Want to wow friends at your next backyard gathering? Serve them a type of steak they’ve probably never heard of: tri-tip steak. This lean, tender steak is usually more affordable than other steaks, but it has a full-flavored characteristic that’s missing from other cuts. It tastes great even if you don’t use a fancy dry rub or marinade!
It’s easy to learn how to cook tri-tip steak, too, because it tastes best when cooked over high heat. That means it was basically made for the grill!
What Is a Tri-Tip Steak?
Tri-tip steak is steak from a tri-tip roast, a triangular-shaped cut from the bottom sirloin. It may be called bottom sirloin steak or Santa Maria steak because it was popularized in California. The boneless roast is usually cut into one-inch-thick steaks, a perfect size for grilling or searing in a cast-iron pan.
Like other sirloin cuts, tri-tip steak is lean, so you won’t find the same fat cap that’s on a ribeye or New York strip. Tri-tip is well-marbled, though, so it should have plenty of white flecks of intramuscular fat. Put it all together and the result is a steak with a rich, beef-forward flavor you won’t find in other cuts.
If you can’t find tri-tip steak at the grocery store, use the opportunity to visit your local butcher. They can usually special-order cuts like tri-tip upon request.
How to Grill Tri-Tip Steak
The grill’s high heat is ideal for cooking tri-tip steak. Tri-tip doesn’t have as much fat as other beef steaks, so there’s nothing to render out with low cooking temperatures. The grill flash-cooks the meat, creating a nice sear on the outside while preserving the juices inside.
Start by preheating the grill to high heat. A charcoal grill will impart the most flavor into the meat, but a gas grill works just fine. Add the steaks and cook them for about 6 to 7 minutes. Flip the steaks and cook for another five to six minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. If your steaks are thinner than one inch thick, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.
How to Broil Tri-Tip Steak
If you don’t have a grill or the weather isn’t cooperating, cook your tri-tip steak inside under the broiler. The broiler works the same way as the grill except the heat comes from above.
Preheat the broiler using the High setting on your oven. Position an oven rack three to four inches below the heat. Place the steak on a broiler pan and slide it onto the oven rack. Cook for four to five minutes per side, reducing the cooking time if your steaks are thinner than one inch thick.
How to Pan Sear Tri-Tip Steak
One of the most convenient ways to cook a tri-tip steak is in a cast-iron skillet or carbon-steel pan. You’ll want to be sure the pan is large enough to hold the steaks without overcrowding, which can cause the steak to steam instead of getting a nice sear.
Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of neutral oil until it’s shimmering and almost smoking. Add the steak, reducing the heat to medium. Cook for five to six minutes per side for one-inch-thick steaks. If the steaks become too charred on the outside before they reach a medium-rare temperature, transfer the pan to a 350° oven. Continue cooking until the steaks reach an internal temperature of 135°.
How to Oven Roast Tri-Tip Steak
We don’t recommend oven-roasting tri-tip steaks. Home ovens don’t get hot enough, so this cooking method just isn’t quick enough to cook the steak properly. The steak will become dry on the inside without a proper sear on the outside, so we suggest looking to other cooking methods.
If you find yourself with a whole tri-tip roast, that’s another story. The whole roast tastes fantastic when it’s cooked in a 400° oven for about 35 to 45 minutes. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to determine when the roast reaches 135°.
Tips for Cooking Tri-Tip Steak
What temperature should tri-tip be cooked to?
Tri-tip steak is well-marbled, but it’s leaner than most steaks. We suggest cooking it to medium-rare (135°F) and letting it rest for five minutes before slicing. If you like your steak more well done, you can take it as far as medium (145°), but cooking it further can cause it to become dry and tough.
How do you keep tri-tip from drying out?
To ensure your tri-tip turns out juicy and delicious, be sure to cook it over very high heat but be careful to prevent the meat from overcooking. It’s really best to probe it with an instant-read meat thermometer and pull it from the grill when it reaches 135°. If you want to cook your tri-tip steak further, we suggest marinating it first. The marinade will infuse the meat with extra flavor, building in a little overcooking protection.
Finally, do not skip the resting step. That’s one of the mistakes most people make that turns a perfect steak into a dry steak! Let your steak rest for five to ten minutes before slicing it to allow the juices a chance to redistribute within the meat.
How do you tenderize tri-tip?
Tri-tip doesn’t need to be tenderized because it’s already a naturally tender cut. If you want to enhance its flavor, you can marinate it for two to three hours before cooking it. Adding acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar to the marinade will help break down the muscle fibers, making the steak more tender.
Instead of trying to tenderize tri-tip, the best way to ensure your steak tastes tender is to slice it against the grain before serving. Slicing meat against the grain shortens the muscle fibers, making each bite easier to chew.
