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August 12, 2013

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Burritos, Cilantro Lime Rice and Blackbeans

Whenever I visit Utah, I always have to make at least one pit stop to Cafe Rio.  Have you heard of it?  They serve incredible sweet pork burritos and salads.  I seriously crave it all the time, and I envy those people who are lucky enough to have one nearby.  🙂

I found this recipe for Sweet Pork, Cilantro/Lime Rice, and blackbeans a while back and made it, hoping it would satisfy my craving since I can’t travel hundreds of miles to get the real deal whenever I get the itching.  Well-it lived up to the hype, and that’s why I’m sharing it today.  I don’t think any copy-cat recipe could fully match up to the actual “Cafe Rio Burrito”, but this comes pretty darn close.  And we don’t mind eating it for 3 days after, either.  In fact-we look forward to it (which is saying something coming from me-a loather of leftovers).

The key to the pork’s tenderness is the overnight marination in coke and slow cooking it on a low heat.  It’s a must-do.  Trust me-I’ve tried to abbreviate the marinating process and cooking it on high and it’s still good, but not nearly as good.

The cilantro/lime rice is unique, yet a perfect compliment to the pork and black beans.  Melt a little cheese on top, and these burritos are to die for.

 

 
{CAFE RIO SWEET PORK}
Slightly adapted from Favorite Family Recipes
2 pounds pork (we use a large pork loin from Costco, but boneless pork rib meat also works)
3 cans Coke (NOT diet)
1/4 c. brown sugar
dash garlic salt
1/4 c. water
1 can sliced green chilies
3/4 of a 10 oz. can red enchilada sauce (We use mild spiciness, but any will work)
1 c. brown sugar

Put the pork in a heavy duty Ziploc bag to marinade.  Add about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 c. of brown sugar.  Each coke can=about 1 1/2 c., if you’ll be using the liter size.  Marinade for a few hours or overnight.

Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crockpot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don’t let it get too dry) or on low for 8 hours.  Remove pork from crockpot and drain any liquid left in the pot.  Shred pork.

In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can of coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste).

Put shredded pork and sauce in crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours.  That’s it!

 

{CILANTRO/LIME RICE}
2 c. uncooked rice (long-grain, white rice)
1 tsp. butter or margarine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 can (15 oz.) chicken broth
1 cup water
1 T. freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tsp. sugar
3 T. fresh chopped cilantro

In a saucepan, combine rice, butter, garlic, 1 t. lime, chicken broth and water.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender.  Remove from heat.  While rice is cooking, combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro in a small bowl.  Pour over hot cooked rice and mix in as you fluff the rice.  Rice will be very moist.

 

{BLACK BEANS}
2 T. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 c. tomato juice or tomato sauce
1/4 t. salt
2 T. fresh chopped cilantro

In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it.  Add beans, tomato juice or sauce, and salt.  Continually stir until heated through.  Just before serving, stir in the cilantro.  (You can also add a can of drained corn to the beans.  Even though it’s not “traditional Cafe Rio”, it’s awesome!)

**The secret to a flavorful, moist meat is to marinate it the night before and then to let the shredded meat cook in the enchilada sauce/coke mixture for the full two hours prior to serving.  Don’t skip or abbreviate these steps, if at all possible!

——-

To make your burrito, grab a tortilla, add a generous helping of pork, some rice and black beans, then roll up and enjoy!

Filed Under: Recipes, Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    August 12, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    We make this exact recipe all the time and we LOVE it! Jeremy always requests it and it really is so easy to make.
  2. Cindy Jamieson says

    August 13, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    I really need to make this recipe, it looks amazing! Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
  3. Mandy Beyeler says

    August 14, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts - you were featured today!
    --Mandy, SugarBeeCrafts.com
  4. Val Young says

    August 15, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Never would have thought to use pork. Sounds good
  5. Valerie Conrad says

    August 15, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    My mom did a similar sweet pork for us the last time they visited. It was delicious. I will have to try this sometime very soon.
  6. Allison {A Glimpse Inside} says

    August 16, 2013 at 5:10 am

    I am sure many people will love this! I never tried the sweet port when I have been to Cafe Rio.
    Thanks so much for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse party! I'll be featuring this tomorrow.
  7. Wanda Ann Olsen says

    August 16, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Christine,
    Thank you for sharing at Tuesday Trivia. Can I say, "How did you know?" Café Rio is one of my favorite places to eat, I always take company there. This is exactly what I order too! Can't wait to make it. Pinned and featured it today at http://www.memoriesbythemile.com/
    Have a great weekend.
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
  8. Phat Quarters says

    August 21, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    Yummy! I CANNOT wait to try this recipe! thanks for sharing! I found you via 36th Ave
  9. cooking with curls says

    August 22, 2013 at 5:16 am

    I do not have a Cafe Rio, or most other restaurants for that matter! They look delicious. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing at Best of the Weekend! Pinning to our party board. Have a great week and please join us next Friday.
  10. Krista Low says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    I am sooo going to have to try this out! Darn, I'll just have to go buy some coke! I'm thinking dinner tonight! Krista @ A Handful of Everything
  11. Naikia Green says

    August 25, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    Making this now! Cant wait to see what it taste like!
  12. Shauna Smart says

    August 29, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    Thank you so much for linking up at The Weekend re-Treat on The Best Blog Recipes! You're post will be featured at tonight's party :)

    Shauna
    http://thebestblogrecipes.com/

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Hi! I'm Christine, and I'm addicted to Pinterest! I love sharing creative "pin"-spiration by way of delicious recipes, fun crafts, party ideas, and DIY projects. I hope you'll stop by often!

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