This pork is the real deal! Cafe Rio Sweet Shredded Pork for Burritos 4.93 from 13 votes Prep: 5 mins Cook: 8 hrs Total: 8 hrs 5 mins Servings: 10 This sweet shredded pork tastes even BETTER than Cafe Rio, I promise! Is there anyway that you could still leave the old recipe up too? I think if I double it there should be enough. Thank you! Discard any large pieces of fat and then shred. When purchasing the shoulder cut pork, I ask my grocery butcher to trim it off, along with the thick piece of fat that accompanies it. Oh darnit! How long would it need to be in the oven for a 7lb pork roast? Im so glad youre trying this recipe, I know youll love it! Chopped pork. Here is the old recipe: Si. Hi Cristi! I love your variation and thanks for sharing, Joana! Si. -Use a canned red enchilada sauce. Would you recommend cooking all of it at once for a longer time, or cutting it into thirds and cooking only one piece for now? enchilada sauce can What brand of enchilada sauce do you prefer? We especially like it in quesidillas. Heather, Shred pork. We are still working on it, but we still havent found quite the right replacement. How much of the mix do I add for this recipe if it makes more than I need? My family loves it! Thats because it tastes so similar to the original. xo Every time I eat it, its like a warm homey feeling comes over me. Kamie, I had my doubts because the ingredients seem so random, but we love this recipe and have done it with and without marinade several times. Sprinkle the garlic salt and salt and pepper over the meat and cook on high for 6 hours. Yes, the onions will get quite dark, but its ok. Jennilyn, -Pork is marinated in Coke, full strength, not Diet Coke. Im so excited to try this. Thanks for another great one!! I have been a little intimidated by new recipes in my IP, but had a great cut of meat from a sale and thought I would give it a try. Drain marinade and put pork, can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but dont let it get TOO dry) or on low for 8 hours. It actually acts as a meat tenderizer in the recipe so dont leave it out. And youll wonder why. I made it in the crock pot on high with a 5 lb pork shoulder. xo The packet is at walmart in the Mexican food area. We have used it and it was pretty good but we are working on a new recipe since we cant find that cooking sauce anymore. Heat just until sauce boils and the meat is heated through, then turn the setting to keep warm mode. Si. Im happy to announce that I found a couple recipes and then put them up to the Taste Test Challenge! I couldnt find the old elpaso sauce packets so I ended up using a 10oz can of red enchilada sauce and adding an entire small head of crushed garlic to it. Double one of the recipes and the make one single recipe in the other. Making this recipe in the Instant Pot is so easy and delicious! 2 cups brown sugar In your tips it says to simmer pork with cut up yellow onions (later you suggest caramelizing the onions prior), serrano peppers and carrots and then discard the peppers and carrots. Rub with garlic salt and pour 2 cups of coke and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5-6. -Cook onions in a pan with oil until caramelized, add to cooked pork and enchilada sauce. xo When cool enough, pull any remaining visible fat off of meat and set aside. Please check back and let us know how long it took you to cook your 7 lb roast. My favorite homemade red enchilada sauce is found here. This is my favorite cafe rio pork recipe. boneless pork (carnitas, shoulder etc) 12 oz Coke (1 can) 1/4 cup brown sugar 10 oz. Shred the meat well, discarding large pieces of the fat pad. Are you marinating it in the Coke before you add the spices and brown in the Instant Pot? Or just the last 2 hours add the mixture? I am a homebody and especially love a night to myself to putter in the kitchen with a glass of wine. These items are bundled up in cheesecloth, tied off with string and throw into the dish with the food. We have spent YEARS, much like we did for the perfect Melt in Your Mouth Buttermilk Pancakes and The Very Best Banana Bread, searching out exactly how this pork is made. Thanks for asking! Thanks Madison! I havent tried this with frozen pork yet. Thanks for asking! This easy Pulled Pork recipe is made with pork shoulder (Boston pork butt), pantry spices and Cherry, Coke to tenderize the meat and then cooked in the oven, slow cooker or instant pot., Serve the spoon tender BBQ Pulled Pork in sandwiches, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, on pizza etc. SO GOOD! I made this last night for my family and we had missionaries over and everybody loved it- the leftovers are amazing too! I m making it again today. If Cafe Rio Sweet Pork is