Updated on April 9th, 2023
Tri-tip is one of those popular beef cuts you’ll find on the rack of a diehard American BBQ lover, and for a good reason. It’s compact and offers an uneven surface for different doneness so that you can appeal to distinct preferences. But tri-tip can also be prepared in the oven and even at a temperature of 350°F. But before we find out how, let’s learn more about what tri-tip is and why it’s such an exciting choice of beef cut.
What is Tri-Tip?
Tri-tip is an American cut of beef that’s usually gotten from the bottom of the sirloin. It has a unique triangular shape, with the center carrying the most density. Depending on the butcher, Tri-tips can weigh from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and are extremely popular on the West Coast. And because of the source, tri-tips are also sold under names like ‘Bottom Sirloin’ and ‘Triangle Roast.’ Some even call it ‘The California Cut’ because of its fame along with the coastal city.
How to Choose Tri-Tip for Oven Cooking
Now that you’re clear about tri-tip, you may want to jump straight to the recipe. But you still need to note a few hints to get the tastiest results. And below are these handy factors to keep in mind when cooking tri-tip in an oven at 350°F;
Size
Tri-tip comes in sizes ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds, which means the cooking time will be based on the weight of the meat. At the same 350°F oven temperature, the heavier meat will take longer to cook.
Trimmed Vs. Untrimmed
Tri-tip is mainly offered for sale in two conditions, namely trimmed and untrimmed. Trimmed tri-tip has all the fat removed from the surface of the flesh, and as such, you get a leaner cut. Untrimmed tri-tip, however, has either one or both sides layered with fat.
Trimmed tri-tip usually ends up drier when roasted in the oven. As such, a liquid ingredient is added to the recipe to add moisture. And sometimes, the cut is seasoned, sealed in a plastic bag, and left in the fridge overnight, so the flavors infuse.
For untrimmed tri-tip, the side with lesser fat is manually trimmed up. Then, the remaining fatty side is first seared on the stovetop before being flipped and roasted in the oven. This heavy layer melts and infuses its juices into the meat as it cooks.
Both trimmed and untrimmed tri-tip can be cooked in the oven at 350°F. The choice depends on your preference and how much fat you’re willing to consume in the recipe.
Tri-Tip Cooking Time at 350F
When cooking tri-tip in an oven at 350°F, you need to consider the size. As such, tri-tip should cook for about 30 minutes per pound. This parameter means typical 2-pound tri-tip would cook for about an hour, while a 2.5 pounder will need about 90 minutes total.
With these tips in mind, you should consider trying out this fantastic tri-tip recipe. It’s easy, takes little time (minus the overnight refrigeration), and gives you a tasty result at the finish.
PrintOven-Roasted Tri-Tip (4 servings)
Ingredients
- One trimmed tri-tip roast
- 1/3 cup red wine
- One tablespoon olive oil
- One teaspoon basil, dried
- One teaspoon thyme, dried
- One teaspoon dry mustard
- Ground black pepper
- Salt
Instructions
- Mix the dry spices and generously rub them into the tri-tip on all surfaces. Put meat in a plastic bag and keep it in the fridge overnight. About 4 hours before cooking time, add the red wine to the meat and seal again. The sitting infuses both moisture and flavor into the meat.
- First, preheat your oven to 450°F. As you wait, take the meat out of the fridge, and leave it to return to room temperature. Once it’s ready, put it on a roasting pan and toss it into the oven. Let it roast for 15 minutes.
- Once reached, turn down the oven temperature to 350°F, and roast the meat for another 25 minutes. Once the internal temperature reads 140°F, it’s ready. You can also tell it’s done when the meat is a bit pink in the middle.
- Take the tri-tip out of the oven and let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes. Cut against the grain to serve the slices.
Also, look at this helpful video recipe for more help on cooking tri-tip in the oven at 350°F.
