How to slow cook tri-tip on gas grill: the quick guide

There are a few things you should know before starting slow-cooking tri-tip on a gas grill. In this article, we’ll guide you through the slow-cook tri-tip from A to Z. Follow these easy steps to make a delicate and tasty tri tip roast that will certainly make the people around you drool over it! Have fun and bon appétit!

The steak from Santa Maria

Tri-tip steak is a triangular beef cut from the bottom sirloin. It became popular in Santa Maria, California, in the 1950s, along with the Santa Maria rub, and now the tri-tip cut is a significant part of this barbecue style.

Tri-tip beef cuts are sliced from the bottom sirloin, and you can find them in almost every grocery store.

If you slow-cook tri-tip, the roasted steak has a strongly pronounced texture. The dish is suitable for a family in which members prefer different degrees of roasting. This feature is provided by the triangular shape of the tri-tip.

The narrow part of the slow cook tri-tip is prepared faster than the wide one. The popularity of the dish is ensured by its short cooking time and excellent taste.

You can cook tri-tip on a charcoal grill, on a gas grill, or in an oven, but we recommend cooking tri tip on a gas grill. Slow cook tri-tip on the indirect heat side of the grill grate makes it harder to overcook the meat.

Is it necessary to slow-cook tri-tip on a gas grill?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to slow cook tri-tip on a gas grill. Some people say that the best way to get the perfect tri tip roast is to sear it on high heat and then finish it on low heat. This technique yields a steak that is uniformly cooked and has a lovely crust.

Others say that grilling tri-tip gently over low heat is the ideal method. This procedure provides a more tender and juicy tri-tip roast.

Eventually, the second technique is more beginner-friendly, and it’s unlikely the tri-tip will be overcooked this way.

So, which strategy is the most effective? As you might guess, everybody has their own opinion on this issue. It all boils down to your particular choices.

If you prefer your grilled tri-tip rare, sear it over high heat and then move it to indirect heat.

If you want your tri-tip medium-rare, grill it gently over moderate heat. Try to decide what works best for you!

Preparing the tri-tip

Before you start roasting the meat itself, you need to prepare it. It is worth taking the tri-tip out of the freezer and putting it on a cutting board in advance so that the meat is at room temperature. And remove the strongly protruding fat layers as well.

Usually, for sale, tri-tip is cut in different ways, so the meat has a thick fat cap on one side or a layer of fat around the entire cut. If you have a choice, ask for or find the piece where the fat on one side is cut to 1/4 inch.

However, if you have not found a suitable piece, then simply trim the fat on both sides and use it for other dishes in the future. 

When you have already sorted out the fat layer, you will also notice that there is a silver membrane on one side of the meat. It should also be deleted. After slow cooking, it becomes a little harsh and makes the meat less tender.

Homemade dry rub

The next step in our algorithm of action to achieve the perfect tri-tip will be marinating the meat. As a seasoning, you can use ready-made mixes from the store or make your favorite combinations.

In this article, we offer you the 2 most popular options for rubbing meat. You can choose which one you prefer.

Santa Maria Rub

For this method of rubbing, you will need only 3 ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon finely ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder or 2 teaspoons garlic salt

Of course, it’s hard to believe that the original rub that has become so famous includes only 3 ingredients, but it’s true.

More complicated rub

If you want to add more flavors than just salt and garlic, the second rubbing option will be to your liking. The amount is calculated for 3 pounds of meat on a tri-tip.

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 3 teaspoons of salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Mix these spices and rub them all over the roast to form a thick crust. To allow the meat to absorb all the flavors of the spices, leave the meat in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

How to slow cook tri-tip on gas grill?

Can you slow cook on a gas grill? How do you cook a tri-tip steak on a gas grill? The key to the success of a good tri-tip is to slow cook the meat, so it has time to become tender, fragrant, and moist. And for this, the method of slow-cooking tri-tip on a gas grill is best suited.

For uniform slow cooking, it is worth using indirect heat. This means that the coals should be located on one side of the grill, and the meat on the other.

The result is a wonderful tri-tip with a rich taste. Let’s find out how to slow-cook tri-tip on a gas grill:

1. The tri-tip must be placed above the low flame on the preheated grill.
2. Cook tri-tip for a couple of hours. If you measure the internal temperature of the meat, it must be not less than 150 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check this with a kitchen thermometer.
3. When the time is over, take the tri-tip off the grill and leave it to rest for a few minutes, and then start slicing. Cut against the fibers and serve your loved ones! Enjoy your meal!