your family favorite, youre going to love this recipe! thank you si!!! Make sure the lid is set to the Sealing position. Warm in a slow oven or stovetop. We are still working on it too. i made this yesterday! Thank you for asking and for reading ABK! Just had to say thank you again! Thanks for this amazing recipe! So Ive beenexperimenting withdifferent versions and this one is the one we feel tastes closest to the real thing. Pour half of the seasoning mixture over the roast and rub it into the meat. Yay! Chill at least 1 hour or overnight. One of my favorite dishes to get there is their sweet pork. Thank you!! Let us know how it turns out! Hi! If youve ever been to Utah youve probably had Cafe Rio, specifically Cafe Rio Sweet Pork. This Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Copycat Recipe is the real deal. Cook on low for another 1.5 hours. I'm a creator, a card maker, and a day maker! -Simmer pork in a pan with cut up yellow onions, serrano peppers and chopped carrots. xo I know, I know. It is SO helpful to read about your experiences making this a few different ways and also your opinion about the best cut of meat and making ahead vs fresh! You can also use Boneless Pork Rib meat, which is basically the same thing as the shoulder, without the bone. I need to make this for 20-25 people. All the recipes are for a slow cooker and the coke is added to the pork about 6 hours after starting, then another two hours of cooking time. Seriously, made my day! XO I love Cafe Rio sweet pork, so I will definitely try this. Thanks for asking and for reading ABK, Thanks for the recipe! I make LOTS when I make it and freeze ittastes just as good when thawed! Have you made this and froze it for use later? I researched a lot of different recipes on the internet and Im glad I went with yours turns out its the best thanks again. The sweet pork also makes a perfect topping for nachos. Remove meat and shred. We love your recipes and your website! In general, 1 lb of pulled pork will feed 3 people, so you will probably want 30-35 lbs to feed 100 people. This recipe is the most spot on i have ever found. I followed the recipe to a T, also making the ABK homemade menudo dry rub and the ABK Homemade Enchilada Sauce for the simmering meat. Thanks for reading ABK. Served ot with spanish yellow rice and black beans. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Hope this helps . Thank you, Si! serving of beef provides 11 g of fat, with 4.5 g of saturated fat, while a 4 oz. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our family doesnt like pork, but we love the beef. Hello March! I am getting windy, but the Instant Pot version of CRP is amazing. I love using the IP to speed up what used to take hours to cook in a slow cooker or oven. I always hope my replies are seen, but Im never sure as spam loves to take my emails. Whether its from scratch or not, its a recipe. Cade and Carrian have three children and love to spend time together whether its vacationing or snuggled up on the couch for a good movie. Also, when you write oregano it is the ground oregano, not the leaves, right? For keto I subbed Dr. Pepper Zero for the coke, and Monkfruit brown sugar for the regular brown sugar. Soooo good. Mix the remaining 8 ounces of Coca-Cola, green chilies, enchilada sauce, and brown sugar in a blender or food processor. In a small bowl, mix about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. I always make a ton of this sweet pork so I can use it in multiple recipes throughout the week, I also find myself snacking on it straight out of the fridge. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Cant wait to try your recipe. Its a hit at any gathering! How to make Cafe Rio Sweet Pork in a slow cooker: Place the pork in the pot of your slow cooker. So glad you like! Enjoy using your Instant Pot! This unique cookbook guides the way through every step, including meal lists and easy-to-follow recipes, and features dollops of heartwarming family stories. Mariel, I was just freaking out wondering where my sweet pork recipe went! Thanks for reading ABK and thanks for your help. 1 packet sauce (no longer made) Cover with lid and cook on HIGH for about 3-4 hours. Add coke, water, garlic salt, onion salt, and chili powder. ), then just shred up the meat and add in the sauce. Maybe closer to 35lbs if you are feeding hungry lacrosse players! Can you please post or send me the old recipe? just a thought for those trying to watch their sugar intake. Do you serve this as a pulled pork sandwich on a bun or on a tortilla? I am doubling the recipe. Your email address will not be published. Cook, covered, on high for 6 hours OR on low for 8 hours. Do you think canned enchilada sauce would work