Best Ever Pinto Beans

Directions

1. 1
   Cover pinto beans with water in a large bowl. Soak beans for 4 hours, changing water every 30 to 45 minutes. Drain.
2. 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.
3. 3
   Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans are just tender, 2 to 3 hours.
4. 4
   Remove ham hock from beans; cut meat from the bone, chop the ham, and return to pot.
5. 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.