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Santa Maria-style tri-tip is traditionally barbecued over a
California red oak wood fire on an adjustable Santa Maria-style grill.
The sweet smoke gives the meat a distinctive, tasty flavor. However,
you can still prepare a delicious tri-tip at home using Santa
Maria-style seasoning and your backyard grill or even in an oven.
Ingredients:
- 2-4 pound tri-tip
- Santa Maria-style seasoning
Instructions:
- Rub the tri-tip liberally with Santa Maria-style seasoning and rest
overnight in the refrigerator. Remove 45 minutes before grilling to
allow meat to come to room temperature
- Preheat the BBQ for at least 15 minutes to ensure it is very hot. Make sure grill is clean to prevent sticking
- Sear by placing on the hottest part of the BBQ for 3-4 minutes per
side. Don’t be afraid of a little darkness; it gives it good flavor.
- Adjust grill height, temperature, or move seared tri-tip to a cooler
part of the grill for about 8-10 minutes turning once or twice.
Indirect heat is ideal
- BBQ until 120F in the middle for rare or up to 160F for well-done.
Always error on the rarer rather than done side- you can’t uncook it
- Remove from BBQ & cover in foil for 10 minutes to allow the meat to rest
- Slice thinly perpendicular to the grain. There are typically two
sections of grain in a tri-tip so you will need to adjust the cutting
angle while slicing
- Serve and enjoy