How to Barbecue California Style

California style barbecue, also known as Santa Maria style, doesn't include sauces or marinades. Instead, steak is rolled in garlic salt and pepper prior to cooking, and is served with pink beans (pinquitos) and salsa. Here are the steps to help you create your own California style barbecue.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Top sirloin or tri-tip steaks
• Red oak chips
• Garlic salt and pepper
• Salsa
• Pink beans
• Diced ham and bacon
• Garlic
• Tomato puree
• Red chili sauce
• Dry mustard
• Sugar
• French bread
• Garden salad

1. Roll 3-inch cuts of top sirloin or tri-tip steaks in a mixture of garlic salt and pepper. Don't trim the fat or cut the tri-tip into individual steaks before cooking.
2. Sear the lean side of the steak over red oak coals for 5 to 10 minutes. Turn and cook the other side for 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Turn the steak again from the grill when the juices appear at the top. Cook another 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Remove from the grill, trim the fat and cut into individual steaks.
5. Prepare pink beans by first soaking overnight. Simmer the beans in water until tender--about 2 hours--then drain the water.
6. Saute diced ham, bacon and garlic, then add tomato puree, red chili sauce, dry mustard and sugar. Add to the beans and simmer for 1/2 hour, adding water if necessary.
7. Serve steaks and beans with salsa, French bread and salad.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to pick over the beans and remove any small stones that might be among them.
• Don't add the ham, tomato and chili sauce to the beans until they are tender. Cooking the beans in the sauce will make them tough.