What small pink bean traditionally accompanies Santa Maria-style barbecue?

What small pink bean traditionally accompanies Santa Maria-style barbecue? The answer is pinquito bean.

Pinquito beans are a signature side dish of Santa Maria–style barbecue, a Central Coast California tradition centered on beef grilled over hot coast live oak, often called red oak. The traditional plate also includes salsa, green salad, and grilled French bread.

The name pinquito means “pink and small,” and the bean is associated particularly with the Santa Maria Valley’s soil and mild climate. It is commonly described as a cross between a pink bean and a small white bean, giving it a distinctive identity beyond the better-known pinto bean.

Santa Maria barbecue developed from mid-19th-century ranch and community feasts. Top sirloin was the original centerpiece; tri-tip became especially important after its popularization in the 1950s. A common mix-up is to substitute pinto beans, but pinquitos are the traditional local accompaniment.