What exactly is tri tip? The tri tip is a tender and delicious cut of beef. It is situated near the bottom of the sirloin, which is placed along the cow’s spine just before the hip bone protrusion.
The tri tip is around 2 thick and 6 to 12 long. A single cow produces two tri tip cuts weighing between 2lb (907g) to 4lb (1.8kg).
Contents
- How to Select a Tri-Tip
- 3 Steps To BBQ A Tri Tip
- How to Cut a Tri Tip
- FAQs
- How long does tri-tip take to BBQ?
- What is the best way to grill a tri-tip?
- How long does it take to barbecue a 2 lb tri-tip?
- What is the best temperature to barbecue a tri-tip?
- Should I wrap tri-tip in foil on BBQ?
- Do you grill tri tip direct or indirect?
- Do you grill tri tip with lid open or closed?
- Do you cook tri-tip fast or slow?
- How do you cook tri-tip so it’s tender?
- Do you close the grill when cooking tri-tip?
How to Select a Tri-Tip
or green, do not purchase or use it.A few elements must be considered while selecting a tri tip for the grill. If it’s not looking right, like any other cut of beef,
- Capacity for Fat Butchers often trim the fat cap off the outside of a tri tip cut. Most people are unaware that the fat cap is a vital component that adds taste and moisture to the meat. Barbecuing a tri tip without the fat cap might result in chewy, dry meat. Request that your butcher cut a tri tip with the fat cap intact.
- Silver Skin Tri tips have silver skin (tough connective tissue) on one side as well. Allow your butcher to remove the silver skin since it might be difficult to remove at home without losing a significant piece of the meat.
- Steak or roast? The only difference between BBQ and smokers is the size of the cut. Again, on average, a tri tip cut will be little more than 2 thick. The roast version just indicates a lengthier chunk.
- Tri-Tip culotte is also known as triangular roast, triangle-tip, bottom sirloin butt, and corner cut.
3 Steps To BBQ A Tri Tip
1. Seasoning
The meat is first seasoned with a dry rub.
Sauces are used in other types of barbecue, but tri tips are virtually always flavored with a dry combination of spices and sugar.
Simple Dry Rub Recipe
- Salt & Pepper
- Paprika
- Brown Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Oregano
- Cayenne Pepper
Lindberg Snider Porterhouse & Roast Seasoning is available on Amazon.
Don’t worry about weighing out the components precisely. A dry rub is often a trial and error procedure that results in a rub that becomes your own personal mix.
Coat the meat evenly with the dry rub. One tablespoon of dry rub per pound of meat is a fair rule of thumb.
Ensure that the rub is well pressed into the meat so that it does not come off when grilled and contributes to the creation of a nice crust around the meat.
Wrap the meat in cling wrap and place it in the refrigerator for up to 10 hours after the dry rub or marinade has been rubbed into it. It is critical to allow the meat to acclimatize to room temperature after taking it from the refrigerator so that it cooks evenly.
Begin prepping the grill while the meat is acclimating.
2. BBQ Time
Preheat your grill or barbecue to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
If possible, avoid placing the fat cap left on your tri tip directly over any burners to help prevent flare-ups.
Otherwise, keep a spray bottle nearby and keep an eye on it at all times.
Place the tri tip on the grill for approximately 15 minutes before turning it.
Cooking times may vary based on the size of the cut and the actual temperature of the grill. However, it will need another 15-20 minutes to cook.
See How To Grill A Steak for more information on cooking temperatures.
ALSO READ: What is the difference between barbecue and grilling?
3. Let The Meat Rest
Turn the tri tip over and wrap it in tin foil or a closed container. Allow at least 10-15 minutes for the meat to rest before cutting.
Allowing the meat to rest is crucial because it will continue to cook and circulate the juices throughout the meat.
If you cut it too soon, you’ll have a pool of juice and a dry piece of meat. Don’t worry, unless you’re outdoors in the winter, it won’t get chilly if it’s securely covered.
How to Cut a Tri Tip
CuttingTip Tri Tip It might be harsh if you cut it in the incorrect way.
Examine the tri tip for the grain pattern of the flesh. The grain pattern will shift direction about the center of the tri tip.
Slice the tri tip in half where the grain pattern changes, then across the grain.
FAQs
How long does tri-tip take to BBQ?
Grilling tri tip will take 30-50 minutes. The amount of time it takes to cook the beef depends on how well done you prefer your meat and the constancy of the temperature on your grill.
What is the best way to grill a tri-tip?
Preheat the gas grill to 500 degrees F. Grill the tri tip for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until both sides have grill marks. Reduce the heat to 400°F and continue grilling, turning every 4 to 6 minutes, until the tri tip is done to your liking.
How long does it take to barbecue a 2 lb tri-tip?
A 2-pound roast will take around 20 to 25 minutes to cook. When an instant-read thermometer put into the thickest section of the meat registers 130 degrees, the roast is done. Rest the roast for 10 to 20 minutes on a chopping board. Cut against the grain.
What is the best temperature to barbecue a tri-tip?
Preheat the grill to medium (300-400°F). Grill for 20 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. Every several minutes, flip the tri-tip. If the grill cooks unevenly, turn it around.
Should I wrap tri-tip in foil on BBQ?
Wrap the tri-tip in foil and set it in a small cooler (without ice) to keep warm for 30-60 minutes. This will prolong the cooking process, resulting in medium doneness. Furthermore, when the liquids gently redistribute into the flesh, it makes the cut exceedingly soft.
Do you grill tri tip direct or indirect?
An indirect heat cook followed by a direct heat sear is the additional TLC a tri-tip need. This two-stage grilling procedure, driven by precise temperature control, enables this irregularly shaped piece of beef to achieve its delicate, juicy best.
Do you grill tri tip with lid open or closed?
Grilling with the lid on or off – When searing steaks and needing to keep an eye on it, leave the lid open. After switching to indirect heat, you may cover the lid and let the smoke do its work.
Do you cook tri-tip fast or slow?
A slow-cooked tri-tip steak dinner may be the finest option if you require shredded or strips of beef for fajitas, tacos, salads, or sandwiches. It’s not only quick to cook when you need something ready to eat after a hard day, but it’s also a good and filling dinner.
How do you cook tri-tip so it’s tender?
Tri tip, like flank steak, has a rich taste. You may marinade the meat for a few hours to ensure it is soft and juicy. Marinating the meat is my preferred method of tenderizing it. Not only is it quick and simple, but the meat comes out absolutely moist and flavorful!
Do you close the grill when cooking tri-tip?
Close the cover and grill the tri-tip for 20 to 30 minutes on the colder side of the grate, then flip it over and repeat. Unlike most steaks, sear the tri-tip after grilling to enable the charcoal-grilled aroma—and smoke flavor if you used wood chips—to enter the flesh.