Costa Vida Sweet Pork Recipe

Discover culinary bliss with our Costa Vida Sweet Pork recipe! Dive into a world of marinated perfection – your guide to authentic, mouthwatering delight.

Costa Vida Sweet Pork

• Publisher: Crisp Recipe
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
• Category: Main Dish
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (slow cooker)
• Servings: 10
• Calories: 300 calories

Costa Vida's sweet pork is a tantalizing dish that captures the essence of Mexican-inspired cuisine with its rich flavors and tender texture. This culinary creation revolves around the artful marriage of a few simple ingredients that, when combined, yield a symphony of taste.

At the heart of this recipe is the succulent pork shoulder or butt, a cut chosen for its ability to absorb and retain the sweet and savory marinade.

The marinade itself is a blend of brown sugar, cola (typically Coca-Cola), water, garlic salt, and a hint of onion salt. This concoction undergoes a meticulous process of marinating the pork for at least 8 hours or overnight, allowing the meat to soak up the flavors, resulting in a delectable infusion. The slow-cooking phase, often accomplished in a trusty slow cooker, transforms the marinated pork into a fork-tender masterpiece, ready to be effortlessly shredded.

For me, the versatility of Costa Vida's sweet pork is noteworthy. Whether enveloped in a warm tortilla as a filling for burritos, nestled atop a bed of rice in a burrito bowl, or tucked into tacos, this dish adapts seamlessly to various culinary presentations.

Its Mexican-inspired roots are evident in the bold yet harmonious combination of sweet and savory notes, making it a favorite for those seeking an authentic and satisfying dining experience.

Recipe

Embark on a flavor-packed journey with our Costa Vida Sweet Pork recipe – a tantalizing symphony of marinated goodness that will elevate your taste buds! Unleash the Mexican-inspired magic now.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup cola (like Coca-Cola)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon onion salt

Method Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cola, water, garlic salt, and onion salt.
2. Place the trimmed pork in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
3. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring it's well-coated.
4. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
5. Preheat your slow cooker.
6. Transfer the marinated pork and the marinade into the slow cooker.
7. Cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
8. Once cooked, shred the pork using two forks.
9. If there's excess liquid, you can remove some or use it to keep the pork moist.
10. Serve the sweet pork in burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, or alongside rice and beans.

Recipe Video

Costa Vida Sweet Pork

This is a video about Costa Vida Sweet Pork.

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Recipe Tags: Costa Vida Sweet Pork, Costa Vida Sweet Pork Recipe, Recipe

Servings

Serving Costa Vida sweet pork offers a delightful experience, allowing you to savor its rich flavors in various culinary presentations. Here are some popular and delicious ways to serve Costa Vida sweet pork:

• Burritos: Wrap the sweet pork in a large tortilla along with rice, black or pinto beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, and your favorite salsa. Optionally, add guacamole or sour cream for extra creaminess.
• Burrito Bowls: Create a hearty bowl by layering rice, sweet pork, black beans, corn, salsa, and toppings like shredded cheese and fresh cilantro. Customize it based on your preferences.
• Tacos: Fill soft or hard taco shells with the shredded sweet pork and add toppings like diced onions, cilantro, salsa, and a squeeze of lime for a handheld delight.
• Nachos: Arrange tortilla chips on a platter, layer with melted cheese, and top with sweet pork, black beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, and any other desired toppings. Perfect for sharing.
• Salads: Build a refreshing salad by placing the sweet pork on a bed of mixed greens. Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, avocado slices, and drizzle with a lime vinaigrette for a lighter option.
• Quesadillas: Create cheesy quesadillas by sandwiching sweet pork between tortillas with melted cheese. Serve with salsa or guacamole for dipping.
• Enchiladas: Roll sweet pork in tortillas, place them in a baking dish, cover with enchilada sauce, and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until bubbly for a comforting meal.

You're free to garnish your dishes with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and additional salsa to enhance the flavors. The beauty of Costa Vida sweet pork lies in its versatility, allowing you to customize and enjoy it in various ways based on your preferences.

Tips

1. Marinating Time: Allow the pork to marinate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This extended marination ensures the meat absorbs the flavors deeply, resulting in a more flavorful end product.
2. Pork Cut: Opt for pork shoulder or pork butt for the best texture and flavor. These cuts are well-suited for slow cooking and shredding.
3. Cola Choice: While cola is a key ingredient, feel free to experiment with different brands or even flavored colas to add subtle variations to the taste.
4. Slow Cooker Settings: When using a slow cooker, cook on the low setting for 8 hours. This slow and low cooking method is essential for achieving the desired tenderness in the pork.
5. Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet flavor, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar in the marinade. Taste the marinade before adding it to the pork and adjust according to your preference.
6. Searing Option: For added depth of flavor, consider searing the marinated pork in a hot pan before transferring it to the slow cooker. This step is optional but can enhance the overall taste.
7. Toppings and Garnishes: Customize your servings with a variety of toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. These additions complement the sweet pork beautifully.
8. Storage and Reheating: This recipe is great for meal prep. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently to maintain the pork's tenderness.
9. Serve with Lime: A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving can brighten up the flavors and add a citrusy kick.
10. Pairing Suggestions: Serve the sweet pork with Mexican rice, black beans, or a side of sautéed vegetables to create a well-balanced and satisfying meal.

Ingredient Substitutes

If at all you need to substitute some ingredients in the Costa Vida-style sweet pork recipe, here are a few options:

1. Pork Substitute: You can use chicken thighs or beef as an alternative to pork. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the meat you choose.
2. Brown Sugar Substitute: Swap brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut sugar for a different sweetness profile.
3. Cola Substitute: If you prefer not to use cola, you can replace it with a dark soda like root beer or Dr. Pepper. Alternatively, use beef or vegetable broth for a non-sweet option.
4. Garlic Salt and Onion Salt Substitute: Substitute garlic salt with minced garlic and regular salt. For onion salt, use minced onion or onion powder with salt.

Remarks

Indulge in the savory harmony of Costa Vida Sweet Pork – a culinary adventure that brings Mexican-inspired magic to your table. Elevate your dining experience with each flavorful bite. ¡Buen provecho!