Santa Maria Style Pinquito Beans Recipe

Santa Maria Pinquito Beans
Jacob Snavely / Getty Images
  • 90 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins,
  • Cook: 75 mins
  • Yield: 8 Servings
Ratings (11)

By John Mitzewich

Updated 11/06/17

This Santa Maria style beans recipe is a classic side dish for California's famous grilled Santa Maria tri-tip. Santa Maria style beans are traditionally made using pinquito beans, which are small pink beans native to that part of California, but any dried bean will work for this great barbecue side dish.

Makes 8 Servings Santa Maria Style Beans

What You'll Need

  • 1 pound dry pinquito beans, pink beans, or pinto beans
  • 2 strips bacon, diced
  • 1/2 cup smoked cooked ham, diced
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoondry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper, optional
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water

How to Make It

Check through beans for small stones. Place in a pot and cover with cold water; soak overnight. Drain beans and return to the pot. Cover by 3-inches with fresh cold water, and simmer for 1 hour, 45 minutes, or until tender.

While the beans are cooking, saute bacon in a saucepan over medium heat until lightly browned. Add the ham and garlic; saute 2 minutes longer. Add the tomato, ketchup, mustard, paprika, chili powder, chipotle, sugar, salt, and water.

Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes. Reserve.

When beans are ready; drain, but reserve one cup of the cooking liquid. Return beans and cup of liquid to the pot and stir in the sauce. Simmer on low for 30 minutes. Serve hot with grilled Santa Maria tri-tip.

Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
Calories 236
Total Fat 2 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Unsaturated Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 4 mg
Sodium 167 mg
Carbohydrates 42 g
Dietary Fiber 12 g
Protein 14 g
(The nutrition information on our recipes is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. Individual results may vary.)