Video Coffee-Rubbed Tri-Tip in the Oven

Learn how to make cook tri-tip in the oven to perfection. The tri-tip roast is seasoned with a homemade coffee rub that yields the juiciest and tastiest tri-tip roast!

This oven-baked tri-tip roast recipe will prove that you can make a tasty steak from an inexpensive cut. It’s the easiest way to cook tri-tip in the oven, perfect when you don’t feel like grilling.

Reading: How do you cook a tri tip roast

Jump to:

What is Tri-Tip
Easy Tri-Tip in the Oven Recipe
The Best Seasoning for Triangle Steak
The Ingredients for Oven-Roasted Tri-Tip Roast
How to Trim Fat and Silverskin Off Tri-Tip Before Cooking
How to Cook Tri-Tip Roast in the Oven
How to Slice Tri-Tip
How to Store Leftover Roasted Tri-tip
How to Reheat Leftover Roasted Tri-tip
How to Use Leftover Tri-tip Roast
📖 Recipe

Table of Contents

What is Tri-Tip

Tri-Tip is also known as the Newport Steak or Santa Maria Steak, Triangle Tip, or Triangle Steak. It’s traditionally seasoned with Santa Maria rub, can be grilled or roasted.

Tri-tip is a cheaper alternative to rib-eye and also makes a great substitute for brisket.

Tri-tip meat is a part of the bottom sirloin subprimal cut. The meat is nicely marbled, tender, and full-flavored, yet it is actually low in fat.

Since tri-tip is a lean cut, it is best when it’s cooked medium-rare. Do not cook past medium or it ends up being too tough.

Easy Tri-Tip in the Oven Recipe

This oven-roasted tri-tip recipe is a simple way to cook tri-tip that doesn’t require a grill or smoker. The tri-tip is rubbed with a blend of salt and coffee rub.

The meat starts on the stove in a skillet, but you’ll finish the steak in the oven. The meat has a nicely browned sear on the outer parts and medium-rare on the inside.

The Best Seasoning for Triangle Steak

I seasoned and marinated the tri-tip roast with a homemade coffee rub. It’s the best seasoning for lean meat like tri-tip because the coffee acts as a tenderizer and creates a nice crust on the outside. As a result, you’ll find it to be tender even when cooked to medium doneness.

The Ingredients for Oven-Roasted Tri-Tip Roast

To make this tri-tip roast, you’ll need a tri-tip roast, kosher salt, black pepper, and homemade coffee rub. The rub contains a blend of ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, ground dark-roast coffee, and dark brown sugar.

How to Trim Fat and Silverskin Off Tri-Tip Before Cooking

Nowadays, you can buy trimmed or untrimmed tri-tips.

Trimming the fat off the tri-tip is pretty easy and can be done within minutes using a sharp knife.

It’s recommended to leave a little fat, especially on the bottom to keep the meat moist and juicy. You should remove the layer of silverskin and if you are grilling your tri-tip, the fat cap must be removed as well.

Here’s how to remove the silverskin:

Push the tip of the knife under the silverskin.
Carefully pull the knife towards you while you’re holding the skin until it’s all removed.

How to Cook Tri-Tip Roast in the Oven

1. Prepare the Tri-Tip

Remove some fat and all silverskin if any.
Pat the meat dry with paper towels

2. Season the Tri-Tip

In a mixing bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, and the coffee rub. Alternatively, you can season the meat with kosher salt and black pepper first, then with the coffee rub.
Rub and coat the meat well on both sides.
Pat the dry rub mildly with your fingers so it adheres.

3. Marinate

Put the meat on top of the wire rack over a baking sheet then cover with plastic wrap.
Transfer the seasoned meat to a fridge and marinate for 8-12 hours.

4. Let the tri-tip rest

Remove the marinated tri-tip from the fridge and let it rest at room temperature for an hour.

5. Brown the Tri-Tip

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Preheat a large skillet over high heat then add oil.
When the oil is hot and begins to smoke, add the tri-tip, fat-side down. Turn the heat to medium-high and sear for 2-3 minutes or longer without moving until browned.
Carefully flip the meat and sear the other side until browned.

6. Roast in the Oven

Put the meat on top of the wire rack over a baking sheet, fat-side up.
Insert an oven-safe thermometer into the thickest portion of the tri-tip.
Roast the meat for about 10-12 minutes per pound or until the food thermometer reaches 130°F.

Remove the meat from the oven. Transfer the meat to a platter covered loosely with foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. The temperature of the meat will continue to rise for as much as 10°F during this time.

let the steak rest, cover loosely with foil.

How to Slice Tri-Tip

It is important to always slice tri-tip against the grain in order to get a more tender piece of meat.

Make sure that you take a good look at your tri-tip roast before cooking.
Take a note/picture of which direction the parallel lines of muscle fibers are running. Once it’s cooked it’s much more difficult to see.
Once your tri-tip roast is cooked and has rested, pick up a sharp carving knife.
Use the knife to slice the tri-tip against the grain for maximum tenderness.

How to Store Leftover Roasted Tri-tip

You can store the leftover tri-tip in an airtight container. Properly stored, it can last 3-4 days in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer.

How to Reheat Leftover Roasted Tri-tip

Remove the steak from the fridge and let it rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Place the meat on a wire rack over a baking sheet, then bake until the meat is registered at 110°F.