Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip
Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip is the best way to enjoy this flavorful cut. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve mastered the perfect seasoning and grilling technique for a crispy crust and tender interior. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Healthy Chicken Parmesan Recipe and Garlic Butter Chicken Dump & Bake Casserole.
Why This Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy crust with a tender, juicy interior
- Easy, hands-off cooking method
- Perfect for summer cookouts and better than takeout
- Simple, bold flavors that everyone will love
What You'll Need for Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Tri-Tip Roast
- Garlic
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Optional: Fresh Herbs
- Optional: Lemon Wedges
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Tri-Tip Roast: Also known as Santa Maria steak or triangle steak.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Grill — Achieve perfect char marks and smoky flavor. → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensure perfect doneness every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip
- Prepare the Tri-Tip: Trim excess fat from the tri-tip roast. Combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly onto the tri-tip, coating all sides. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 450°F). Make sure the grates are clean to prevent the meat from sticking.
- Grill the Tri-Tip: Place the tri-tip on the grill, fat side up. Grill for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare. Flip the tri-tip and grill for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium.
- Rest and Slice: Remove the tri-tip from the grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Slice the tri-tip against the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Serve with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is overcooking the tri-tip. To prevent this, use a meat thermometer and remove the tri-tip from the grill when it reaches 135°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, marinate the tri-tip in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for up to 24 hours before grilling.
- Pro tip: To achieve a crispy crust, make sure your grill is hot and the grates are clean before adding the tri-tip.
- Pro tip: For a smoky flavor, grill the tri-tip over indirect heat with soaked wood chips (like oak or redwood) placed on the hot coals.
Storing & Reheating Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The seasoning mixture can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Freezing Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip
Freeze sliced tri-tip for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the sliced tri-tip on a baking sheet and reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Microwave individual slices for 30-45 seconds, or until heated through. Be careful not to overheat and make the meat tough.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add sliced jalapeños to the grill with the tri-tip for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: Sirloin steak can be used as a substitute for tri-tip, but it may not have the same tender texture.
- Make-ahead: The tri-tip can be seasoned and marinated up to 24 hours in advance. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the tri-tip is sticking to the grill, try using a small amount of oil on a paper towel to lightly grease the grates before adding the meat.
Want to level up this recipe?
Grill Brush — Ensure clean grates for easy flipping and no sticking. → Check price on Amazon
Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Tri-Tip Roast
- Garlic
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Olive Oil
Seasonings
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Red Pepper Flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh Herbs
- Lemon Wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Tri-Tip: Trim excess fat from the tri-tip roast. Combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly onto the tri-tip, coating all sides. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 450°F). Make sure the grates are clean to prevent the meat from sticking.
- Grill the Tri-Tip: Place the tri-tip on the grill, fat side up. Grill for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare. Flip the tri-tip and grill for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium.
- Rest and Slice: Remove the tri-tip from the grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Slice the tri-tip against the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Serve with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add sliced jalapeños to the grill with the tri-tip for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: Sirloin steak can be used as a substitute for tri-tip, but it may not have the same tender texture.
- Make-ahead: The tri-tip can be seasoned and marinated up to 24 hours in advance. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the tri-tip is sticking to the grill, try using a small amount of oil on a paper towel to lightly grease the grates before adding the meat.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze sliced tri-tip for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the sliced tri-tip on a baking sheet and reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Microwave individual slices for 30-45 seconds, or until heated through. Be careful not to overheat and make the meat tough.
- Make ahead: The seasoning mixture can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 270
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip FAQs
Yes, preheat your oven to 400°F. Sear the tri-tip on the stovetop for 2-3 minutes on each side, then transfer to the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry tri-tip. Use a meat thermometer and remove the tri-tip from the grill when it reaches 135°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Yes, freeze sliced tri-tip for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Yes, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned tri-tip in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare.
Slice the tri-tip against the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Slicing against the grain shortens the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender and easier to chew.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Grilled Santa Maria Tri-Tip and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
