If you’ve heard of tri-tip steak but aren’t familiar with it, you might wonder what it is and how to cook it properly. Discover the tips you need to know for cooking tri-tip steak at home and learn more about why this meat is so popular.
What Is Tri-Tip?
Tri-tip is a specific cut of beef, well-known for its rich flavor. This cut gets its name from its triangular shape and tapered tip that comes from the bottom of a cut of sirloin. Due to its popularity in southern California, many people call tri-tip the “California cut.” For many people, tri-tip is the best of both worlds between a steak and a brisket. It has all the flavor of brisket and cooks like a tender piece of steak.
How To Cook Tri-Tip
There are many methods of cooking a tri-tip steak. You can cook smoke, barbecue, grill, or roast tri-tip cuts, depending on your favored cooking methods and materials you have on hand. The specifics for cooking tri-tip will depend on whichever method you choose; however, aim for around 45 minutes when cooking or smoking this cut.
When preparing it in the oven or on the grill, cook at a temperature of about 275 degrees Fahrenheit. No matter which cooking method you choose, you should always use a meat thermometer so that you know it’s ready to come off the heat. Aim for an internal temperature of 125-135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips for Cooking Tri-Tip Steak
Each person that cooks tri-tip will have different preferences, but the overall suggestion is to cook it to medium-rare and let it rest. Always let the meat rest after the cooking process. This lets the juices and flavors absorb back into the meat, whereas cutting into it directly after cooking will release this flavor. How you cut into this meat also matters. Look for where the two grains along the surface of the meat intersect—this is where you should slice the cut in half. Then, continue to cut against the grain for tender slices of meat.
Now that you better understand what tri-tip beef is and how to cook it properly, you can try your hand at making it yourself. Choose your favorite cooking method and use these tips to create a delicious and tender cut of steak. And if you’re looking for prime cuts of tri-tip and other meats, you can order meat online directly from our butcher shop here at Vincent’s Meat Market.
