Sweet Pork (No Soda)

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If you live in Utah or have ever visited, you’ve likely heard of or tried Cafe Rio or Costa Vida. There is even a Cafe Rio located in the Salt Lake City airport! These restaurants are famous for their Sweet Pork which you can get in burritos, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, salads, and on top of nachos. It is a fan favorite!

For those of you who don’t have a Cafe Rio or Costa Vida nearby or would like to try making it in your own home, this is our version of Sweet Pork! Most sweet pork recipes use brown sugar and a can of soda, usually Coke, but we feel we were able to create a recipe that is just as tasty without the soda and with using a little less sugar as well. We use a slow cooker/crock pot to ensure the meat stays tender and soaks in all the flavor. We appreciate that it’s something you can throw in the slow cooker in the morning and have ready by dinner time with minimal preparation. Let’s dive into the how-to below!

What ingredients do you need?

Pork tenderloin

We prefer to use pork tenderloin in this recipe. It is a leaner cut compared to other boneless pork roasts (such as pork shoulder/butt) and is one of the most tender cuts when it comes to pork options. It is typically a little more expensive than other options, so if you prefer a less expensive boneless pork roast, that will work as well! 

Chicken broth and juice from one lime

The pork tenderloin will start by cooking in the chicken broth and lime juice. The chicken broth provides the moisture needed to cook in the slow cooker and also gives additional flavor over water. The lime juice also provides flavor, but the acid also helps to tenderize the meat while cooking. 

Minced garlic

We love the addition of minced garlic here to really up the flavor! You can mince your own garlic from whole garlic cloves, purchase a jar of minced garlic, or purchase minced garlic that has been frozen in cubes (you can find these in several stores, such as Trader Joe’s, Target, and Walmart). 

Diced green chiles

You will need a 4 oz can of diced green chiles for this recipe. The diced green chiles add a great flavor to the pork, so don’t skip out on this ingredient!

Red enchilada sauce

Any kind of red enchilada sauce will do! Just make sure you get a 20 oz can (this is bigger than a standard-sized can). If you need this recipe to be gluten-free, ensure that you select a gluten-free enchilada sauce such as the Siete brand.

Brown sugar and salt

The brown sugar is what makes this pork “sweet”. We have tested this recipe with light brown sugar, but if you have dark brown sugar on hand that should work as well. When comparing this recipe to other sweet pork recipes out there, you will likely find that this recipe uses less sugar. We promise that it won’t compromise the flavor! Add a little salt and you will have the perfect salty-sweet balance. 

What equipment do I need?

All you will need is the following:

• Slow Cooker/Crockpot
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener
• Two forks for shredding the pork

How do I make this sweet pork?

Start by cutting the pork tenderloin into three pieces (about 4-6 inches in length). This will help make the strands of shredded pork shorter and easier to eat once cooked. 

Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray. Add the pork tenderloin, chicken broth, and lime juice to the slow cooker. Let the pork cook for 4 hours on high.

After 4 hours and once the pork is cooked through, discard the extra liquid in the slow cooker, leaving only the pork. Using two forks, shred the pork until it is finely shredded. Feel free to discard any large, fatty pieces. Be patient here, finely shredded pork yields a better result!

Add the enchilada sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, and green chiles to a bowl or a blender. Mix or blend for 20 seconds until the mixture is well-combined.

Add the mixture to the slow cooker with the shredded pork. Let the pork continue to simmer for 2 more hours on low heat. If you’re in a time crunch, you can reduce this time. While this extra step may seem unnecessary, we have found that it makes a big difference in creating the tender, flavorful sweet pork we love! 

Anything else to consider?

If you are unable to use all of the pork in one meal, this sweet pork freezes very well! You can place the extra pork in a Ziploc bag or airtight container and place it in the freezer. When it’s time to use it again, you can pull it out of the freezer the night before and place it in the fridge to thaw. You can also microwave it to reheat it. We recommend using it within 2-3 months after being frozen. If you are storing the leftover pork in the fridge, we recommend consuming it within 3-4 days.

Is this sweet pork (GF/DF)?

Yes, this recipe is dairy-free! In order to make it gluten-free, ensure that you use a gluten-free red enchilada sauce such as the Siete brand.

How should I serve this sweet pork?

This sweet pork is very versatile! You can use it in burritos, tacos, enchiladas, taquitos, quesadillas, and tostadas, or use it to top a salad or nachos. We also love serving it with our Chipotle Copycat Cilantro Lime Rice and our Easy, Crowd-Favorite Guacamole. 

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If you make this Sweet Pork, please let us know how it turns out in the comments below and/or rate the recipe! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram to show us your finished product—it makes our day every time we see you trying the recipes we love!

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The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB Sweet Pork." 

The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.