instead of the cooking sauce? - Pork recipe is made with pork shoulder (Boston pork butt), pantry thanks for reading ABK Cover crock pot with lid and cook another 1 to 2 hours on low heat. I ordered my groceries online (including the pork roast) and when I got home from picking them up, I found a 20 pound roast! But for adults, 1/2 lb perversion (before adding the sauce). This was a hit in my house! Otherwise will try again when I have more time. Remove the lid, turn the heat up to high and cook for about 30 minutes until the sauce is . I planned and prepped, started the process and allotted for 8 hrs, as top of recipe states but did not realize until it was too late there was additional 2 hours. I have always marinated my pork the night before or for at least a couple hours, but if you forget or just dont have time go ahead and cook it without marinading it. i didnt continue to cook with sauce mixture but Im sure it would make the flavor more deep and perhaps a little thicker maybe? YESSS! Marinate in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. I have both a 6 nd 8 quart, I most often use the 6 quart unless Im cooking for a big crowd or cooking two dishes at once in the IP. The cook time was perfect. Add the 2 tablespoons of reserved spices, red enchilada sauce, brown sugar, green chiles and green salsa/enchilada sauce and stir/toss to combine. This will definitely be a staple meal in out home! It is great as a salad, burrito, or nachos. This pork look so saucy and delicious! I dont go longer than that as each week the flavor seems to fade a little in my opinion. I definitely saving this one! Hi Tara! Thanks Lori. Spray inside of a large crock pot with cooking spray. Im wanting to make this for a group of 20-25 people. Here, you can pin off of this link, http://www.pinterest.com/pin/157555686939072946/, Ive gone to three grocery stores and cant find el paso sauce packet WITH roasted garlic. Ok and lastly can you post a pics of the old paso sauce packet you used, I cant seem to find it at the local grocery store Thanks a lot!!!! Shred and toss well in sauce. Surprise! You can't go wrong! There are a lot of Sweet Pork (Cafe Rio Copycat) Recipes out there. My slow cooked method posted previously recommends marinating, but this recipe does not. I cant wait to try this!! I didnt have root beer so I used Dr. Pepper, also I added a little more brown sugar but I like things very sweet. He just loves it. Well, my answer is YES. Id love to know if this turned out well for you! I do love this recipe. So they do a fresh flour tortilla, a little cheese, cilantro rice (recipe is on my blog as well as the cafe rio tomatillo dressing), beans of choice, meat, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and the special dressing with crisp tortilla strips. Just made this today and no one in my family could wait a day to let it set. Hi, in step 10 it says to put the the remaining juice aside in a small bowl. I love seeing what you made. I forgot to take that out of the instructions. Do you live around a Kroger? The IP takes away much of the time normally spent in the slow cooking process, but remember the pot needs to come up to pressure, and the process takes a bit of time. I just love a good Sweet Pork Salad. Combine a can and a half of Coke with about a quarter cup of brown sugar. Prepare a large crock pot by spraying the inside with cooking spray. I made this for my daughter and I for a twist on regular tacos. The pork cooks for a long time in the slow cooker which makes the meat tender and easy to shred. {Plus, I sorta have an aversion to cooking with soda pop.}. Marinate for a few hours or overnight. Im glad you enjoyed the recipe, the IP makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing this, I cant wait to try it! I hope the store doesnt stop carrying them! Yes, I have a slow cooker or oven version of this recipe as well! If you dont have cheesecloth, dont stress! Just Clarification, do you cook it for 6 hours or 8-9 hours and then an additional 2 hours after adding the remaining ingredients? Si. Sweet pork is my favorite meat at Cafe Rio. Thanks again! Wondering if I could make this recipe in a crockpot-I dont have an instant pot. The pork is tender and juicy, with the perfect amount of sweetness. Si. I have had pork butt get tough before, and good results other times even cooking around the same amount of time with about the same size butt! Receive recipes straight to your inbox and be the first for new content! Weve perfected the Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Copycat Recipe! Ive tried another Cafe Rio sweet pork recipe, and yours definitely tastes more like the real deal!! Being a mother of 5, I love the simplicity and still