10 Favorite Tri-tip Recipes for Grilling, Roasting, and Slow Cooking

Santa Maria Grilled Tri-tip Beef

"Grilled Santa Maria-style tri-tip beef is a California classic," Chef John says. "If cooked properly, grilled beef tri-tip steak produces a very flavorful, extremely juicy piece of beef." The key to grilling the tri-tip is to get the signature very dark, caramelized crust; black on-the outside, pink on the inside. The tips of the tri-tip will be well done or medium well done; and as you slice inward toward the center, the meat will transition to medium and medium rare. So there's something for everyone. For the full Santa Maria barbecue experience, serve your grilled tri-tip with Santa Maria-style beans, salsa, and tortillas.

Easy Grilled Tri-tip

All you need here is a simple marinade of soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, and black pepper. "I've made this for BBQ parties," recipe contributor Erika says. "A great way to quickly grill large cuts of tri-tip beef. It's better than buying a bunch of steaks! You can even make it on a busy weeknight!"

Santa Maria-Style Tri-tip Roast

If grilling isn't in the cards, here's how to make Santa Maria tri-tip in the oven. "My family raves about this oven-cooked tri tip roast," says recipe contributor Pamlovestocook. "It's succulent, flavorful, and even my picky 5 year-old loves it! If you want to get a taste of southern California barbecue, this is it. Serve with fresh salsa, tortillas, rice, and beans. Enjoy!"

Tri-tip Roast

Here's another tri-tip prep for the oven. "I came up with recipe since I couldn't find many for this cut of beef (also known as a culoutte steak or bottom round sirloin)," says CHEFWANDA. "It was very easy to make and tender."

Thai-Dipped Beef Tri-tip

Back to the grill, as California meets Thailand. "I enjoy beef satay way more than I do skewering small pieces of beef," Chef John says. "Besides, I've never made satay, and not stuck a bamboo skewer into my finger at some point in the process. Not only did this involve less labor, but you can cook this in any number of ways."

Slow Cooker Cheese Steaks

Tri-tip simmers in the slow cooker with beef stock, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce for hours makes a mighty tasty cheese steak sandwich. "This recipe made for some tasty cheesesteaks," says camelteapot. I used provolone cheese and multi-colored peppers."

Peppercorn Roast Beef

This tri-tip travels from from stovetop to oven, emerging tender and moist. Coat your tri-tip with salt and ground peppercorns, then "age" overnight in the fridge. You'll make a quick, scrumptious pan sauce with the drippings. "Tri-tip works so perfectly for this," says Chef John. "And it's a very nice size for a dinner party. You can let the uncooked roast age overnight in the refrigerator if you like. The meat is so tender and juicy that you simply have to give it a try."

Oven-Roasted Tri-tip With Apricot and Pineapple Salsa

This oven-roasted tri-tip pairs up with a salsa made with dried apricots, canned pineapple tidbits, and minced jalapeno peppers. "It's too cold to grill outside, so the oven finished off this tri-tip," says Bibi. "We enjoyed it with steamed white rice and broccoli."

Spartan Tri-tip Chili

Tri-tip is a good cut for chili con carne, too. Here your tri-tip is cut into cubes and browned in a skillet and then combined with loads of good stuff including tomatoes, beer, tequila, jalapeno peppers, bacon, and seasonings. "This Texas-style chili (no beans) originated as a Michigan State tailgating dish," says AccountKiller. "Top with sharp Cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced fresh sweet onions, and tortilla chips."

The Best Beef Tri-tip

One more for low-heat roasting in the oven. This one requires no marinating or searing, just rub with spices and pop in the oven. "Beef tri-tip is affordable, flavorful, great for parties, and, using this low-temp roasting technique, nearly fool-proof," says Chef John. "Plate it up with a Romano bean salad or enjoy as a roast beef sandwich!"

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