Happy 2013! I’m starting off the New Year with a lightened up version of one of my favorites, sweet pork. This recipe mostly reduces the amount of sugar that’s in most recipes for sweet pork but it is still plenty sweet enough and definitely doesn’t lack flavor.
%20via%20sweettreatsmore.com "Pin It")
Skinny Taste is one of my go-to sites for healthy dishes or lightened up versions of some of my favorites. Love Gina’s site! This Sweet Barbacoa Pork is her lightened up version of Cafe Rio’s Sweet Pork and once I saw it, I knew I had to try it. If you’ve never eaten at Cafe Rio, you are missing out! It.is.amazing. We never get sick of the place. And although we usually order their chicken, the sweet pork is fabulous!
I made it on a Sunday, got a great meal out of it, and then we made salads and rice bowls with it the rest of the week. We got a lot of mileage out of it! Topped with this Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette, it’s delicious!
Happy 2013!
Slow Cooker Sweet Barbacoa Pork {lightened up}
Ingredients
2.5 lbs pork loin roast, fat trimmed
salt & pepper
garlic powder
6 oz coke zero
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
8 oz coke zero
6 oz can sliced green chiles
8 oz tomato sauce
1 to 1 1/2 chili in adobo sauce, chopped
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp chili powder (more to taste)
salt & pepper to taste
1/3 cup brown sugar
Directions
Generously season pork roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and place in slow cooker. Add 6 oz of coke zero and 1/4 cup brown sugar to the slow cooker. Place slow cooker in fridge and let marinate at least 3 hours or overnight. (if slow cooker is too large for fridge you can place roast and marinade in a large ziplock bag).
When done marinating, add 1/4 cup water and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7, or until pork shreds easily.
Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Drain all juices remaining in the slow cooker.
In the slow cooker combine remaining 8 oz coke zero, green chiles, tomato sauce, chili in adobo, 1/8 tsp of each garlic powder, cumin and chili powder, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and additional salt and pepper to taste.
Place shredded pork back in the slow cooker, cover, and cook for another 1 1/2-2 hours.
Serve shredded pork on salads, over rice, in burritos, or quesadillas.source: Skinny Taste
I am always looking for a good slow cooker recipe! This sounds delicious and using a pork loin is also so easy!
It really is easy! And you can never have too many slow cooker recipes!
Ooooh, this looks fantastic! I love the sweet pork but don’t get it often because I know how much sugar is in it. Can’t wait to try this!
Thanks Kelly! I’m the same way, I never get the pork because I know how naughty it is:)
I love pork. Period. I can never turn it down. A lightened up version is exactly what I need.
oh, and what happened to our get together?
I love SkinnyTaste! A blog PACKED with healthy treats and meals. I love this dish, too Kristy. We are constantly looking for new dinner ideas and this is something I could easily put together one morning for after work. The coke zero – amazing. And Happy New Year to you!
slow cooker + barbacoa are two of my fav things!
This looks soooo good 🙂
Thanks Brittany!
That looks super delish. I am not a pork eater but I can’t wait to try it with chicken!!
I was thinking next time I make it I’ll do it with chicken too!!
This is perfect! Love how it is lightened up a bit!
Would you happen to have the nutrition facts for this pork? Counting calories in an effort to lose baby weight! Thanks!
This is a really great recipe, thank you! I actually make it using a pressure cooker, not a slow cooker and have at times substituted chicken instead of pork. It’s a keeper – my family loves it and I’ve made it many many times over! We have eaten it on Hawaiian rolls, over rice, and on Tacos! Tip if you’re making this for children – go easy on the heat. People feel so sorry for me when they hear I cannot tolerate dairy or gluten. They ask what do I eat.. food. Real food. Like this recipe for example! (No rolls for me though). Thanks again!
So glad you liked it!! Thank you!