great taste of it! Excellent! ), and happy to be watched over by 2 dogs. Thank you . . The best imitation of the caf rio pork recipe Ive tried! Thank you for such a great recipe!!!! . This was absolutely perfect! Place the seasoned pork roast into the slow cooker. it is super yummy. Made the recipe as directed, rolled it up into a burrito, covered it with some salsa verse and cheesebam. (so 8 hours total) . Apply nonstick cooking spray to the inside of the slow cooker. Hi Indigo! You can also use the meat in tacos, enchiladas or burritos. Thanks for sharing it. Si. Definitely a new go to! Fixed! Thanks for checking in on it, Stephanie! Pork and beef have about the same amount of protein, with beef being slightly higher, so really, it just depends on what youre looking for. Remove pork from marinade and place in a slow cooker along with half a can of coke, water, and garlic salt. Hi Truann, the homemade spice mix is the amount you need for the recipe, so you should use all of it. (It does not need to cover roast) Sprinkle evenly with garlic salt, salt and pepper. I love your blog and havent ever been disappointed! Hi Kathy! If you are in a hurry, skip this step and omit the oil in the pot. A pork loin or roast is going to be too lean and wont turn out exactly like Cafe Rio. Taste and adjust salt, if needed. Si. Yes, you can freeze the pork and sauce easily in gallon ziplock bags, remove from freezer in the morning, let thaw several hours and then heat on the stovetop or in a slow oven (300-325*) with foil wrapped over the pan. Let marinate for 3 hours or overnight. Si. Im actually so excited about this that Im going to make it as a crockpot freezer meal for my freezer exchange group, too! When we boiled it down (no pun intended) I found they used a cut of meat OTHER THAN the cuts I recommend. A bit disappointed but its still yummy. xo, Do I have to thaw my meat? It is heaven! For kids, Id recommend 1/3 lb per person if they are young. Wow Bonnie, how lucky are you! Place the pork loin in a crock pot and turn on to high heat. It was to die for. Im eating leftovers for lunch with my 5yo and 2yo and they also approve. While we dont have the actual recipe, we literally cannot taste a difference. We moved from Utah to Mississippi and its nowhere around! Cut off the meat and shred it. Its a tender pulled pork recipe with a coke or dr pepper sauce that Utah loves! I did try the sauce and it is tasty. Add the remaining ingredients and reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for 3 hours. We dont have Caf Rio where I am, so I have nothing to compare to, but it sounds like a great combo. I cant find that sauce packet. I have a 5 pound, bone-in pork shoulder. Hey Holly! It is on their must-eat list when they come back to visit every single time. Here is the Sweet Pork Recipe that was a favorite among 50% of the judges! I have an 8 quart instant pot. SO, Ive been searching for a good recipe for sweet pork that didnt have cola in the ingredient list. Si. Any progress on a new recipe? First off, bouquet garni is pronounced exactly how it looks, so dont get hung up on that! And I will link up to the other cola-free Sweet Pork recipe as soon as I get permission! There are many different cuts of pork sold in the grocery store and at big box stores, such as Costco. Well, Ive tried my fair share of these recipes in the pastbut since I strongly dislike colas (yes, all of them) I found that I did not like those recipes that included them! -Thicken sauce with cornstarch after cooked. Carefully remove the lid from the pot when all of the pressure is released. Want to make it authentic? Theyre smoked jalapeos, but the adobo sauce they come canned in is the magical part. Cook a pork roast and tuck it inside. That would be amazing! See our disclosure policy. Step 1: Place pork in a zip lock bag. you can use any flavor you want but we usually stick with roasted garlic or tomato as the other is a little spicy for the kids. Ive seen some other recipes use Coke and I think it would definitely add to the flavor. I believe homemade is best, but it's very difficult to taste the difference between homemade and canned when the brown sugar and green chiles are added! Hi Megan, Thanks again! Whisk the enchilada sauce, chopped green chiles, brown sugar and one can of soda together in the Instant Pot. i use a boston butt cut and found it works perfectly. So delicious! Peach Mango Salsa Enjoy your girls camp! Two neighbors have texted me today asking for the recipe! Our copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork recipe is the real deal. Shred pork with two forks, and remove any fat. We are thrilled that so many of you have enjoyed this recipe as much as we have. I just love that