Tri-Tip Steak Tacos

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Updated on 05/23/21
Tri-Tip Steak Tacos

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

Prep: 12 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Marinating Time: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 32 mins
Servings: 5 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
736 Calories
48g Fat
39g Carbs
41g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 5
Amount per serving
Calories 736
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 48g 61%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 132mg 44%
Sodium 1109mg 48%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 10g 35%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 41g
Vitamin C 19mg 96%
Calcium 117mg 9%
Iron 5mg 28%
Potassium 1094mg 23%
*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.)

If you love steak tacos, this recipe is sure to please. It's a wonderful go-to recipe for weeknight grilling on taco night or any casual get-together. You will want to think ahead, though, as you will need a few hours to marinate the meat.

Tri-tip steak is a flavorful cut from the bottom of the sirloin. It tends to be lower in fat and benefits from a good marinade to keep it from drying out during grilling. You also need to be sure not to overcook tri-tip. Medium rare to medium is best or you can end up with chewy, dried-out meat. It's good to use a meat thermometer as tri-tip can look less done than it is if you are just eye-balling it.

You can serve your tacos with a nice helping of refried beans and rice for a hearty meal. Other suggestions for side dishes include a green garden salad, Mexican-style slaw, corn salad, gazpacho soup, or grilled corn.

Ingredients

For Marinade:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 4 tablespoons lime juice

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 teaspoons onion powder

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder

  • 2 teaspoons paprika

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

For Tacos:

  • 1 1/2 pound tri-tip steak, cut in half lengthwise

  • 10 to 12 corn tortillas

  • 1 1/2 cups guacamole

  • 1 cup pico de gallo

  • 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Tri-Tip Steak Tacos ingredients

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  2. Combine oil, lime juice, cumin, Worcestershire, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

    Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  3. Place tri-tip pieces into a resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade over meat, seal bag, and massage marinade into meat. Refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.

    marinade and steak in a plastic bag

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  4. Preheat grill. Remove meat from bag and place onto grill. Discard marinade.

    steak on the grill

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  5. Cook tri-tip for 20 minutes, turning occasionally.

    steak cooking on the grill

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  6. During last half of cooking, wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and add to grill. Turn over a few times while tri-tip is cooking. Once beef has reached desired doneness, remove both steak and tortillas from grill. Rest meat for 5 minutes before carving.

    tortillas wrapped in aluminum foil and steak on the grill

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  7. After resting, transfer steak to a cutting board. Thinly slice steak on the bias (against the grain).

    sliced steak on a cutting board

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  8. To assemble tacos, simply add a few slices of grilled tri-tip to a tortilla. Top each taco with guacamole, pico de gallo, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Fold the tortillas and enjoy. Serve with your favorite sides.

    Tri-Tip Steak Tacos

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn