Traeger Tri Tip

This Traeger Smoked Tri Tip is a foolproof way to create a juicy, tender, and delicious meal. Smoked on over hickory pellets, this Traeger Tri Tip gives you that great beef and wood smoke flavor that we associate with delicious bbq. No need to completely cover it with sweet rubs or bbq sauce, this recipe takes a simple approach to make this great cut of beef the star of the plate. A creamy peppercorn sauce compliments the smoky flavor to add a little flair to this dish.

What is Tri Tip?

Tri tip is a triangular cut of beef that is the lower portion of the bottom sirloin. It is very tender and does not have a tone of fat like a brisket. Smoking the Tri Tip is very similar to smoking a steak. Give it time to gather that magical smoky flavor, and then finish it off with a reverse sear. The flavor is incredible and you don't need to do too much to this under-celebrated cut of beef.

Ingredients for Traeger Tri Tip

You don't need many if you want to really let this dish be beef forward. The Tri Tip is such a flavorful cut of beef.

Tri-Tip Roast - Tri Tip roasts will come in a variety of weights depending on how trimmed it is. If you have any spots of thick fat, go ahead and trim it down a little bit. What little fat it has will render as it smokes.

Salt and Black Pepper - That is really all you need for seasoning. If you want to hit it with a little garlic powder, you can. But this cut of meat can stand up by itself with just being well seasoned with salt and pepper.

Ingredients for Easy Peppercorn Cream Sauce

Cream - Heavy cream works great here. The cream gives this sauce a nice silky texture that compliments the wood smoky exterior of the beef.

Dry Red Wine - Used to deglaze and lift those flavorful pits of fond off the pan. Only use a wine that you also like to drink, because you must pour yourself a glass as you cook.

Rosemary - I always prefer fresh herbs when they are available. For this sauce, you don't need much. We aren't looking to take over the dish with a rosemary flavor, but I love the hint of rosemary with roasted meats.

Peppercorns - If you have pink or multicolored peppercorns, go for it. They offer a little spice along with a yummy earthiness to the smoked tri tip.

Butter - Butter gives a sauce a level up. It takes sauce to another level. This creaminess combined with the heavy cream makes each bit melt in your mouth.

Salt and Pepper - Just use salt and pepper to tastes as you make your sauce.

How to make Traeger Tri Tip Recipe

Step one: Preheat your Pellet Grill or Smoker to 225 degrees F. Then season your beef with salt and pepper, place the tri tip into your pre-heated smoker and set it directly on the grill grate. Place your meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. You want to carefully monitor the internal temperature as you cook. Let it cook for approximately 60 to 75 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 120 degrees F.

Expert Tip: Any time you are planning to reverse sear, you need to take into account the cooking time internal temperature increases as you sear. For a cut such as this tri tip, you want to pull it off the grill and reverse sear it at about 10 to 15 degrees from your desired final internal temp. I was looking for a medium rare final doneness of 135°F.

Reverse Sear

Step Two: When you are preparing to reverse sear, I like to preheat my cast iron pan either in the oven or on my other grill at 500°F. Once the meat reaches your target internal temp, place the tri tip in the skillet and allow it to sear for about 2 minutes per side. I recommend you close the lid o help keep the temperature hot. If you have an instant-read meat thermometer, now is the time to use it to quickly gauge the meat temperature. Once you get to your desired doneness, remove the smoked tri tip from the pan and let rest under tented foil for at least five minutes.

Side Note: One of the benefits of my Traeger Grill is the ability to use the super smoke mode at any Traeger temperature 225°F or lower. Super Smoke adds a little more smoke volume to get a nice smoke ring quickly on shorter smokes. If you have that ability, this Tri Tip recipe is a good one to use it on.

Step Three: Once the meat has rested, slice it thinly against the grain. Reserve any of the juices to add to your peppercorn cream sauce.

Tri-Tip Recipe Variations

Try an overnight marinade to prep your beef. Or use a spicy Mexican rub to use tri tip in fajitas or steak tacos. Wrap your try tip in bacon for some added flavor and a crispy texture. Experimenting with food is how you learn. Incorporating different flavor combinations or new preparations can add a lot of fun and adventure to your cooking. If you have some great ideas, please share them with us in the comments. Make sure to have fun smoking tri tip on the Traeger Grill.

This Tri Tip Rub for Smoking is a great versatile rub to try.

How to make an Easy Creamy Peppercorn Sauce

After removing the tri tip from the cast iron skillet, carefully add the peppercorns to slightly toast them. You will then deglaze the pan with red wine. Next, add the butter to melt and gently whisk in the wine along with rosemary. Using salt and pepper, season to taste as you slowly simmer over medium heat. Cook until flavorful and it thickens slightly. Pour sauce into a small bowl to serve, or drizzle over the entire platter of slices of Traeger tri tip steak.

Favorite Dishes to Serve with Traeger Smoked Tri Tip Roast

Side Dishes

• Smoked Scalloped Potatoes
• Smoked Onions
• Easy Smoked Mac and Cheese
• Grilled Broccoli

Desserts

• Apple Mug Cake
• Smoked Bananas
• Dulce de Leche Mousse

Other delicious Short Cooks on the Smoker

• Bacon Wrap Pork Tenderloin
• Smoked Chicken Drumsticks
• Smoked Burgers
• Traeger Smoked Salmon

When you are ready to go low and slow learn how to Smoke Beef Short Ribs!