theres a quick version! And also Im loving your post about cooking for a crowd, girls camp and such! Thank you so much for this recipe!! Meaning, it will take time to allow this to happen and this time needs to be built in to the cooking time of the meat. I do have one question though, how much taco sauce do you use? You do not need to change the cooking time. Im so excited to make this. Remove all liquid from the slow cooker. Combine the cola stevia and cherry flavoring in a 12 fl oz (350 mL) glass. I experimented with pork loin, Boston butt and pork shoulder for Instant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork. I saw the Frontera one and want to know if it turned out similar. Is the additional 2 hours of cooking (step 4) necessary after the meat has already cooked 8 hours? Blend for 20 seconds. Use it to top a salad, a burrito, or a taco. No taco sauce needed! I have made many other recipes for Sweet Pork, but they lack flavor. Hope this helps! Do you have a good suggestion to replace the sauce packet since they arent sold anymore? OHHH, that can be tricky. You just mix together all four ingredients (yes, only four ingredients! In a food processor or blender, blend can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste). Hope this helps! Add the full can of coke, brown sugar and green salsa. Now I really have a hankering for a Cafe Rio pork salad. Are you able to add to your Cafe Rio group of recipes a shopping list of some sort we can print, listing all the ingredients but we would have to fill in the quantity ourselves? Cafe Rio does marinade the meat but you will still have a delicious meal if you dont. This process can't be rushed! 2- Cut pork roast into quarters and add to the Instant Pot. I have actually! I did it for 8 hours and it was falling apart YUM! Shred as normal, preparing the sauce separate and toss to combine. I would also place the trivet at the bottom of the instant pot before you put the roast in. All Rights Reserved. Someone sneaky got into my cans of Coke I keep stored only to make Cafe Rio pork (we drink diet on a regular basis) and therefore I made this without it. So the recipe as is feeds 6-8 people. Cannot wait to use leftovers in tacos and a salad. Would it effect the cooking time if I left the bone in? All Cafe Rio style recipes listed and linked on post. I also love the effect soda has when cooking meat, especially pork. Mothers Day is coming soon(hint, hint) Turn the roast over and use the other half of the seasoning mixture to do the same on the other side. Have you found a good replacement for The Old El Paso cooking sauce packet which is no longer available? -Simmer pork in a pan with cut up yellow onions, serrano peppers and chopped carrots. Biggest compliment ever! Your email address will not be published. For this reason, when cooking in the IP, I often make the finished sauce after the main dish has been cooked. But most of all, they love the memories made, shared and treasured and its all thanks to a meal shared together with loved ones. Recognizing the Sunshine and Living Happy. I have cooked frozen chicken breasts successfully in the IP, but chicken is a much smaller cut of than a pork roast I suggest letting it thaw and cooking afterward. After I cooked up both recipes, I put a taste of each on small plates for our judges. Hi Melissa, I havent tried cooking it with soda, but Im sure it would turn out great! Ive never tried a recipe from you that Ive disliked. Or would you stick to the original recipe you posted of the crockpot version? Caramelized the chopped onions and then add them with the carrots and peppers to the sauce in the IP before adding the meat and then add the shredded pork and let it stay on warm for a while? Thanks for sharing a keeper. tastes amazing leftover too!!!! LOVED this cafe rio pork recipe and got multiple compliments on it- I always tell everyone you are my recipe hero. Thank you Si for another great recipe! We have all kinds of yummy Mexican dishes to round out your meals and celebrations! Cover and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Oh it's so good! I love making meals in the crock pot and this is no exception. That extra 1 to 2 hours after shredding the pork and pouring in the remaining ingredients is just meant to heat it all up together. It takes about 5 minutes to make.