Traeger Tri Tip – Simply Meat Smoking

Have you been looking for a Traeger tri tip recipe that leaves you with juicy and tender steak but you can whip up quickly? You have to try my recipe! It is seasoned to perfect with a homemade rub which I have provided the instructions below for as well, but you can certainly use a pre brought rub for just as good results.

All you need to do is season, smoke for 2-3 hours and then sear.  Just remember to look at my section for sides below, I show you what some of favorite sides are for tri tip! 

Traeger Tri Tip Recipe

One of the main reasons this Traeger tri tip recipe is one of my favorites is that its quick, unlike most meat smoking recipes.

You don’t have to wake up at 6am to  get the smoke rolling, spritz the meat all day and its doesn’t take 12 hours like my Trager brisket, which is worth but I don’t always have time for that. 

You don’t need 12 hours when its comes to cooking tri tip. All you need is a rub you like (or make your own), a Traeger grill and a couple of hours. 

One of the best parts of this recipe is the leftovers, I even have a whole section below dedicated to what you can do with the leftovers (spoiler, mine is the tri tip sandwich) its a weekday hit for our family. 

What Is a Tri-Tip Steak?

The tri-tip steak is a cut taken from the bottom sirloin cut, which means towards the back of the belly.

This steak is not only one of the most affordable cuts of beef you’ll find, but it’s also flavorful and has great marbling. 

Furthermore, if you cook it to the right temperature and don’t overcook, the tri-tip will give you the most tender and juicy finished steak you would have ever had! 

What You’ll Need for This Recipe

• Beef Tri-Tip 
• Oil
• Rub (or if you prefer to make your own rub use the ingredients below)
• Black Pepper 
• Onion Powder 
• Garlic Powder
• Dried Rosemary
• Dried Oregano
• Kosher Salt

How to Make Traeger Tri-Tip

Step 1: Season the Tri-Tip 

Preheat your smoker to 225°F. If your making your own rub then use the amounts below and combine then in a bowl. Now coat the meat with a binder like olive oil and season your tri-tip generously with the mix. 

Place the roast in a ziplock bag and refrigerate it overnight, or at least for a few hours before cooking. 

My Tri Tip Rub

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt or sea salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary

Step 2: Smoke! 

When you’re ready to start cooking, remove the tri-tip from the refrigerator and let it sit out until it comes to room temperature. 

Preheat your Traeger grill to 225°F and you can choose to use super smoke if you do have that option. 

Now, place the seasoned tri-tip roast directly onto the grill grates and smoke for around 2- 2.5 hours.

Remove the roast from the smoker once the thickest part of the meat reaches 130°F. 

Once out of the smoker, wrap the tri-tip tightly in foil. 

Step 3: Sear! 

After wrapping the meat, turn your Traeger’s temperature up to 450°F.

When the grill is ready, place the wrapped tri-tip back onto the grill and sear it for 3 – 5 minutes on each side, depending on how well you want it cooked. 

You’ll want to use a meat thermometer at this stage of the cooking process too.

Make sure to not cook the meat beyond a temperature of 145°F so that the roast can stay moist and tender. 

Step 4: Serve! 

Once done searing, allow the smoked tri-tip to rest, tented, for 10-15 minutes so that the juices of the roast can redistribute evenly throughout the meat. 

When you wish to serve, slice the meat thinly against the grain. 

What Temperature to Smoke Tri-Tip At 

You’ll want to smoke your tri-tip roast at a temperature of 225°F for the cooking process. 

To sear, make sure you crank up the heat in your smoker to 450°F during the last part of cooking. 

What Internal Temperature You Need to Reach for Tri-Tip

You want to reach an internal meat temperature of at least 135°F to ensure that the meat is safe to eat. 

You mustn’t go over the internal meat temperature of 145°F as you don’t want to overcook this cut of meat. 

Not overcooking this cut of meat is extremely crucial as it can lead to a dry finished product whereas, you should be aiming for a tender and juicy end product. 

How Long to Cook Tri-Tip

You’ll want to cook your tri-tip roast for approximately 2-2.5 hours depending on how long it takes to reach the desired internal meat temperature. 

Another 3-5 minutes of searing may be required after this cooking process. 

