and on salads!
Cafe Rio’s Sweet Barbacoa Pork
(originally posted 2008)
Living on the east coast I go through major Cafe Rio withdrawls. Cafe Rio is a famous Mexican restaurant in Utah. They’re known for their consistently good food.
Back in our Provo days my husband and I would sometimes do a double header: Cafe Rio then Tracy’s Peanut Butter Cup at Leatherbys.
The double header always sent me into a food induced coma afterwards and I would fall asleep at my computer at school (I was a Computer Science major). Please Cafe Rio people, come franchise out here.
You would make some major money – if not from me alone!!
I have tried a bunch of copycat recipes to get my “fix” but this combo of Cafe Rio dishes is my favorite. You can make a lot of it ahead of time so it’s great for get togethers. In fact, we usually make this ahead of time and bring it to Lake Powell for one of our dinners. It’s always one of our favorite meals.
Now I believe the whisperings say that the real Cafe Rio Pork is made with Coke. Guess what. I’ve tried both and this version is still my favorite.
OTHER CAFE RIO RECIPES:
OTHER MEXICAN RECIPES
- No-Fry Fried Ice Cream
- Churro Cream Puffs
- Mexican Stuffed Shells
- One-Pan Chicken Fajita Rice
- Baked Chicken Chimichangas
- Creamy Caramel Apple Taquitos
- Beef Enchilada Dip
- Horchata
Cafe Rio’s Sweet Barbacoa Pork
This Cafe Rio's Sweet Barbacoa Pork is one of our favorite Mexican meals! We love Cafe Rio's Sweet Barbacoa Pork in burritos, tacos, and on salads!
Ingredients
- 7-8 lbs. boneless pork butt or shoulder (make a 3-4 lb pork roast if you are just doing your family)
- 4 cups root beer
- 5 (8oz) cans tomato sauce
- 4 Tablespoons molasses or honey (molasses gives a darker color)
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 - 3 cups brown sugar
- pepper to taste
- 4 teaspoons cumin
Instructions
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Salt and pepper the pork and cook in crock pot 8 hours or overnight on low in a little water or extra root beer. In the morning remove the roast from the crockpot and pull apart with fork, removing fat. Drain all the water in the crockpot. Don't overshred the pork or it will turn mushy. This part can be done well in advance.
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Add the rest of the ingredients to the crockpot and add the shredded pork. Stir to combine. Cook another 3-4 hours in crockpot on low. Serve with a slotted spoon.
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Traditionally this meat is served over a salad or in a burrito.
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To make a Cafe Rio salad layer: tortilla (I warm mine in aluminum pans like cafe rio in the oven with cheese), cheese, Cilantro Lime Rice , Black or Pinto Beans, Pork, chopped Romaine or green leaf lettuce, sprinkle tortilla strips on top, and grated Parmesan cheese
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Serve with sides of: Pico de Gallo , Guacamole , fresh cilantro, fresh lime slices, drizzle with Creamy Tomatillo Dressing .
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Instant Pot instructions: Salt and pepper the pork. Add 2 cups of root beer or other liquid. Cook on high pressure for 50-60 minutes. Let pressure release naturally. Shred and remove fat. Continue to step 2 using the slow cooker option or sautee option until pork is warm and flavors have combined.
Recipe Notes
Recipe Note: The above sauce makes enough sauce for up to a 10 lb roast! So if you have a 3-4 lb pork roast, half the sauce.
This freezes well!
Source: a mix between Martha McMullin's and Sheri Denney's recipes.
It’s funny that I found this because my mom is a general manager for Cafe Rio here in Palmdale California. Personally I’m not a fan of the pork but my mom said a lot of people love it and it’s a big seller there.
Ha she could probably give us the real recipe!
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As I was scrolling through your comments, Lake Powell caught my eye! Since I live in Page and am looking at the lake as I type this, I will definitely give this a try. It looks delicious and I will report back!
What a beautiful place. We go every year!
I need to only make for family. Hoe do I amend the cooling times.
You can reduce the amount of pork but you will have to cook it for the same amount of time.
I believe that the barbacoa is actually made with dr. Pepper the shredded beef is made from Coke.
I’ve never heard that theory. Hmm
This is SO yummy! I actually really love the root beer flavor in it, which surprised me. Oh, and if you can get your hands on cotija cheese, that’s the crumbly cheese they top the salads with… it’s very Parmesan-like.
Yes, I love Cotija and adds great flavor.
Hey! So we take a vacation once a year to SLC. Cafe Rio’s has been a staple on our visits. I dream about their pork. I found your recipe and have been thrilled with the results. It is SO great! The last time I made it, I forgot to buy regular ginger ale. I did have a local ginger ale (Buffalo Rock) and I decided to use it instead. It was absolutely SPOT ON. It is a must try!!
Really? Ooh I will have to try that!
I love your recipe blog! Can’t wait to try this recipe. When you prepare this ahead of time to take to Lake Powell, do you freeze it or refrigerate it? How do you reheat it? I’m cooking for a crowd next weekend and would like to do as much as possible ahead of time. Thanks!
You should freeze it in freezer bags. Then you can thaw in the fridge the day before and reheat in the crockpot. You might need to add some more liquid.
I’m so glad I came across your blog. I’m an Idahoin living on the eastcoast now and missed cafe rio barbacoa burrito. Now I came make them at home.
Awesome. I miss Cafe Rio too!