-As stated in the post, I did not marinate the pork in the sauce before cooking. Can you tell me what I maybe did wrong? Cook, covered, for 6 to 7 hours on low heat. I always have used the old recipe and I used the frontera red Chile enchilada sauce packet and still love how it turns out. This was amazing! Through the years weve had many friends who have moved on to new adventures in places other than Utah (though Cafe Rio is spreading like crazy across the countrynow in CA, AZ, CO, FL, ID, MD, MT, NV, VA, WA, and WY!) Oh, I wish you did! Well, this one got printed out right after dinner! (sorry for the late reply, just now seeing this). Can i make this in an instapot? Marinade pork for at least 2 hours or overnight in can of coke and 1/4 C brown sugar. Can you say easy? Thank you! Thanks for sharing a fantastic recipe, cant wait to make it again! Were your place for more than 1,000 actionable, traditional recipes to serve and celebrate your friends and family. You could try to add more brown sugar to compensate if you absolutely cannot find or use a regular soda. Pour half of the Coke and water around pork. Si, My butcher wouldnt cut the bone out of the shoulder for me, should I put it in the insta pot with the bone and pull the bone off after or cut it off the bone before, Step 7 needs to be fixed to say naturally not manually., KK, THANK YOU for pointing that out! My husband is leaving in 1.5 hours , But btw i love all of your recipes. Pork tenderloin and pork loin roast are not good choices for this recipe. One caution, not all cuts of pork work well in this recipe! Try this Creamy Cilantro Dressing to pour over the top. I secretly love when the hubs is out of town, I put the kids to bed WAY early and spend the night pampering in myself with dinner, a movie and a pedicure! And the other 50% of the judges liked my moms recipe! Si, Does this spice mix make the amount one would need to make this recipe, or does it make more? sides, Spinach egg white frittata costco heating instructions. Move along. Looks incredible, Carrian! We dont buy caffeinated drinks so I was hoping it would taste just as great with rootbeer. I agree the IP version is my favorite and I also love using the shoulder cut. Heres my question in someones reply: I bought a 9lb pork shoulder. I did see some Frontera sauces at my grocery store today. Just cook up some fresh flour tortillas with a little sprinkle of cheese and throw in those recipes for the cilantro lime rice and tomatillo sauce. Hi Melissa, Hi! Will it make a difference with cooking time at all? Cook on high for 3-4 hours (or until the meat shreds easily) or on low for 8 hours. It goes perfectly in burritos, tacos, salads and so much more. Bring to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Would I still cook it for 50 mins? This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, Menu Plan Monday #121 - Life In The Lofthouse, Menu Plan Monday #165 - Life In The Lofthouse, Sweet Pork Nachos - Life In The Lofthouse, Light Creamy Tomatillo Dressing - Life In The Lofthouse. Pour can of Coke, water and garlic salt over pork in the slow cooker. thanks for reading ABK, Ours always appears to be done at 6 as well but I like how the flavor builds when going to 8 hours. Please let us know how it goes! Im wondering if it will works or if I need to go to the store! Complete fail and waste of a lot of money. Alot of prep work but was delicious. Be sure to share a picture and tag, Chocolate Sheet Cake for Two {Texas Sheet Cake}. I recommend using a large, marbled boneless pork roast like pork shoulder, pork butt or pork carnitas. xo Pure comfort food! Do you think a 7 pound pork would be enough for a family of 12 adults and seven little kids? Thanks so much for sharing and for reading ABK! This recipe is clearly a little different because it uses Coke, but trust me its the way its prepared that is key. kinda confusing :/ maybe its showing up weird in my phone. xo Cant wait to see how it all comes together. Put pork, can of Coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot and cook on high for about 3-4 hours or on low for 8 hours. Im letting you in on all the secrets! Sorry to not get back to you sooner! I missed this because I was doing all the other recipes as well. Im sorry! Cafe Rio {Copycat} Creamy Tomatillo Cilantro Ranch Dressing [+ Video], Cilantro Lime Rice Cafe Rio {Copycat} [+ Video], Crock Pot Cafe Rio {Copycat} Chicken [+ Video], Smothered Cafe Rio {Copycat} Chicken Burrito. Cook on low for at least 6-7 hours. Here is the old recipe: Full of delicious sweet flavor, this copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork recipe goes perfectly in salads, tacos, burritos and more. This updated recipe allows cooking of the sweet pork in a fraction of the original 5-12 hour time. Lettuce It looks so delicious! I have never tried it with Diet coke. This time combination allowed the meat to cook for the proper amount of time, breaking down almost all of the fat so it melted back into the meat when using a pork shoulder. Sometimes at 7 hours its even still a bit tough and then 8 hours and its falling apart.