Is Tri-Tip Popular in Every State?

Although these cuts are very popular in Washington state, they may not be as popular in other states. 

For example, in Texas, the ribeye cut is known to be ‘king’ and the Tri-Tip cut is generally an overlooked roast. 

Hence, this cut may be less available in certain states but it surely is worth the shot! 

How to Choose the Right Tri Tip for You

To find a really good tri-tip, it is recommended you make your way to the nearest Costco. You may also go to your local butcher shop. 

The most important things to look for on a good tri-tip are great marbling, silver skin and to have excess fat removed. 

You’ll be shocked to know that a tri-tip can be a lean cut of beef if the fat cap has been thoroughly trimmed.

Finding a USDA Prime option is highly recommended as the term ‘Prime’ is earned if the cuts display excellent marbling. 

Tips for Cooking Tri-Tip Evenly

Tri-tip is known as a ‘triangle steak’ as it has three points.

The challenge with this shape is that the narrow triangle tip is always likely to cook faster and be “well-done” while the thickest part of the meat may still be undercooked when you pull it from the grill.

You can avoid this from happening by a few simple steps: 

1. Use a cast iron skillet inside the Traeger Grill for a beautiful crust to form

2. Remove the tri-tip from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for an hour before cooking so the inside cooks evenly

3. Start with high heat and then lower the heat and move the tri-tip to the less hot side of the grill

A benefit of cooking a tri-tip on a Traeger Grill is having good temperature control. This means you can start on high heat and finish on low heat.

Tips for Making the Best Tri-Tip Steak

Preheat the Traeger Before Cooking:

The Traeger should be preheated to the right temperature to seal in all juices and get a wonderful smoky flavor without overcooking the tri-tip.

Remove the Meat From the Fridge at Least 30 Minutes Before Cooking:

This will allow the tri-tip to start cooking at room temperature, which will give you more accurate timings to work from.

Take Your Time With Coating the Meat:

When you do this step carefully, it gives you an even flavor across the entire tri-tip.

Use a Meat Thermometer:

To ensure you don’t overcook the meat, you’ll want to use a meat thermometer and slide it into the center of your tri-tip to check the doneness of the steak. 

Season in Advance:

This will give your dry rub time to penetrate the meat before it’s placed on the Traeger.

For best results, you’ll want to wrap the seasoned tri-tip with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge overnight.

This will act as a dry brine to help pack in the flavor and make the meat tender and juicy.

Don’t Skip on Resting Time:

Resting your tri-tip for 5 or 10 minutes after cooking helps juices redistribute, resulting in a more tender slab of steak.

Cutting and Serving Tri-Tip Steak

This is a detail that will make all the difference! Working with a triangle-shaped cut of meat means that the grain of the meat changes directions near the wide end of the tri-tip.

This means that you’ll always want to cut against the grain, so pay attention to where that changes in your roast. 

When you reach 2/3 of the way of the meat, you can switch directions when slicing.

If you fail to do this, the widest part of the meat will be much tougher as the muscle fibers will be running the long way.

How to Store Leftover Tri-Tip Steak

If you find yourself with leftovers, you’ll want to store them in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in a plastic wrap. These can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You may also use a vacuum-sealed bag to keep the meat fresh for longer.

If you want to store the tri-tip steak for longer, then you can freeze the leftovers by putting them in a ziplock bag and into the freezer. If you want to know how to reheat tri-tip the best way to ensure it stays moist is to use the oven.

Place the tri-tip on a roasting rack above a baking dish filled with a few cups of water. Even a baking sheet would work if you use a bit less water. Heat the oven to 250°. Cook the meat in the preheated oven until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°.

Here are some ways to use your leftover tri-tip, some favorites are tacos, sandwiches and salads.

My Favourite Wood Chips for Tri-Tip Steak

It is recommended that you use Mesquite or Hickory for this cut, as it has a bold flavor that can stand up to the flavor of the beef. 

What to Serve With Tri-Tip Steak

Although you can serve this tri-tip alone, here are some of my favorite sides;

• Smoked Mac and Cheese
• Traeger Smoked Potatoes,
• Creamy Greek Pasta Salad 

There are more ideas of what to serve with tri tip here.

Smoke On!

Charlie

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