You have to try oven-baked tri-tip when you’re craving a tender, juicy roast that rivals your favorite steakhouse but won’t break the bank.
This incredible cut develops a gorgeous golden-brown crust while staying beautifully pink and tender inside, creating a restaurant-quality meal in your kitchen. My foolproof method ensures it comes out juicy with a perfect crust.
No time to read the recipe? Pin it to read later ⤵️
Table of contents
Easy Roasted Tri Tip
Tri-tip is my go-to choice for special dinners and casual weeknight meals. This triangular-shaped roast packs incredible flavor and feeds a crowd without the intimidation factor of larger roasts.
The best part? It cooks in under an hour and delivers consistent, impressive results every single time. Whether hosting a dinner party or wanting to elevate your Sunday meal, this roasted tri-tip recipe will become your new favorite beef dish.
What You’ll Need to Cook
Tri-Tip Roast—Look for a well-marbled tri-tip with good fat cap coverage. The ideal roast should be deep red with white marbling throughout. Ask your butcher to trim excess fat, leaving about ¼ inches for flavor and moisture.
Kosher Salt – Kosher salt’s larger crystals penetrate meat fibers more effectively than table salt, enhancing flavor penetration and improving texture through dry brining. Diamond Crystal is preferred for its clean taste and consistent crystal size, though Morton’s works well too.
Cast Iron Skillet – A heavy-bottomed pan that transitions from stovetop to oven is essential for proper searing.
Olive Oil
For The Dry Rub: Or you can use a store-bought rub
- Smoked Paprika Spanish smoked paprika adds depth and subtle smokiness without overwhelming the beef’s natural flavor. Look for bright red color and avoid faded paprika, which indicates age. Store in a cool, dark place and replace annually for maximum impact.
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Dried Oregano
- Ground Cumin
For The Herb Butter (Optional):
- Butter, Softened
- Garlic, Minced
- Fresh Parsley, Chopped
Ingredient Substitutes
Chuck Roast for Tri-Tip: This requires longer, slower cooking at 275°F for 2-3 hours until fork-tender. The approach is changed to more of a braised one.
Sea Salt for Kosher Salt: Use ¾ the amount as it’s more concentrated. Provides mineral complexity but lacks penetrating power.
How to Oven Bake Tri Tip
Step 1: Preparation and Seasoning
Remove the tri-tip from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature. Cold meat hitting hot surfaces creates uneven cooking and tough textures. Combine all dry seasonings in a bowl during this time, mixing thoroughly for even distribution.
Pat the roast completely dry with paper towels, removing all surface moisture. Wet surfaces steam rather than sear, preventing proper crust formation.
Rub olive oil evenly across all surfaces, creating a tacky base for seasoning adherence. Apply the spice mixture generously, pressing firmly to ensure penetration into meat fibers rather than sitting loosely on the surface.
Step 2: Searing
Heat your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot enough that a drop of water sizzles and evaporates immediately. This temperature creates the proper Maillard reaction for crust development. Place the seasoned tri-tip in the hot pan, listening for an aggressive sizzle.
Resist the urge to move or check the meat for 3-4 minutes, allowing proper crust formation. The meat will release naturally when ready to flip. Sear each side until deep golden brown, including the edges for complete flavor development. This step locks in juices and creates complex flavors.
Step 3: Roasting
Transfer the seared tri-tip, still in its pan, directly to the preheated 425°F oven. The residual heat in cast iron continues cooking the bottom while oven heat cooks the top evenly. Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part, avoiding fat pockets, which give inaccurate readings.
Roast for 25-35 minutes, monitoring internal temperature closely. Remove at 125°F for rare, 130°F for medium-rare, or 135°F for medium.
Remember that carryover cooking will raise the temperature an additional 5-10 degrees during resting. The pointed end cooks faster, providing options for varying doneness preferences.
Step 4: Resting and Slicing
Remove the tri-tip from the oven and immediately tent with aluminum foil, creating loose coverage that maintains warmth while allowing steam to escape. Rest for 10-15 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute throughout the meat fibers. Cutting too early results in significant juice loss.
Identify the grain direction before slicing – tri-tip has two distinct grain patterns that meet in the middle. Slice against the grain in ¼-inch thick pieces, adjusting the angle as the grain changes direction. Proper slicing technique transforms this potentially tough cut into tender, easily chewed portions.
Tri Tip Doneness Guide
Getting the perfect doneness is crucial for tri-tip success. For accurate readings, use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part. Remember that temperatures will rise 5-10 degrees during the resting period.
Rare: Remove at 120°F (final temp 125-130°F) – Deep red center, very juicy
Medium-Rare: Remove at 130°F (final temp 135-140°F) – Pink center, optimal tenderness
Medium: Remove at 140°F (final temp 145-150°F) – Light pink center, still tender
Medium-Well: Remove at 150°F (final temp 155-160°F) – Slightly pink center
Well-Done: Remove at 160°F+ (final temp 165°F+) – No pink, firmer texture
For a 3-4 pound tri-tip at 425°F, expect these approximate cooking times after searing:
- Rare: 20-25 minutes
- Medium-Rare: 25-30 minutes
- Medium: 30-35 minutes
- Medium-Well: 35-40 minutes
The pointed end will cook faster, naturally providing different doneness levels in one roast – perfect for mixed preferences!
How To Store Leftovers and Reheat
Cool entirely within 2 hours, then slice against the grain before storing. Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 days with a damp paper towel. Freeze wrapped portions up to 3 months.
Reheat gently in a 250°F oven for 10-15 minutes covered with foil, or warm in a skillet with a splash of broth. Avoid microwaving, which creates tough textures.
What To Serve With Tri-Tip
📌 Did you try this recipe?
Have you made this delicious recipe and loved it?
I would love it if you took a minute to leave a star rating and review. It is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that; thank you!
📌 Please also pin the image below, then you can find the recipe for the next time you want to cook.
Roasted Tri Tip
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs tri tip roast trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper coarsely ground
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
For the Herb Butter
- 4 tbsp butter softened
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Remove tri tip from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Combine all dry seasonings in a small bowl to create the rub.
- Pat tri tip completely dry with paper towels, then rub with olive oil.
- Apply seasoning rub generously on all sides, pressing to adhere.
- Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear tri tip for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown crust forms.
- Transfer skillet to oven and roast for 25-35 minutes until internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
- Remove from oven, tent with foil, and rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
Hungry For More?
