Smoked Tri-Tip (2024)

FAQs

How long to smoke a tri tip at 225? ›

The amount of time it takes to cook a tri tip depends on the size and also the level of doneness you're going for. At 225 degrees Fahrenheit, a 2-pound tri tip takes an hour for rare, to an hour and a half for medium-rare. A 3-pound tri tip requires about 90 minutes for rare, and 2 hours for medium-rare.

Muscle fibers tense and toughen up at high temperatures, which causes the meat to be tough and chewy. Not to mention the added smokey flavor. You could cook a tri-tip low and slow the whole way, but you can't beat finishing with a quick sear over high heat to develop a flavorful crust.

Place tri-tip on smoker unwrapped for 60-90 minutes. Cook until internal temperature reaches 125 – 130 degrees F for rare and remove. Wrap tri-tip in foil and let rest for 15 minutes. When slicing any cut of beef, it's important to slice against or perpendicular to the grains.

Our Advice. It will be best to keep the food smoker closed for the whole duration and pick either fat side up or down. If you choose the fat side up, you may end up with a more tender product. If you go for the fat side down, you can retain the flavor you rubbed on the surface.

Place tri-tip on a baking rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Allow to sit at room temperature as the smoker heats up.

I've done this enough to know about what it needs to look like in order to get a good result. For this tri-tip, I coated one side and then flipped it over to do the other side.

Tri tip is a steak-like cut with very little connective tissue, and that means it should be cooked to the same doneness as a steak would be: 130°–135°F (54–57°C) for medium-rare or 135°–145°F (57–63°C) for medium. The temperature to cook the tri tip at is kind of up to you.

The best techniques for how to cook tri-tip steak are fast-cooking methods, meaning less time in the kitchen and more time for eating. This particular cut comes from the bottom sirloin, which also makes a delicious roast.

The longer you cook tri-tip the more tender it will become, so you can choose your time according to what you are trying to accomplish. For a more traditional texture you can cook it until it is just heated through, usually 3 to 4 hours.

Tri tip is traditionally grilled over a hot, red oak fire. However in this recipe we are going to reverse sear it where we smoke the tri tip and then sear it at the end. The reverse sear is a great method for an uneven cut of meat such as a tri tip.

How to make tri tip fall apart? ›

The key to being able to smoke a tri tip like a brisket (low and slow so you get fall-apart meat goodness) is to begin with a Prime cut tri tip. You need enough fat in your steak because tri tip is leaner than a brisket.

For smoked tri tip, our preference is to leave the fat cap on. A trimmed tri tip has had most of the fat removed, making it leaner but potentially drier when cooked. The one advantage of removing the fat cap is that there is more surface area for seasonings or a dry rub.

How long does it take to smoke tri tip? Smoked tri tip cooks at 225 degrees F. You can plan on it taking approximately 30 minutes per pound of meat. The best way to gauge when your meat is done is to insert a digital probe thermometer into the thickest part of the roast.

My tri tip marinade starts with a base of olive oil plus red wine and balsamic vinegar. The oil adds a little extra fat and helps tenderize the meat. The acid in the vinegar does its part, too, breaking down the steak's tough fibers.

Triangular in shape (hence the name), the muscle is hefty enough that it also lends itself to being smoked whole. Here's the part that makes it extra awesome – unlike so many low'n'slow cuts, tri tip can be ready in just about an hour.

The longer you cook tri-tip the more tender it will become, so you can choose your time according to what you are trying to accomplish.

Tri tip is a steak-like cut with very little connective tissue, and that means it should be cooked to the same doneness as a steak would be: 130°–135°F (54–57°C) for medium-rare or 135°–145°F (57–63°C) for medium. The temperature to cook the tri tip at is kind of up to you.

Remove the tri tip from the grill and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Slice against the grain, then serve.