Simple Grilled Tri-Tip Steak

Written by
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Derrick Riches
Updated 06/11/19
Simple grilled tri-tip steak

The Spruce
  • Total: 25 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Marinating Time: 2 hrs
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
616 Calories
33g Fat
8g Carbs
69g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 616
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 10g 49%
Cholesterol 203mg 68%
Sodium 820mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 69g
Calcium 78mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This easy tri-tip steak recipe uses a simple but flavorful marinade, followed by a hot-and-fast trip over the grill to seal in the flavors and keep the meat moist and tender. Serve this steak as the main attraction or in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. If you can't find a tri-tip that weighs 3 pounds, use two or more pieces that will total 3 pounds in weight.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds beef tri-tip steak
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Grilled Tri-Tip Steak recipe
     The Spruce

  2. In a small bowl, combine the white vinegar, vegetable oil, soy sauce, garlic, black pepper, and salt to make the marinade.

    Grilled Tri-Tip Steak
     The Spruce

  3. Make sure the marinade is mixed well and pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add tri-tip steak and make sure it is well coated. Using tongs, carefully turn steak over a few times in marinade. Seal bag, and let the steak marinate for 2 to 6 hours.

    Grilled Tri-Tip Steak recipe
    The Spruce

  4. Heat grill on high setting.

  5. Remove tri-tip steak from marinade and discard the marinade. Place steak on the preheated hot grill.

    Grilled Tri-Tip Steak recipe
     The Spruce

  6. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning a few times during the cooking process to get an even sear, including holding the sides against the grill for a few minutes to make sure all surfaces are seared. Remove steak once it has reached the desired temperature.

    Grilled Tri-Tip Steak recipe
     The Spruce

  7. Rest steak for 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure to tent with aluminum foil if the rest time is longer than 5 minutes or if you are waiting for other items to come off the grill so the meat does not become cold.

    Grilled Tri-Tip Steak recipe
     The Spruce

  8. Slice tri-tip against the grain in thin pieces and serve with your favorite sides like Santa Maria pinquito beans.

    Grilled Tri-Tip Steak recipe
     The Spruce

More About Tri-Tip Steak

Tri-tip, also known as triangle steak, comes from the bottom sirloin cut of beef. It is often ground up for hamburger meat, but in the 1950s, the tradition of grilling it began in Santa Maria, California.

It is a lower-cost cut of beef that is full of flavor because it has excellent marbling, but it can become tough if you overcook it. You really shouldn't cook it past medium or 150 F and 145 F is preferred.

Variations

Even though tri-tip that is marinated simply is excellent on its own, the meat lends itself well to other flavors and is popular in most cuisines worldwide. For an Asian spin, try sesame-ginger tri-tip or for a taste of the islands, Jamaican jerk tri-tip fills the bill. Head South of the Border for grilled tri-tip steak tacos or try grilled tri-tip in a sandwich with caramelized onion. The uses for tri-tip steak are limited only by your imagination.

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