How long does it take to slow-cook tri-tip on a gas grill?

Generally, when you slow cook tri-tip on a gas grill, consider an average time of about 60 minutes per kilogram. Of course, the larger the portion of meat, the longer roasting it has to undergo.

So, if the tri-tip is large and thick, increase the grilling time up to an hour and a half minutes per kilogram.

The same is true and vice versa: for cooking a thinner tri-tip, you can reduce the time of grilling down to 4o-50 minutes per kilogram.

However, nothing compares to checking the readiness of meat using a meat thermometer. Put the meat thermometer inside the most massive part of the piece and keep roasting it until the internal temperature is 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is it necessary to flip the tri-tip?

So, should you flip your tri-tip while roasting? The first point of view is that flipping once for slow cooking tri-tip makes it get roasted evenly. The second opinion is that flipping makes it too dry, and one should avoid it.

However, to flip or not to flip?

In short, this is up to you and your grill. Cooking on a gas grill, that radiates evenly spread heat, you may skip flipping and forget about your meat for a couple of hours. In case if you are a happy owner of a charcoal grill or a propane grill, perhaps it would be better for you to flip the tri-tip. But don’t do it frequently: two or three times per hour is enough.

Is it possible to cook a tri-tip on a propane grill?

Yep, this issue is extremely controversial: intuitively, we consider that to slow cook tri-tip on a propane grill is impossible. But actually, this is not only possible, but sometimes it can be very convenient and may be quite beneficial for the dish.

A propane grill tends to cook meat much faster than a gas grill; hence it is easier to overcook the tri-tip, but at the same time, it prevents drying. Be sure to slow cook tri-tip is not only possible, but also it’s not as difficult as you think.

Here’s how to do it:

Heat the grill for 10-15 minutes on high flame: pre-heating makes it warm through evenly.

Then switch it off and let it cool a bit. Put the tri-tip on the grill, then leave it for half an hour, or until it reaches the desired internal temperature.

When the doneness, you want is reached, take it off the grill and leave it for several minutes before slicing and serving.

How long does it take to cook tri-tip on a propane grill?

This is one of the greatest methods to prepare tri-tip. It delivers a steady, even heat that is simple to manage. You should cook the tri-tip on a gas grill for around 10 minutes per pound.

That’s it! Now you can enjoy a perfectly cooked delicious tri-tip, juicy and tender, without worrying about it drying out or burning. Try it the next time you want to slow-cook tri-tip on a gas grill or propane grill.

Slow-cook tri-tip wrapped in aluminum foil

Make sure to season your meat with a dry rub first for the ideal tri-tip roast. Use whatever you like salt, red or black pepper, garlic, or basil.

How do you cook tri-tip low and slow?

Your roast should be wrapped in aluminum foil and placed on the grill’s indirect heat side. Allow the meat to slow cook for a few hours, checking on it now and then to determine when it is the right doneness.

As a result, the meat will gently melt and become soft after it has finished slow cooking.

How long after grilling should the slow-cook tri-tip rest?

It’s crucial to give the tri-tip some time to rest after you remove it from the grill before you cut into it. By doing this, the liquids may be distributed more evenly throughout the flesh, making the tri-tip on a gas grill juicier and more delicious.

Normally, you would wait 5 minutes or so before chopping the finished tri-tip into thin slices.

What to serve tri-tips with

Tri-tip is a stand-alone meal that doesn’t need a sauce. Because the meat already has juice from the marinade, even a genuine gourmet will enjoy it.

I just want sauce!

However, if you still desire sauce, you may add chimichurri or barbeque sauce. These sauces accentuate the flavor of the meat without overpowering it.

Santa Maria again

The traditional garnishes for Santa Maria steak are pinquito beans, fresh salsa, and fried bread dipped in melted butter.

Other variations include sausage or venison, grilled with the tri-tip, fresh strawberries, and beans.

Can you cook tri-tip like brisket?

Usually, beef brisket and tri-tip are the most used meat to grill and smoke. The two types of meat in these cuts are quite similar, with minimal or slow cooks. Using indirect heating to slow and evenly prepare is required for both; therefore, grills should have two cooking zones, one for direct heat and one for indirect heating.

Check out our detailed article How to use smoker box on gas grill.

Finally

Roasting steaks is an art form, and not without reason, slow cook tri-tip is often a chef’s specialty in restaurants. But now you know how to cook tri-tip on a gas grill and a propane grill, but it’s just information, and it’s useless until your hands learn this magic. Please yourself and your loved ones with delicious dinners together with our tips.

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