Tri tip steak is a flavorful and juicy cut of beef that’s perfect for grilling. With the right preparation and cooking technique, you can make incredibly tender, delicious tri tip steaks at home on your barbecue grill. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to bbq tri tip steak to perfection.
Selecting and Preparing Tri Tip Steak for Grilling
Choosing a High-Quality Tri Tip Steak
When selecting tri tip steaks for grilling, you’ll want to look for:
- Marbling – Good marbling between the muscle fibers is vital for flavor and tenderness. Look for small streaks of fat evenly distributed throughout the meat. Avoid tri tip steaks with large chunks of fat.
- Thickness – 1.5 to 2 inches thick is ideal. Thinner cuts will dry out on the grill. Thicker cuts will be hard to cook evenly.
- Freshness – Bright red color and firm, moist texture. Dry or brown spots indicate an older steak.
- Weight – Tri tip roasts are usually 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. Pick a steak size suitable for the number of people you’re serving.
Proper Seasoning
Seasoning is key for maximum flavor when grilling steaks. Here are some tips:
- Salt – Salt the steaks at least 40 minutes before cooking. The salt will penetrate deep into the meat.
- Spice rub – For more flavor, coat both sides of the steaks with a dry spice rub. Ideas: garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, cracked pepper.
- Oil – Rub a thin layer of oil over the steaks to help the seasoning adhere.
- Avoid marinades – Marinades make tri tip steaks mushy on the grill. Use a dry rub only.
Bringing the Steak to Room Temperature
Take the tri tip steaks out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes before grilling. This helps them cook more evenly and prevents a cold center.
How to Grill Tri Tip Steak Perfection
Grilling tri tip steak takes some technique to get perfectly caramelized outsides while keeping the interior moist and tender. Follow these tips for success.
Grilling Methods
You can grill tri tip steak either directly over the flames or using indirect heat:
- Direct – Cooks the steaks faster with more charring. Use for thinner cuts or if you like well-done.
- Indirect – Slower cooking method. Perfect for thicker steaks. Gives you more control over doneness.
Getting the Grill Ready
- Two-zone fire – For indirect grilling, set up a hot zone and a cooler zone using charcoal or gas burners.
- Temperature – Heat your grill to medium high, around 375-400°F.
- Clean grates – Oil and preheat the grill grates. This prevents sticking.
Grilling Times and Temperatures
- 2 inches thick – Grill for 10-12 minutes total. Sear 4 minutes direct heat, finish 6-8 minutes indirect heat.
- 1.5 inches thick – Grill for 8-10 minutes total. Sear 3 minutes direct heat, finish 5-7 minutes indirect heat.
- 1 inch thick – Grill for 6-8 minutes total. Sear 2 minutes direct heat, finish 4-6 minutes indirect heat.
Internal Temperature
Use an instant read thermometer to test doneness. Remove tri tip steaks from grill when they reach:
- Rare – 120-125°F
- Medium rare – 130-135°F
- Medium – 140-145°F
- Medium well – 150-155°F
- Well done – 160+°F
Letting the Steak Rest
After grilling, transfer the tri tip steaks to a cutting board and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Letting the steaks rest for 5-10 minutes allows juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. Don’t skip this step!
Serving and Sauces for Grilled Tri Tip Steak
Grilled tri tip steak is delicious served as-is, but sauces and sides can take it to the next level.
Serving Suggestions
Slice grilled tri tip steak thinly across the grain before serving. This yields the most tender bites. Great serving ideas include:
- On rolls as tri tip sandwiches with pickle and onion
- Sliced over a salad
- With roasted potatoes or grilled veggies
- With rice pilaf or beans
Sauce Ideas
Consider one of these easy sauces to complement the flavor of grilled tri tip steak:
- Chimichurri – Fresh herb sauce with olive oil, garlic, and vinegar
- Horseradish cream – Mix prepared horseradish into sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Steak sauce – Classic A1 or Heinz 57 sauces
- Béarnaise – Tarragon-infused rich and creamy butter sauce
- Red wine reduction – Simmer red wine, herbs, and spices into a glaze
- Salsa – Fresh pico de gallo, salsa verde, or avocado salsa
FAQs About Grilling Tri Tip Steak
Get answers to the most common questions people have about cooking tri tip steak on the barbecue grill.
What Is Tri Tip Steak?
Tri tip steak, also called “triangle roast,” comes from the bottom sirloin section of the cow. This small triangular cut has grain running in two different directions. It’s very flavorful and stays tender during grilling.
Where Can I Buy Tri Tip Steak?
Look for tri tip steak at warehouse stores like Costco, or ask your local butcher. Tri tip used to be more common on the west coast but is gaining popularity nationwide.
Can You Grill Frozen Tri Tip?
It’s best to thaw tri tip steak completely before grilling to ensure even cooking. Thick cuts may take 2-3 days to thaw in the refrigerator. Defrost in the microwave immediately before grilling if short on time.
Should You Marinate Tri Tip for Grilling?
We don’t recommend marinating tri tip steak. The acid in marinades can start “cooking” the meat, turning it mushy on the grill. For lots of flavor, coat the steaks with a dry rub instead.
How Do You Keep Tri Tip From Drying Out?
Avoid overcooking to prevent dry tri tip steak. Use an instant read thermometer to take the steaks off the grill at the perfect moment. Grilling with indirect heat rather than direct heat helps too.
Can You Grill Tri Tip Well Done?
You can grill tri tip to any doneness, but be aware the meat may get tougher and drier cooked past medium. To get a good char while still achieving well-done, sear the steaks briefly over direct heat then move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
How Long Does It Take to Grill 1 Inch Thick Tri Tip?
For a 1 inch thick tri tip steak, plan on about 6-8 minutes total cooking time. Sear 2 minutes over direct heat then finish for 4-6 minutes over indirect heat, until it reaches your desired internal temperature.
Conclusion
With its robust beefy flavor and tenderness, tri tip steak is a classic choice for summer grilling. Preparing tri tip on a hot grill results in a deliciously charred exterior and juicy, pink interior when sliced. Use direct and indirect heating zones to achieve perfect doneness. Let the steaks rest before slicing thinly across the grain. Pair grilled tri tip steaks with chimichurri, horseradish cream, or other bold sauces to complement the meat. Follow this guide for foolproof tips on how to bbq tri tip steak that your family and friends will devour. The next time you fire up the barbecue, throw some seasoned tri tip steaks over the flames for an easy yet impressive grilled meal.