Sweet Pork Barbacoa [Slow Cooker, Instant Pot Or Oven!]

This barbacoa pork recipe is a set it and forget it meal that takes all of 5 minutes to put together! It’s great for making tacos, burritos, and salads! This sweet pork recipe is great for meal prep because it stores well in the fridge all week and is freezer friendly!

Why This Recipe Works

I’m pretty picky when it comes to pulled pork recipes. Or really any meat that has sweetness to it. I find that a lot of recipes are either overly sweet (almost making it taste like a dessert meat?!) or they’re hardly sweet at all and don’t deserve “sweet” in the title.

But this pork barbacoa recipe?! It’s PERFECTION. It’s got the most flavorful sweet heat going on without being overly sweet or heat-y (is that a word?) Everyone who raves about Cafe Rio sweet pork recipe.. prepare to be mind blow by this one! And? In the comfort of your own home (Hello PJs!)

Depending on the day I’ll make this in the slow cooker or make it into Instant Pot pork barcaboa. I’ll share instructions for both! They are both great, the Instant Pot just makes it much faster. So if you don’t have all day, go with that!

Don’t forget to make yourself a nice big batch of 2 minute avocado lime crema to use as a topping (or eat by the spoon… whatever works!)

Ingredients Needed

• Cola. I use just plain cola. I DO use the one with sugar, not a diet or zero sugar option. This adds to the sweetness. If you use a diet version I’d recommend doubling the brown sugar!
• Pork Loin. I use a half pork loin roast but you can also use a pork shoulder or “Boston Butt”. (If you’re curious what makes different types of pork different, checkout this post on cuts of pork!)

Recipe Instructions

First, be sure to trim large chunks of fat off of your pork. Set aside.

Next, right in the crockpot combine all remaining ingredients and whisk together.

Add your pork into the slow cooker and just turn it over a few times to get it all nice and coated.

Set your slow cooker to high and cook for 6-7 hours (I recommend checking it after 4 hours and turning it to low if needed. Some slow cookers cook faster than others)

Once your meat is able to be shredded with a fork go ahead and shred the entire thing up. I like to use electric beaters for this (just be careful at first- it might splatter!)

Allow it to simmer for ~30 minutes on low to ideally to allow the sauce to really soak in (if you’re in a rush you can skip this! I understand!)

Now enjoy! Scoop some onto a taco, a salad, over rice or eat on it’s own!

Instant Pot Pork Barbacoa Instructions

For the Instant Pot, follow all of the same directions except you can add the optional step of searing the meat for 2-3 minutes per side prior to making the sauce in the IP pot. Do this on the sauté function setting, drizzling a bit of oil in before searing.

This can add to flavor but if you’re short on time skip it. Pressure cook for 60 minutes and allow to naturally pressure release.

Recipe FAQ’s

Expert Tips

• Shredding The Pork: I start off by using two forks to shred the pork, but then I switch the electric beaters. It’s WAY faster and gets nice and shredded. Just be careful at first as to not splatter it everywhere!
• How To Serve Pork Barbacoa: I love using this slow cooker pork barbacoa in tacos or burrito bowls. It honestly makes a great omelette filling though, too. Sounds strange but it’s actually delish!

Other Recipes You Might Like:

If you love this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating on the recipe card and leave a comment below!

Don’t forget to pin it on your Pinterest board for later, or tag me on IG @no.food.rules if you try the recipe and love it!

XOXO

-Colleen

Slow Cooker Pork Barbacoa

This barbacoa pork recipe is a set it and forget it meal that takes 5 minutes to put together! Great for meal prep, tacos, burritos, & salads!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 6 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ~3 lb pork loin roast fat trimmed
• 1 cup 8 oz cola
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup broth chicken or veggie work great
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

• First, be sure to trim large chunks of fat off of your pork. Set aside.
• Next, right in the crockpot combine all remaining ingredients and whisk together.
• Add your pork into the slow cooker and just turn it over a few times to get it all nice and coated.
• Set your slow cooker to high and cook for 6-7 hours (I recommend checking it after 4 hours and turning it to low if needed. Some slow cookers cook faster than others)
• Once your meat is able to be shredded with a fork go ahead and shred the entire thing up. I like to use electric beaters for this (just be careful at first- it might splatter!)
• Allow it to simmer for ~30-60 minutes on low to ideally to allow the sauce to really soak in (if you’re in a rush you can skip this! I understand!)
• Now enjoy! Scoop some onto a taco, a salad, over rice or eat on it’s own!

Notes

Instant Pot Directions: Follow all of the same directions except you can add the optional step of searing the meat for 2-3 minutes per side prior to making the sauce in the IP. Do this on the sauté function setting, drizzling a bit of oil in before searing. This can add to flavor but if you’re short on time skip it. Pressure cook for 60 minutes and allow to naturally pressure release.

Pork: You can sub a pork shoulder or "Boston Butt" for this recipe.

Cola: I recommend using soda with sugar not diet of "zero". If you’re using diet or zero I recommend doubling the brown sugar.

click To display nutrition info

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Pork Barbacoa

Serving Size

 

1 g

Amount per Serving

Calories

144

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

5

g

8

%

Saturated Fat

 

2

g

13

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Cholesterol

 

46

mg

15

%

Sodium

 

217

mg

9

%

Carbohydrates

 

8

g

3

%

Fiber

 

1

g

4

%

Sugar

 

6

g

7

%

Protein

 

16

g

32

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.