When it comes to versatile cuts of beef, tri-tip is right up there with ground beef and brisket. It is lean yet tender and bursting with flavor. But where does tri-tip come from?
Of course, it’s beef, so it comes from a cow. However, which part of the cow is tri-tip?
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What Part of the Cow Is Tri Tip?
A tri-tip is a distinct triangular-shaped cut of beef. The name tri-tip comes from its triangular shape.
This cut of beef is fabricated from the bottom sirloin. This is the region where the sirloin intersects with the round and flank primals.
The tri-tip is fabricated from the bottom portion of the tri-tip. Tri-tip can be 1 1/2-2 1/2 pounds in weight and is 1-inch in thickness.
It is lean, tender, and has a bold, beefy flavor. Even though tri-tip contains a fair ratio of marbling, it is relatively low in fat, making it perfect for health-conscious individuals who still want to indulge in beef.
Tri-tip can have a rich, delicious flavor and tender texture when it is cooked properly.
However, when it is undercooked, tri-tip can be as tough as nails. Furthermore, since tri-tip is not in high demand like filet mignon, it is relatively inexpensive.
What Does Tri Tip Steak Taste Like?
Just because tri-tip is cheap does not mean it has no flavor. Tri-tip has a robust beefy flavor. It is often called poor man’s brisket because you can get the same great brisket flavor at a fraction of the cost.
It is fairly lean but has a buttery flavor due to the intramuscular fat that melts as the tr-tip cooks.
It has a tender bite, and it soaks up the flavor of the other ingredients in the dish and the spices used to season the meat.
Is There Another Name for Tri Tip?
Tri-tip is often mistaken for brisket or picancha. Nevertheless, tri-ti has several other names, including bottom sirloin butt, California cut, or Newport steak.
Tri-Tip can also be called Santa Maria steak because it is became popularized in Santa Maria, California.
Is Tri Tip Steak Healthy
Yes, tri-tip is healthy. Since it is a low-fat option, it is one of the healthier cuts of beef.
Furthermore, it provides the body with protein and is filled with B vitamins and minerals, which support the immune system.
One 4-ounce serving of tri-tip contains 186 calories, 23.3 grams of which are protein and 9.66 grams of fat.
Therefore, if you want to incorporate beef into your healthy diet, tri0tio is the perfect way t get your fill of beef.
How To Cook Tri Tip
Tri-tip takes well to several cooking methods, including smoking, grilling, and roasting. Nevertheless, tri-tip is best when cooked to medium-rare.
If the temperature is above medium-rare, the tri-tip will dry out.
Before you cook your tri-tip, there may be a little prep work involved. Tri-tip can be bought trimmed or untrimmed. If you purchase a trimmed tri-tip from your butcher, you can cook it right away.
Although untrimmed tri-tip is a bit cheaper, if you buy untrimmed tri-tip, you must trim it yourself before cooking it. You will need a sharp knife for trimming the tri-tip.
To trim the tri-tip, remove the silver skin and any uneven edges. Trim away most of the fat. Some fat is needed to keep the tr-tip moist.
However, remove any thick globs of fat. This will leave you with a lean, triangular-shaped tri-tip.
In terms of seasoning, tri-tip works well with wet or dry rubs, so it’s really up to you. You can also season the tri-tip with salt and pepper or jazz it up by adding your favorite seasonings.
Coat the tri-tip with a layer of neutral-flavored oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, to help the BBQ rub stick to the tri-tip.
Do not use strongly flavored oils like olive, basil, or lemon oil, as it can drastically impact the flavor of the tri-tip.
You can cook the tri-tip in an oven at 275ºF. However, I prefer smoking the tri-tip.
To smoke your tri-tip, set up your offset smoker and let it preheat to 225ºF. Depending on the size of the tri-tip, it will take about 30 minutes per pound to smoke the tri-tip.
Season the tr-tip with your favorite BBQ rub, then insert your smoker thermometer into the thickest part of the tri-tip.
Put the tri-tip on the smoker and cook it for 30 minutes per pound until it has an internal temperature of 135°F.
Next, turn on your broiler. The broiler will help brown the tri-tip. Remove the tri-tip from the smoker and broil it for 5-6 minutes until the tri-tip is browned.
Remove the tri-tip from the oven and wrap it with foil and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Remove the foil, place the tri-tip onto a butcher block, and slice it into thin slices of meat across the grain.
How to Grill Tri-tip
You can grill your tri-tip if you don’t have a smoker. First, season your tri-tip with your favorite BBQ rub and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Set up your grill while the tri-tip is marinating, and preheat it to medium-high heat. Sear the tri-tip over the direct cooking surface for 10 minutes per side until it has a brown crust.
Move the tri-tip to the indirect cooking surface, cover the grill and cook it for 30-45 minutes.
Once the tri-tip has a temperature of 135°F, remove it from the grill and place it onto a plate. Let the tri-tip rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving it against the grain into thin slices.
Final Thoughts
Tri-tip has a rich beef flavor. It is the perfect cut of beef that won’t add too many calories to your meal.
Furthermore, it’s ideal for persons who want to throw a quick BBQ party without spending hours cooking brisket.
Now that you know which part of the cow tri-tip comes from, you can give your guest a little lesson while enjoying juicy, moist tri-tip.
You might also be interested in the following:
- What Part of the Cow Is Barbacoa
- What Part of the Cow Is Sirloin
- What Part of the Cow Is Ground Beef
- What Part of the Cow Is Prime Rib
- What Part of the Cow is Ribeye
- What Part of the Cow Is Filet Mignon
- What Part of the Cow Is Oxtail
- What Part of the Cow Is Corned Beef
- What Part of the Cow Is Brisket
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.