Description
A classic Santa Maria style Pinquito Beans recipe featuring tender small pink beans simmered with aromatic onions, garlic, and a blend of spices, finished with a tangy tomato-based sauce and optional smoky bacon. Perfect as a savory side dish for BBQ or everyday meals, with a vegetarian option available.
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Liquid
- 2 cups dried pinquito beans (or substitute with small pink beans)
- 6 cups water
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Sauce Ingredients
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped cooked bacon or salt pork
Instructions
- Prepare Beans: Rinse and sort the dried pinquito beans to remove any debris or damaged beans. Place them in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight to soften.
- Cook Beans: Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Transfer them to a large pot and add 6 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for about 1½ to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface during cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: While the beans cook, heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture to the pot of cooked beans. Stir in salt, black pepper, chili powder, dry mustard, ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and the optional chopped bacon or salt pork if using.
- Simmer Sauce: Continue simmering the beans uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld thoroughly.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving. Serve warm alongside Santa Maria tri-tip, salsa, and garlic bread for an authentic experience.
Notes
- Traditional Santa Maria-style beans are served with tri-tip, salsa, and garlic bread.
- To make the recipe vegetarian, omit the bacon and add a pinch of smoked paprika for smoky flavor.
- You can soak the beans using a quick-soak method by boiling for 1 minute and then letting stand for 1 hour if short on time.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and may deepen in flavor overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American (California)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¾ cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
