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    Home » Instant Pot Freezer Meals » Instant Pot Café Rio Sweet Pork

    Instant Pot Café Rio Sweet Pork

    Published: Jan 18, 2022 · Modified: May 19, 2022 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Best Instant Pot Café Rio sweet pork recipe! This copycat sweet pork recipe makes a great filling for tacos or burritos. Also great in a salad, on a tostada, or in nachos!

    Cafe rio sweet pork in a grey bowl.

    I’ve been making copycat versions of Café Rio’s sweet pork in the crock pot for years. When the Instant Pot came along, it was the perfect way to make a faster copycat version of Café Rio’s sweet pork.

    This recipe is really simple, and everything cooks right in one pot. The sweet pork is super tender and flavorful, and it makes a great filling for tacos, burritos, and more!

    HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT CAFÉ RIO SWEET PORK

    pork pieces in an instant pot inner potCut the pork into 6 large chunks. Place the pork into the inner pot.

    Stir together the spice rub ingredients. Rub the spices over the pork.

    uncooked pork in an instant pot inner potPour water into the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot. Close and lock the lid.

    Turn the pressure release valve to SEALING. Press MANUAL high pressure and adjust the time to 50 minutes.

    When the cooking time has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes. Carefully turn the pressure release valve to VENTING to release any remaining pressure.

    Discard the cooking liquid.

    shredded pork in an instant pot inner potShred the pork. Return to the empty inner pot.

    Add the brown sugar, Dr Pepper, chiles, and enchilada sauce to the inner pot. Stir together.

    shredded cafe rio pork in sauce

    Return the shredded pork to the pot, and stir to coat in sauce.

    Grey dish with cafe rio pork and two forks in it.

    TIPS

    • Pork butt: A similar cut of pork, like boneless pork shoulder, will also work.
    • Spice rub: The spice rub gives the pork flavor but doesn’t add heat.
    • Brown sugar: The sauce is meant to be sweet. However, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to taste.
    • Dr Pepper: I like to use Dr Pepper in this recipe, but you could substitute Coca Cola if you prefer.
    • Green chiles: I use mild green chiles.
    • Enchilada sauce: I use a mild red enchilada sauce.
    • Make it spicy: The original sweet pork isn’t spicy. However, if you would like to add some heat, you can increase the amount of chili powder, use a hot green chile, use a medium or hot enchilada sauce, or do all three!
    • Serving suggestions: I have several serving ideas just below.
    Close up photo of shredded cafe rio sweet pork in a dish.

    WHAT TO SERVE WITH CAFÉ RIO PORK

    This pork makes a great filling for tacos and burritos. It also makes a great topping for tostadas, nachos, or burrito salad.

    My favorite way to serve it is in a burrito salad. To make a burrito salad, layer cilantro lime rice and black beans, sweet pork, and lots of lettuce. I top the salad with pico de gallo, guacamole, and queso fresco, and I serve it with a lime dressing.

    Make it a freezer meal

    To freeze

    To make this pork as a freezer meal, cut the pork into chunks as-directed. Mix together the spice rub ingredients.

    Rub the spice mixture onto the pork pieces. Place the coated pork pieces into a resealable freezer-safe container. Seal and freeze.

    To use

    Thaw the pork in the refrigerator. Add the thawed pork to the inner pot. Continue with the recipe as-written beginning with step 5.

    Dish of cafe rio pork next to wooden plates and a bowl of cilantro.

    STORAGE

    Fridge

    This pork will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Freezer

    It also freezes well. If you would like to freeze it, cook it as directed.

    Cool to room temperature. Portion the shredded pork and sauce in a freezer-safe container.

    Bowl of cafe rio sweet pork on a wooden cutting board

    More Instant Pot pork recipes!

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    • Tacos al pastor in a stoneware bowl.
      Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor
    • Cuban pork sandwich on a piece of brown parchment paper.
      Instant Pot Cuban Pork

    If you’ve tried this Instant Pot Café Rio sweet pork recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

    You can FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST or FACEBOOK even more delicious food.

    Instant Pot Café Rio Sweet Pork

    Easy Instant Pot Café Rio Sweet Pork copycat recipe!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Pressure Release: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 232kcal
    Author: Kate at Eating in an Instant

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot/Electric Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 4 ½ pounds boneless pork butt

    Spice Rub

    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

    Sauce

    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 12 ounces Dr Pepper
    • 4 ounces canned green chiles
    • 16 ounces red enchilada sauce

    Instructions

    • Cut the pork into 6 large chunks.
    • Place the pork into the inner pot.
    • Stir together the spice rub ingredients.
    • Rub the spices over the pork.
    • Pour water around the pork into the bottom of the Instant Pot inner pot.
    • Close and lock the lid.
    • Turn the pressure release valve to SEALING.
    • Press MANUAL high pressure and adjust the time to 50 minutes.
    • When the cooking time has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes.
    • Carefully turn the pressure release valve to VENTING to release any remaining pressure.
    • Discard the cooking liquid.
    • Shred the pork. Return to the empty inner pot.
    • Add the brown sugar, Dr Pepper, chiles, and enchilada sauce to the inner pot.
    • Stir together.
    • Return the shredded pork to the pot, and stir to coat in sauce.

    Notes

    • Pork butt: A similar cut of pork, like boneless pork shoulder, will also work.
    • Spice rub: The spice rub gives the pork flavor but doesn't add heat. 
    • Brown sugar: The sauce is meant to be sweet. However, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to taste.
    • Dr Pepper: I like to use Dr Pepper in this recipe, but you could substitute Coca Cola if you prefer. 
    • Green chiles: I use mild green chiles. 
    • Enchilada sauce: I use a mild red enchilada sauce. 
    • Make it spicy: The original sweet pork isn't spicy. However, if you would like to add some heat, you can increase the amount of chili powder, use a hot green chile, use a medium or hot enchilada sauce, or do all three!
    • Serving suggestions: I have several serving ideas above the recipe.
    • Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 440mg | Potassium: 465mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 269IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave me a comment below to let me know!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ruby

      January 20, 2022 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      I’m another Cafe Rio fan. Love this pork and it’s so much faster with the instant pot. 🎉

      Reply
      • Kate

        January 20, 2022 at 8:23 pm

        Thank you! I'm so glad that you liked it!

        Reply
        • Sarah

          February 03, 2022 at 9:03 pm

          5 stars
          Love this! It’s a new favorite.

          Reply
          • Kate

            February 04, 2022 at 3:08 am

            Thank you!

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