Easy Seasoned Tri-Tip Recipe

Full of flavor and simple to make, this Easy Seasoned Tri-Tip Recipe cooks in no time and yields tender smokey seasoned beef that is great for entertaining!

This Easy Seasoned tri-tip recipe is a grilling staple in our house. Not only can you get it on the table quickly, but its made with an inexpensive cut of meat that makes it ideal for entertaining!

Grilling/Barbeque is really popular in our house. For the most part, it tends to be healthier and it uses a lot less dishes than cooking inside which makes it a winner in our house!

This triangle steak/roast is flavored with a few simple spices and grilled quickly so you have a crust of spices on a juicy slice of beef that when you cut it across the grain is really tender!

The seasoning on this tri-tip is rich and smoky from some coffee and chipotle chili powder. There is also dry mustard, salt, garlic and onion powder to balance it. It’s not spicy at all but full flavor. The seasoning also works really well on grilled shrimp and chicken.

What Is Tri-Tip?

Tri-tip is the triangle section of the sirloin where it meets the round and the flank. There is a photo here at Certified Angus beef showing you where it’s cut from.

There is very obvious marbling and some fat on the outside.  I choose to trim the visible chunks of fat to avoid grilling flare ups. The cut looks like a brisket in marbling, but there is not a fat cap on the triangle shaped cap.

Santa Maria trip tip is what made the cut famous in California so it’s a very common cut out on the west coast can be found readily. If your butcher isn’t familiar with it he may know it as some other names listed but I have found it everywhere I’ve looked in the west and the Midwest.

Other names Tri-Tip is known as:

• Triangle Steak
• California Cut Sirloin
• Santa Maria Cut Roast
• Triangle Shaped Cap
• Culotte Steak

Is Tri-tip tender? 

Tri-tip, when cooked to no more than medium-rare and cut across the grain is very juicy and tender.  If you prefer a more well-done steak, this is not the recipe for you.  (although you can use this seasoning on anything!) This tri-tip steak recipe is seared on both sides, then cooked to rare/medium-rare.  If you overcook it, it will be very tough.

Because the tri-tip is triangular in shape, there will be an end that is smaller and will be a little more done and still be tender… it tends to finish to medium and by letting the steak rest it will have plenty of juices.

Cooking Tri Tip Roast:

1. Mix Seasoning, sprinkle over the top.
2. Massage seasoning into both sides of the tri-tip roast.
3. Let sit for 60 minutes to overnight, wrapped in foil in the fridge.
4. On hot grill sear each side, then finish cooking on indirect heat until 5° before the desired doneness. (see chart below)
5. Let rest for 10 minutes. (meat will continue to cook even off the grill)
6. Slice meat against the grain about 1/4 -1/3″ thick.

PRO TIP:  Cutting across the grain is critical in this triangle roast cut of meat.  You can usually see the grain line on the top, but I usually make sure the fist cut is easily stretchable.  

Can you cook a tri-tip roast in the oven?  Yes!  You’ll season as the grilled version but when ready to cook preheat the oven to 350°.  On the stovetop in a cast-iron skillet, heat the skillet to high. Sear for 3 minutes on each side.  Then place in the oven and cook until desired doneness(see the chart below.)  About 10-20 minutes average on a 3-pound roast, but use a thermometer for exact doneness.

What internal temp is ideal for this tri-tip recipe?

• Rare: Remove from heat at 115-120°, the meat will rise in resting to an internal temp of 125°
• Medium Rare: Remove from heat at 125-130°, the meat will rise in resting to an internal temp of 135°
• ****Medium: Remove from heat at 135°, the meat will rise in resting to an internal temp of 140°–see note below*****

**** Although I provide the temps from Medium….I highly recommend rare or medium-rare at the most for the internal temp to maintain tenderness and have it be juicy and not dried out.  If you have people who prefer more well done, you can serve them the smaller tip of the triangle which will be a little more done.

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Yield: 6

Easy Seasoned Grilled Tri-Tip (0ven info too)

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Full of flavor and simple to make, this Easy Seasoned Tri Tip Recipe cooks in no time and yields tender smokey seasoned beef that is great for entertaining!  #grilling #triptip #bbq #easymeal #entertainingfood

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Resting 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 pound tri-tip roast
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon chipotle powder, (I like adobe for spicy)
• 1.5 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon coffee, (ground fine, not liquid)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

1. Trim any excess fat from tri-tip.  
2. Into a small bowl mix all spices and blend well.
3. Sprinkle spices on each side of tri-tip and using your fingers rub the spices into the meat.  
4. Place roast onto a sheet of foil and wrap tightly.  Allow to set for 60 minutes minimum, up to overnight.
5. One hour before grilling remove from fridge and allow to come to room temperature.
6. Heat grill to high. Place roast on grill and sear for 5 minutes each side.  Ideally on your gas grill you will have one area you can turn off the gas and allow meat to cook without being on the flames (indirect cooking it).If you dont have that option, place the meat on the cooler area with out as many flames.  Close the lid and cook for 5 minutes at a time coming back to check to make sure the flames are not burning the meat.  
7. Depending on the size and width of the roast will determine how long it takes to cook your roast.  Use a thermometer to cook to 5° before desired doneness.
8. For Rare, you want to remove at 120° (during rest time it will continue to cook to 125°‚. Medium rare 130° (rest temp finish 135). Medium 140° /145° rest temp finish). Any more done than medium the meat will be too dry.  
9. Once roast hits your desired temp, remove from grill and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
10. Cut meat into slices against the grain to maximize tenderness.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

• 
  Colman's Dry Mustard Powder, 4-Oz.
• 
  McCormick Gourmet Organic Chipotle Chile Pepper, 2 oz

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

6 Servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 366Saturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 724mgCarbohydrates: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 47g

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