Tri tip roast is a flavorful and lean cut of beef that is perfect for grilling. With the right techniques, you can make tender, juicy, and delicious tri tip on your barbecue. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to bbq tri tip roast to perfection.
Selecting and Preparing the Tri Tip
Choosing the Right Cut
When selecting a tri tip roast for grilling, you want to look for a few key characteristics:
- Weight – Aim for a tri tip roast that is about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. This size will cook evenly and have the right thickness.
- Marbling – Look for moderate marbling, which will add flavor and moisture as the fat renders. Avoid tri tip with large chunks of hard fat.
- Color – Opt for a roast with bright red lean meat and white fat. The color indicates freshness.
- Shape – Pick a evenly shaped, compact tri tip rather than one that is oddly shaped or tapered.
Trimming and Seasoning
Before cooking your tri tip, you’ll need to trim off any excess hard fat or silverskin. Leave a thin layer of fat for moisture. Pat the meat dry and generously season all over with:
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder
- A drizzle of olive oil to help the seasoning adhere
Rub the seasoning into the meat well so it penetrates. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while you preheat your grill.
Meat Thermometer
An instant read meat thermometer is essential for perfectly cooked tri tip. Insert it into the thickest part without touching any bone. Grill the meat until it reaches the following internal temps:
- Rare – 125°F
- Medium rare – 130-135°F
- Medium – 140°F
The meat will continue cooking and rise about 5°F after you take it off the grill.
How to Grill Tri Tip Roast
Grilling tri tip roast over direct high heat creates a delicious sear while keeping the interior moist and tender. Here are some tips:
Grill Set Up
- Heat your gas or charcoal grill to high heat, around 450-500°F.
- Clean and lightly oil the grates right before putting the meat on.
- For charcoal, pile the coals on one side to create hot and warm zones.
Grill Positioning
- Place the tri tip on the hot side of the grill and sear for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Move to indirect heat (warm side) and continue cooking to desired doneness, flipping occasionally.
- Keep the lid closed as much as possible to retain heat.
Grill Times
- For a 1.5 pound roast, grill approximately:
- Rare – 14-18 minutes total
- Medium rare – 18-22 minutes
- Medium – 22-26 minutes
- Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness rather than relying solely on time.
Let It Rest
- When the tri tip is done, transfer to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil.
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute.
Slicing and Serving Tri Tip
Properly slicing tri tip across the grain is important for tenderness. Here’s how:
- Identify the direction of the muscle fibers in the meat.
- Thinly slice crosswise against the grain into pieces.
- Cut on a slight diagonal for extra-wide slices.
- Make sure to discard any unincorporated fat.
Serve the grilled tri tip roast drizzled with pan juices for added moisture and flavor. Delicious sides include roasted potatoes, grilled veggies, and a fresh salad.
Tri Tip Roast Grilling Tips and Techniques
Grilling tri tip roast to tender, juicy perfection takes some technique. Follow these tips from start to finish:
1. Pat Dry
- Be sure to pat the tri tip very dry before applying any oil or seasoning.
- Dry meat helps achieve an excellent sear and crust.
2. Generous Seasoning
- Season boldly with salt, pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, chili powder.
- Really work the seasoning into the meat for maximum flavor.
3. Sear Over Direct Heat
- Searing over high heat develops a delicious brown crust.
- Use tongs to flip only once during searing to get grill marks.
4. Indirect Heat to Cook Through
- After searing, move to indirect heat and close the grill lid.
- This allows the meat to cook through gently without burning.
5. Grill to 5° Below Target Temp
- Pull the meat off the grill when it’s 5°F below desired doneness.
- It will continue cooking as it rests.
6. Let Meat Rest!
- Never skip the resting time! It allows juices to reabsorb back into the meat.
7. Slice Across the Grain
- Identify direction of muscle fibers and slice crosswise.
- This ensures the most tender bite.
Follow these pro tips and you’ll achieve grilled tri tip bliss!
Best Wood Chips for Grilling Tri Tip
Adding wood chips or chunks to your grill or smoker imparts delicious flavor into tri tip as it cooks. The best woods to use are:
- Mesquite – Bold, earthy, robust flavor. Most popular for beef.
- Hickory – Intense, smoky, bacon-like flavor. Classic pairing with red meat.
- Oak – Strong yet mellow taste. Provides great all-purpose smoke flavor.
