Tri-tip is a type of flavorful cuts of beef that doesn’t want a lot added to it and cooks up quick. We use a fast rub and butter basting to present it a flavorful bark. It’s an ideal alternative whenever you wish to impress however don’t wish to overcomplicate issues.
Make it a meal and add a aspect of our Mediterranean Pasta Salad.
Why Our Recipe
- An excellent easy rub that will get the meat on the smoker quick and let’s all of the beefy taste shine.
- Low and sluggish smoking adopted by a sizzling sear for juicy tri-tip.
- Basted in butter and completed sizzling for an ideal crust.

This recipe is all about holding issues easy and simple. One of many huge appeals of the smoker is that it doesn’t need to be sophisticated to have actually scrumptious meals. Whether or not you’re new to tri-tip or it’s already a go-to in your BBQ lineup, this methodology will get persistently nice outcomes. We’ve additionally included pellet suggestions and slicing ideas so it seems excellent each time.
Ingredient Notes
- Tri-Tip Roast: Search for a 2-pound beef tri-tip roast with a great fats cap. This reduce is thought for its wealthy, beefy taste and advantages from a easy prep. You’ll want to notice the grain path earlier than cooking—it runs in two instructions, and also you’ll wish to slice it correctly later.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and provides somewhat moisture to the floor.
- Salt: Common desk salt works tremendous. If utilizing kosher salt, bump it as much as about 2 teaspoons
- Black Pepper: Freshly floor provides the most effective punch of taste, however pre-ground works too.
- Garlic Powder: Simply sufficient to reinforce the meat with out overpowering it.
- Salted Butter: Melted and used for basting throughout the sear. You may also use unsalted butter if that’s what you’ve got available.
Slicing In opposition to the Grain
Tri-tip is somewhat tough as a result of the grain runs in two completely different instructions. Earlier than you season or smoke it, take a second to take a look at the grain (the best way the strains seem within the meat) so you know the way to slice it later.
After resting the meat, begin on the smaller finish and slice till you hit the spot the place the grain adjustments path. Then rotate the meat and maintain slicing. Reducing towards the grain shortens the muscle fibers, making every chunk tremendous tender somewhat than chewy.
Pellet Suggestions
Oak or Hickory Pellets: Your go-to for daring, basic barbecue taste. Hickory is somewhat heavier, whereas oak provides you a pleasant balanced smoke that pairs completely with beef.
Cherry Pellets: Delicate, candy, and somewhat fruity. Provides simply sufficient smoke with out overpowering the meat, plus it provides an exquisite reddish coloration to the bark.
Combine It Up: We love combining oak or hickory with cherry. You get that deep, wealthy smoke with only a contact of sweetness and nice coloration.


Use a Meat Thermometer
Tri-tip can go from excellent to overcooked quick, so a meat thermometer is a should. Smoke it till the thickest half hits 125°F for medium-rare. After the new sear, it ought to attain 135°F to 140°F.
For medium, goal for 145°F, however we suggest pulling it sooner. Tri-tip actually shines at medium-rare to medium.
Makeshift Smoker
When you don’t have a pellet smoker, you may nonetheless make superb tri-tip on a fuel or charcoal grill! Simply you’ll want to monitor the grill temperature and add extra wooden chips as wanted to maintain the smoke going.
Fuel Grill: Flip one aspect on low and go away the opposite off. Place a smoker field or a foil pouch stuffed with wooden chips over the lit burner. Put the tri-tip on the unlit aspect and maintain the lid closed. Attempt to keep a gradual 225°F.
Charcoal Grill: Push all of the coals to 1 aspect and add soaked wooden chips or chunks straight on the coals. Place the tri-tip on the cooler aspect and regulate the vents to maintain the temperature round 225°F.
Storage & Reheating Directions
Refrigerate any leftover tri-tip in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
To Reheat in a Skillet: Add a small drizzle of olive oil or a little bit of butter to a skillet over medium warmth. Place the tri-tip slices within the skillet and warmth for two to three minutes per aspect till warmed by.