Wawona-style BBQ beans

Name: Wawona-style BBQ beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 hr
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 lb dried pinto beans, soaked overnight; 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped; 1 yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup barbecue sauce; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 tbsp yellow mustard; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; salt and black pepper to taste

2026-07-17· serves 8· prep 15 min· cook 2 hr

Ingredients

1 lb dried pinto beans, soaked overnight
6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
salt and black pepper to taste

Our reception at the Wawona was a barbecue buffet, and the beans were the sleeper hit. This is our attempt at getting back there from memory. It is not authentic; it is very good.

Steps

Drain the soaked beans, cover with fresh water in a large pot, and simmer until just tender, about 45 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of the cooking liquid.
In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until the fat renders. Add the onion and cook until soft, then the garlic for one minute more.
Stir in the beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and vinegar. Add reserved cooking liquid until just loose.
Cover and bake at 300°F for about 2 hours, uncovering for the last 30 minutes to thicken. Season with salt and pepper.