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Craving Cafe Rio’s signature salad but want to make it at home? This copycat Cafe Rio Salad recipe captures all the flavors you love with each of our easier-than-you-think recipes that make up the famous salad. Enjoy this restaurant-quality salad in the comfort of your kitchen!

An overhead picture of the finished Cafe Rio Salad with the dressing beside it.

What You’ll Love About The Best Cafe Rio Copycat Pork Salad:

  • Affordability: Save money by not eating out and make the salad at home instead. You’ll get the same great flavors you love for a fraction of the cost. 
  • Customizable: Love guacamole? Add an extra scoop. Not a fan of tortilla strips? Leave them off. It is easy to customize this salad when you make it yourself. 
  • Bold Flavors: The combination of sweet pork, fresh guacamole, and cilantro lime dressing is irresistible!

Ingredients:

How To Make Copycat Cafe Rio Salad:

***This is just a teaser! To see the complete ingredient list and step-by-step instructions, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  1. Place a tortilla in the bottom of a large bowl. 
  2. Layer the ingredients on top of the tortilla.
  3. Top with tortilla strips, cheese, and dressing. 
The finished salad in a foil bowl.

Make It A Meal

  • This salad is a complete and filling meal all on its own with all of the components in it. Serve the salad alongside a refreshing glass of lemonade.

Storage Tips

Store: It’s best to store each salad component separately to avoid sogginess and wilting.

Freeze: The salad does not freeze well, but some of the individual components do.

Recipe FAQs:

How many calories are in my Cafe Rio salad?

The total calories will vary depending on which ingredients you add to your salad. The nutritional value of each ingredient is listed at the bottom of each recipe card. 

What is the difference between Cafe Rio salad and tostada?

This salad is made with a soft flour tortilla. At the same time, a tostada is a crunchy corn tortilla. 

Is a Cafe Rio salad healthy?

A salad is nutritious, but the calories can add up quickly if you load up on the dressing. So, consider the portion sizes as you build this salad. Below is the calorie breakdown for each part of this salad: 

  • Guacamole: 113 calories in about ¼ cup 
  • Cilantro Lime Dressing: 207 calories in ¼ cup
  • Cilantro Lime Rice: 224 calories in ¾ cup
  • Sweet Pork: 297 calories in ¾ cup
  • Black Beans: 149 calories in ½ cup
  • Pico de Gallo: 11 calories in ¼ cup
The fnished salad in a serving bowl.
A close up overhead picture of the finished salad.
5 from 1 vote

Cafe Rio Salad

This copycat Cafe Rio Salad recipe captures all the flavors you love with each of our easier-than-you-think recipes that make up the famous salad.
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 10 hours
Total: 10 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 people

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Once all the components of the salad are prepared, it’s time to assemble.
  • Add warm tortilla to plates.
  • Add ¼ cup of shredded Mexican cheese to each.
  • Layer in cilantro lime rice, black beans, lettuce, sweet pork, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
  • Top with cilantro lime dressing and serve.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
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About Jillian Wade

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