How to Serve Tri-Tip Steak
Tri-tip steak takes on seasonings, rubs and marinades exceptionally well, so you have your choice when serving it. It tastes incredible when seasoned simply with salt and pepper and served with your favorite steakhouse side dishes. You can also fancy it up by using Southwest spices, slicing the cooked steak into long strips and serving it on a bed of lettuce with corn, tomatoes and avocado for a filling salad. You can’t go wrong by marinating it in beer and lime juice, either, using the medium-rare steak to make grilled onion and steak tacos.
One of our favorite ways to enjoy tri-tip steak is to turn it into sandwiches. The lean, flavor-forward beef tastes fantastic on a crusty ciabatta roll with mushrooms, peppers and onions.
Menu Inspiration for Your Tri-Tip Steak
Tenderloin Steak DianeFor this classic skillet steak dinner, just sear the steaks in butter and top with a gorgeously silky mushroom cream sauce. It’s elegant and effortless all at once.
Cast-Iron Skillet SteakYou definitely don’t have to keep steak for special occasions. One of the easiest ways to cook it is seared in a cast-iron skillet with or without butter. All you need after that is a nice
leafy salad to complete the meal.
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Steak with Chipotle-Lime ChimichurriChimichurri is a piquant herb sauce that complements steak perfectly. Once you learn how to make the sauce, you'll want to serve it all summer long.
Asian Slaw with SteakYou won’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen with this dish as both the Asian-inspired coleslaw and the grilled steak come together quickly. Just the thing for breezy nights, the colorful combo is perfect for summer gatherings of any size.
Steaks with Mushroom SauceBy using top sirloin, this dish is great for a weeknight dinner for two or four. The rich mushroom-wine sauce brings out the best of the beef-forward flavor, and it tastes great with sides like roasted potatoes and green beans.
Quick Pepper SteakWith a simple sweet and savory sauce, sliced sirloin and fresh bell peppers, this skillet supper comes together in a flash. Serve it with steamed white, brown or cauliflower rice for a fuller meal.
Beef Steaks with Blue CheeseBroil, grill or quickly sear these steaks in a cast-iron pan to get a nice caramelized crust on the outside while keeping the meat tender inside. The size of the steaks, blue cheese topping and croutons can easily be cut in half for smaller portion sizes.
Flank Steak PinwheelsButterfly and flatten a flank steak so there’s a large surface area for this savory red pepper and spinach stuffing. Roll it up, wrap in bacon (yes!) and grill for a few minutes. Once sliced, serve with a delicious creamy blue cheese sauce.
Key West Flank SteakFlank steak is great for the grill, especially with this lime and garlic marinade, and it cooks quickly, just a few minutes per side. After letting it rest, slice against the grain. Need more ideas for this economical cut of beef? Check out some of our other
flank steak recipes.
Zesty Steak SaladCook marinated top sirloin steak for this zesty salad, or feel free to use leftover steak from another meal. While the base is leafy romaine lettuce, add anything else you love to the bowl, from cucumbers and mushrooms to cheese.
Air-Fryer Steak FajitasOf course you can make steak in the air fryer! This marinated flank steak takes less than 10 minutes. While you let it rest, slice avocado, onion and lime wedges for serving.
Mushroom Steak Salad with Walnut VinaigretteThis steak salad is a great date night steak recipe because it’s impressive but easy to throw together for any night of the week. Serve with some crusty bread and a great bottle of wine.
Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak TacosSkirt steak is usually a pretty tough cut with lots of connective tissue. That’s why you want to use something like this beer and lime marinade to tenderize it and add flavor. Like other
grilled steak recipes, a quick sear over the fire is all it takes.
Beef Filets with Portobello SauceThese steaks with a rich and savory portobello mushroom sauce are a perfect meal for two. Complete the meal with zesty potatoes, a leafy salad and a hunk of great bread.
Flank Steak with Cilantro & Blue Cheese ButterOnce you learn a great
steak marinade recipe, you’ll be able to turn even the toughest cut of meat into a delicious dinner. This sweet citrus marinade transforms flank steak into a tender flavorful cut.
Garlic Grilled SteaksElevate your grilled strip or ribeye steaks with this amazing garlic mixture. Have extra? Learn how to repurpose last night’s dinner into one of these amazing
leftover steak recipes.
Citrus Steak SaladThere are so many wonderful flavors in this salad, thanks to fresh greens, mandarin oranges, strawberries and a citrusy vinaigrette. The only thing you need to cook is the steak, and dinner is on the table in no time.
Flank Steak with CouscousFor this recipe, use sirloin steak if you prefer it over flank steak. Both take only minutes to broil and have lots of beefy flavor. Make sure to cut against the grain for the most tender pieces.
Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream CheeseThe sharp peppery flavor of horseradish has always been a great foil for a rich, juicy steak. Blend it with cream cheese, parmesan and parsley for a delicious steak topper, and serve with a classic baked potato.
Teriyaki Steak SkewersThese teriyaki steak skewers will be the hit of your next backyard barbecue. The aroma alone will get everyone’s attention, but once they taste the sweet and savory marinade, they’ll be hooked. You can easily double or triple this recipe for a crowd.
Southwest Steak & PotatoesMake this whole meal on the grill for your next cookout. The steak gets a brush of vinegar and Worcestershire before a rub of zesty spices, and the potatoes taste great with a little char from the fire.
Maple & Blue Cheese SteakA marinade of balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and Dijon adds a ton of flavor to this steak, and it complements the sharp blue cheese topping. Any cut that you’d grill works here, including sirloin, strip or ribeye.
Grilled Steaks with Greek RelishThe sharpness of tomatoes, lemon, onion and feta is the perfect foil for a deliciously rich ribeye. Serve it with this
Creamy Roasted Garlic and Spinach Orzo side dish for a more authentic Mediterranean meal.
Smoky Espresso SteakWith espresso, cocoa and pumpkin pie spice, it may sound like you’re making dessert, but it’s actually a delicious rub that transforms broiled or grilled flat iron steak into a flavor bomb.
Grilled Steaks with Marinated TomatoesTalk about peak summer. Sometimes all you need for a perfectly grilled steak is a side of fresh garden tomatoes marinated in raspberry vinaigrette and fresh herbs and spices. A side of cheesy potatoes or sauteed green beans work, too!
Garlic-Rubbed T-Bones with Burgundy MushroomsPorterhouse or T-bone steaks are great on the grill, especially when rubbed with garlic and served with wine-soaked mushrooms. Take dinner to another level with
creamy twice-baked potatoes and a Caesar salad.
Chili-Rubbed Steak & Bread SaladThe chili-rubbed grilled steak and fresh vegetables make this panzanella-like salad a one-bowl meal. Use thick-cut bread for the cubes so they can soak up all the flavors.
Grilled Ribeyes with Herb ButterWith Dijon and herbs de Provence, this full-flavored marinade practically takes you to the French countryside. After the steaks come off the grill, top with a savory herb butter. For something more American, try our new obsession:
cowboy butter.
Chipotle-Honey Grilled T-BonesFor all the heat lovers out there, these T-bones have a spicy kick. Great on the grill or seared indoors, make these the centerpiece of a Tex Mex-inspired dinner.
Peppered Ribeye SteaksThis peppery DIY steak rub brings out all the beefy flavor of grilled ribeye steaks. Pair it with a
sweet corn and tomato salad for a perfect summer meal.
Grilled Steak PinwheelsEasy to prepare, steak pinwheels make a statement, especially with this savory mushroom filling. It’s a great summertime option when the grill (and the days and nights) are hot and you want to keep the kitchen cool.
Saucy Skillet SteaksButter, Dijon and onion turns an everyday steak dinner into something special. Ribeyes are the choice cut for this steak recipe, but you can do the same with a NY strip or tenderloin; the sauce is even great on chicken or burgers.
Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Scotched MushroomsYou’ve seen the bacon-wrapped filet mignon at the grocery store, but it’s just as easy to make at home. This recipe is perfect for two (yay, date night!), but it can easily be doubled or tripled for a dinner party.
Merlot Filet MignonRemember: when you’re cooking with wine, don’t use the cheap stuff; cook with one you’d like to drink. It makes all the difference in a buttery wine sauce like this.
Chocolate-Chipotle Sirloin SteakCocoa powder won’t make your steak sweet. Unsweetened chocolate adds depth and color to steak. It’s also a perfect complement to smoky chipotle peppers. Here are some other surprising
ingredients that take your steak from good to great.
Steak with Citrus SalsaIn the summer, this lime marinade perks up grilled steaks. In the winter, broiled or pan-seared steaks get a blast of sunshine from citrus salsa.
Skillet Steak SupperBecause everything for this quick and easy meal is cooked in one skillet, prep work and cleanup is a breeze. The delicious wine and mushroom sauce will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen, though.
Ginger Steak Fried RiceTurn leftover rice and steak into a quick fried rice. Broccoli slaw mix and frozen peas make it an easy-peasy weeknight meal.
Spicy Flank SteakSpice up a flank steak with red pepper flakes and chili powder, and then serve with a cool sour cream sauce. If you prefer, grill the steak over medium-high heat rather than broiling.
Updated: Jul. 23, 2021
