Santa Maria Style Tri Tip
Tri Tip Roast is rubbed with a smoky spice mix, briefly pan seared to caramelize the exterior, then roasted in the oven until rare and tender. It’s a delicious way to prepare beef for dinner.
Though it’s not known as one of the popular cuts of beef, it’s this recipe that has made Tri Tip one of my favorites.
Tri tip is a cut from the bottom of the sirloin area of the cow, that’s well-marbled and flavorful. It needs to be cooked right, but is by no means difficult to prepare.
It’s not a cut I probably ever would’ve picked up from the store on my own, but after my brother gifted me Thomas Keller’s cookbook Ad Hoc at Home for Christmas in 2011, his recipe for Santa Maria-style Tri Tip caught my eye and I set out to try it.
The story is basically that it was a less-desired piece of meat often given to ranch workers in the central California town of Santa Maria. The ranch workers learned how to rid the reputation of tasteless and flavorless and instead make it known as a prized piece of meat in their barbecues.
And let’s just say, I’m a major fan after tasting it myself.
This beef is amazing thinly sliced for sandwiches, or simply enjoyed in its own glory. This Steak Salad would also be a brilliant place to use the beef.
You can certainly make this recipe on the grill, but Thomas Keller’s version is made in the oven, which is nice when it’s too cold to barbecue.
Hopefully you’ll have an easy time finding the tri tip, but truthfully I don’t see this cut at my local grocery store very often.
I’ve actually started buying it in my monthly ButcherBox and as usual am very happy with the quality. You can use this link (affiliate) for $15 off, free bacon, and free shipping if you want to try it. I’ve personally been a customer for 2 years.
How to Cook Tri Tip:
This recipe starts with a simple 3-ingredient rub. Thomas Keller recommends black pepper, sweet paprika, and piment d’Espelette.
The last ingredient is pretty tough to find, so I’ve always subtituted ground chipotle and LOVE the flavor. Chipotle and beef are major flavor affinities, and fortunately chipotle is easy to find.
Rub the spices all over the meat, then wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 24 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Pat the steak dry, then sear in a hot skillet to brown the exterior.
If you want the most even cooking for the tri tip roast, transfer the meat to a roasting rack.
But, I have found it easiest to simply throw the whole skillet into the oven (because the skillet is still hot, the meat cooks slightly more on the bottom, but not noticeably so aside from what’s visible to the eye).
Roast for 35-50 minutes, until the tri tip measures 125F on an instant read thermometer:
Let the meat rest for at least 30 minutes, then slice very thinly:
The beef is delicious eaten on its own as the star protein for dinner, but it’s also great for sandwiches.
Get some quality crusty bread, and layer the beef with a homemade aioli and arugula. So good.
More Favorite Beef Recipes:
Enjoy!
Santa Maria Style Tri Tip
Ingredients
- 2 lb tri tip roast
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chile pepper
- kosher salt
- neutral cooking oil for searing
Instructions
- Start a day ahead of time. Trim all the silverskin from the meat if necessary, then rub the paprika, black pepper, and chipotle chile pepper all over the meat.
- Wrap the meat tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a day, so the flavors can penetrate the beef.
- Thirty minutes before you plan to cook the meat, take it out of the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Pat the meat dry with paper towels and season very generously with salt on all sides. I usually do at least 1 tsp total.
- Add enough oil to coat the bottom of a large cast-iron skillet, and heat over medium high heat. When the oil shimmers, sear the meat for 2 minutes on the first side, until golden brown. Turn the meat over, then sear for 1 minute and transfer to the oven.
- Roast the beef for 35-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 125 degrees F.
- Remove the meat to a rack or board, and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing, so the juices can redistribute. Cut into thin slices and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Post updated in March 2019. Originally posted January 2012.
Hi, I just found your blog and Facebook page…Thank you. I live in Cali (Fresno) so finding tri-tip is like a Hollywood stop…it’s on every corner, but I have a friend that just move back to Long Island, NY, and she can’t seem to find one. What are they called in your neck of the woods? Maybe she’ll be able to use the info.
Thank you in advance for any help.
Hi my name’s Vanessa and i was just browsing the tri-tip recipes and came across this one. I am not and raised in santa maria. And I have learned from family in the east, and Oklahoma and Idaho that we are actually known for our tri-tip and strawberries. So I’m happy to try this recipe out.