BBQ Lingo
Pinquito Beans
A small, firm pink bean grown almost exclusively in California's Santa Maria Valley, the mandatory side for Santa Maria BBQ.
Pinquitos are a unique cultivar — smaller than a pinto, firmer than a pink bean, holding their shape after hours of simmering. They're grown almost exclusively in the Santa Maria Valley, where the cool coastal climate suits them. The classic preparation simmers them with bacon, ham, garlic, tomato, chile, and mustard. No Santa Maria BBQ plate is complete without a scoop.
Why it matters
It's a genuinely regional ingredient — you can't fake the plate with pintos and have it taste right.