Slow Cooker Anyday: Cafe Rio Sweet Pork & Creamy Cilantro Dressing

2011 October 21

by Emily Hill

One of my first Slow Cooker Anyday guest posts was by my dear friend Vanessa. She posted a delicious (and I know because we’ve tried it) version of Cafe Rio-style shredded pork and their famous house dressing.

Because we can’t get enough Cafe Rio around here, I had to share one of my favorite Cafe Rio slow cooker recipes. You definitely need to give this sweet pork recipe a try, and you definitely need to top it with some homemade Cafe Rio creamy cilantro dressing. Most definitely, in fact.

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Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
3 lb pork roast
1 chipped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 T butter

2 T soy sauce
3/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Saute onion and garlic in butter. Place roast in crock pot and cover with onion. Cook about 3 hours on high (or low equivalent). Drain liquid and save in fridge; shred pork. Add the soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt and pepper and cook an additional 2 hours on high (or low equivalent). Skim off fat from reserved liquid and add to pork (to taste).

Serve on tortillas with Zataran’s Black Beans & Rice, cheese, pico de gallo…whatever you like! I used lettuce, shredded cheese and fresh tomatoes from our garden. Top it with creamy cilantro dressing (recipe below).

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Creamy Cilantro Dressing
2 T salsa verd
1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 pkg buttermilk ranch dressing mix
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 to 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 bunch cilantro (with stems)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Lime juice from 1 lime

Add ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Chill 1 hour (if you can wait that long).

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18 Responses Post a comment

Camille permalink

October 21, 2011

ohhh I shouldn’t be looking at posts like this at an hour like now! I’m tempted to take a little drive to Cafe Rio! (or pull out my crock pot from storage….) Love these recipes you’re posting, Emily!
Camille´s deep thought ~ Something Exciting This Way Comes

[Reply]
Emily Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:52 am
Cafe Rio is always worth succumbing to temptation!
Emily´s deep thought ~ Slow Cooker Anyday: Cafe Rio Sweet Pork & Creamy Cilantro Dressing

[Reply]
Kristina P. permalink

October 21, 2011

I found a blog last week that has the entire recipe for the Sweet Pork salad. Rice, black beans, everything. Delicious!

BTW, I need Linda’s number again! I think we are going to have her clean our new place.
Kristina P.´s deep thought ~ Mother May I

[Reply]
Emily Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:52 am
Send along that link–I’d love to have it! And I will text you Linda’s number. LOVE her!
Emily´s deep thought ~ I am…taking a stand against cancer

[Reply]
Steph permalink

October 21, 2011

I seriously want that… right now.
Steph´s deep thought ~ It’s Still Wednesday… Rad Bug Photo

[Reply]
Emily Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:40 pm
It is SO good!
Emily´s deep thought ~ Wicked Witch Halloween printable & GIVEAWAY!

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Jeanette permalink

October 22, 2011

How timely! I just bought a huge bunch of cilantro at the farmer’s market today. Guess I know what I will be doing with some of it! :)
Jeanette´s deep thought ~ Forty and Pregnant… What a Surprise!

[Reply]
Emily Reply:
October 23rd, 2011 at 12:08 am
It is SO good! With the other you should make this: http://www.isthisreallymylife.com/2009/06/quick-easy-homemade-salsa/. Delicious!
Emily´s deep thought ~ Wicked Witch Halloween printable & GIVEAWAY!

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