Best Ever Pinto Beans

Step 1
Cover pinto beans with water in a large bowl. Soak beans for 4 hours, changing water every 30 to 45 minutes. Drain.

Step 2
Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Add pinto beans, ham hock, and kosher salt to the pot. Pour in more water if needed to cover ingredients by at least 1 inch.

Step 3
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans are just tender, 2 to 3 hours.

Step 4
Remove ham hock from beans; cut meat from the bone, chop the ham, and return to pot.

Step 5
Stir tomato sauce and brown sugar into the beans. Continue to simmer until beans are tender and flavors are blended, about 1 more hour.