- Apple – Sweet and fruity smoke. Milder complement to beef.
Soak the chips in water for 30 minutes before adding to hot coals or gas grill smoker box. The smoking times are relatively short for tri tip, so go easy on the amount of wood.
Marinade and Rub Ideas
Marinades and spice rubs infuse tri tip roast with tons of extra flavor. Try these tasty combinations:
Santa Maria Style Dry Rub
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
- Garlic powder
- Dried parsley
Soy Ginger Marinade
- Soy sauce
- Rice wine vinegar
- Fresh ginger
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
Chili Lime Dry Rub
- Lime zest
- Ground chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Brown sugar
- Cumin
Rosemary Garlic Marinade
- Olive oil
- Fresh rosemary
- Garlic
- Dijon mustard
- Lemon juice
Get creative with marinades and rubs that complement the beefy flavor of tri tip!
Compound Butters for Serving
Compound butters are easy to make and add a nice richness and flavor when serving grilled tri tip. Here are some tasty combinations:
Lemon Herb Butter
Blend together softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
Blue Cheese Bacon Butter
Mix crumbled blue cheese, crispy crumbled bacon, minced shallot, and soft butter.
Chipotle Lime Butter
Combine butter, minced chipotles in adobo, lime zest and juice, cilantro, and cumin.
Balsamic Rosemary Butter
Whip butter with minced rosemary, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic.
Serve slices of tri tip roast topped with a pat of your favorite compound butter creation!
Best Side Dishes for Grilled Tri Tip
Tri tip pairs deliciously with a variety of simple sides. Here are some must-try options:
Grilled Vegetables
Drizzle sliced zucchini, squash, peppers, onions, and carrots with olive oil and grill until charred and tender.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Boil and mash russet potatoes with butter, milk, roasted garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Macaroni Salad
Toss cooked elbow macaroni with mayo, diced bell pepper, shredded carrot, onion, and celery.
Corn on the Cob
Grill shucked corn slathered in butter, lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese.
Mixed Greens Salad
Toss spring mix greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and shredded Parmesan with balsamic dressing.
Pairing tri tip with grilled veggies, potato dishes, bright salads, and BBQ sides like baked beans or coleslaw is always a winning combo!
FAQs
What is tri tip roast?
Tri tip roast is a triangular cut of beef from the bottom sirloin. It’s a small, flavorful roast that is perfect for grilling. It has moderate marbling which keeps it moist.
Where does tri tip come from on the cow?
Tri tip is cut from the bottom sirloin, near the hind leg of the cow. It’s a small muscle so each cow only yields two tri tip roasts.
Is tri tip steak the same as tri tip roast?
Essentially yes, although steak implies it has been sliced across the grain into individual portions. Roast refers to the whole intact triangular cut.
How long does it take to grill tri tip?
For a 1.5 pound tri tip roast, allow about 16-20 minutes of total grilling time. Grill over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side to sear, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking to your desired doneness.
What is the best way to cook tri tip in the oven?
To oven roast tri tip, sear all sides in a skillet first. Then roast at 425°F for 15-25 minutes until it reaches your desired internal temp. Let rest before slicing.
What is a good marinade for tri tip?
Great marinade options include soy sauce, garlic, ginger, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, red wine, and herbs like rosemary and thyme.
How do you keep tri tip moist?
Sear over high heat to lock in juices, let rest before slicing, slice thinly across the grain, and avoid overcooking beyond medium doneness. A marinade or finish glaze will also add moisture.
Can you cook tri tip from frozen?
It’s best to thaw tri tip in the refrigerator before grilling or roasting.Cooking from frozen runs the risk of overcooking the exterior before the inside thaws.
Is tri tip better grilled or smoked?
Tri tip is delicious prepared either way! Grilling over high heat delivers excellent sear and flavor. Smoking at low temperature results in very tender, juicy meat.
Conclusion
Grilled tri tip roast makes for an amazing meal that’s perfect for backyard BBQs. For flavorful, juicy results, pat dry and generously season the meat. Sear over direct high heat before finishing over indirect heat with the grill lid closed. Cook to 5°F below your target temp, rest, then slice thinly across the grain. Experiment with different wood chips, marinades like chili lime or rosemary garlic, and compound butters. Pair your perfectly barbecued tri tip with grilled veggies, mashed potatoes, and salads. With these tips, you’ll be a tri tip pro in no time!