Chef Bob Loves To Grill Tri Tip Steak!
 Bob's proven grilling method of cooking tri tip steak will secure your backyard barbecue fame! This little known sirloin cut is fast becoming popular because...
Tri tip steak, or tri tip roast? Both terms are often used interchangeably to describe the small roast cut from the bottom of the sirloin. Here, we are talking about a tri tip roast cut cross grain into about five 1" steaks. Can't get Tri Tip? Tell the butcher what you want. Look at our "Tri Tip Secrets" page for the information the butcher needs to cut/order your tri tip The stuff you'll need: Meat For the best tri tip steak, buy "Prime" or "Choice" grades of tri tip, and never use "Select" grade. Why? "Select" does not have the marbling (the white fat running through the muscle). Even Chef Bob can't grill a "select" grade steak! The more fat, the better it cooks and tastes! We buy the freshest, "choice" grade for maximum flavor, and reasonable cost. If there are no steaks showing in the case, ask the butcher for a whole roast, and have it cut into 1" steaks, if you do not wish to do it yourself. Gas Grill To barbecue tri tip steak on a gas grill you will need at least a good two burner model. You have to get the heat to at least 375°F/191°C, or better.
Charcoal Grill The bigger, the better! Well, we're rather passionate about BBQ. A well made smaller kettle type grill (our very favorite is the Weber) Chimney Starter For the charcoal smoker folks this is the best way to start, and maintain, the coals. If you've never used one of these ingenious tools, you're going to love the experience! Our favorite top performer is the Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter Tongs Always use tongs! Never use a that fork included with most BBQ sets, as it lets the juices escape. Long and strong is the secret. We like the Lodge Camp Dutch Oven 16-Inch Stainless Steel Tongs, Oven/Grill thermometer We've learned not to rely on the "built in" ones. Our favorites are the Taylor Precision Classic Oven Thermometer Instant-Read probe type thermometer To ensure your steak has reached your ideal temperature, we use the fast reading CDN Proaccurate Stainless Digital Thermometer. Spices Our tri tip steak recipe includes a simple rub, and we love it. It consists of only salt (kosher or course sea salt), black pepper (freshly ground), and garlic (granular or powder), however... Try putting together your own by adding one or more of these basic fresh ingredients:
A great tri tip steak recipe starts with a rub! The tri tip steak is first "rubbed", with a simple, dry, spice accented rub. All for that unforgettable tender, perfectly seasoned, eating experience! Let's start with a classic rub that will impart all of the flavors your drooling chops are hankerin' for. You can adjust the recipe (as the "pros" do) to make it "yours". Mix together thoroughly the following:
Let's prepare the meat... NOTE: Tri tip steaks should always be kept in the refrigerator (below 40°F/4.4°C) prior to preparation. We have found that for best cooking results, we remove the steaks from the refrigerator, and let them come to room temperature.
Get the Grill Ready
For the charcoal grill folks... NOTE: Please, if you use a charcoal lighter fluid, be sure to allow the coals to burn to a grey/white ash coating (30-45 minutes) to be rid of the noxious smell/taste. There are several good "fire-starters" on the market that will not taint the meat, or impart potentially dangerous chemicals to the food. We highly recommend a good quality chimney charcoal starter because it's the quickest (and easiest) way to start the coals. Do not bother with self-lighting charcoal. It never burns "clean" and always taints the meat with that nasty petroleum flavor.
Cook 'Em NOTE: Grilling tri tip steak is an art. Practice will make you an expert. Our suggested cooking times in minutes are: Divide time in half for each side, and watch carefully. Tri tip steak will be tough if over cooked! Use your tongs and place the steaks on the grill. If you are using a charcoal grill, there is sufficient heat to "sear" the steaks, ie; let them cook on one side just long enough get those grill marks, and quickly brown the meat, then flip them over. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side and be careful not to over cook. On a propane grill, go 2-3 minutes on each side, and watch carefully to prevent over cooking. To know when they are done we use the pressure test, or a great instant read thermometer. With your tongs, press the meat looking for ...
When done, remove the steaks and place on a warm platter to "rest" for about 3 minutes. Resting tri tip steak is important as this allows the juices to return to the meat's center. Serve Em!... ...for the Cookin' Cousins" taste, we eat 'em just as they are, but many folks like a "finishing sauce". This is nothing more than a barbecue sauce, of your choice, served as a side dish (or two), for the folks who would like to put something more on their ribs. Lets eat!  Custom Search
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