California Style Tri-Tip Sandwich

Why You’ll Love This California Style Tri-Tip Sandwich

Big, bold beef flavor. Tri-tip is a fantastic cut for grilling because it has a rich, beefy taste that pairs perfectly with BBQ seasoning and an open flame.

A California BBQ classic. Tri-tip is closely associated with Santa Maria-style barbecue in California, where beef is traditionally seasoned simply and cooked over a live fire. Turning grilled tri-tip into a sandwich gives you all that classic barbecue flavor in an easy-to-eat format.

Perfect for lunch or dinner. This grilled tri-tip sandwich is hearty enough to serve as a full meal. Pair it with crispy fries for a satisfying BBQ-inspired dinner.

Easy to customize. Keep things simple with sliced tri-tip and the homemade roasted salsa.

A great way to use leftover tri-tip. If you’ve already grilled or smoked a tri-tip roast, this sandwich is a delicious way to give the leftovers a second life. Gently warm the sliced beef, pile it onto toasted rolls, and add fresh toppings for a quick and flavorful meal.

What Is a California Style Tri-Tip Sandwich?

A California-style tri-tip sandwich takes inspiration from the barbecue traditions of California’s Central Coast, especially the Santa Maria Valley. Tri-tip is a triangular cut of beef from the bottom sirloin that became famous for its use in Santa Maria-style barbecue.

Traditional Santa Maria-style tri-tip is seasoned with a simple blend of salt, black pepper, and garlic, then cooked over a live oak fire. The result is beef with a smoky, savory crust and a juicy interior. It’s often served with classic sides such as pinquito beans, salsa, and grilled bread.

Ingredients needed to make a California-style Tri-Tip Sandwich

• Tri-tip: the star of this recipe. Choose a roast with good color and some fat coverage to help protect the meat during cooking.
• Veggies: nothing beats a homemade salsa. White onion, roma tomatoes, tomatillo and garlic along with a jalapeno for some heat.
• Bread: I use french rolls because they are soft and can handle absorbing wet ingredients.
• Seasoning: traditionally California-style tri tip uses simple ingredients: salt, pepper and garlic.

How to Make a California Style Tri-Tip Sandwich

What I love most about this steak recipe is its simplicity. Simple seasoning, handful of ingredients and an open fire roast. Cook to the correct temperature, slice against the grain and you’ll have the best tasting Tri-Tip.

Prepare the Tri-Tip

Depending on where you purchase your tri-tip from, you may need to trim some thick or hard fat, leaving a reasonable amount of fat coverage where appropriate.

I seasoned the steak with Dad’s All Purpose rub and sprinkled some extra garlic powder to boost up the flavor. The rub consists of the traditional spices used in a California-style tri-tip including salt, pepper and garlic.

Remember to season all sides. Let it rest and sweat allowing the seasoning to penetrate the meat.

How to grill a tri-tip steak

A California-style Tri Tip is traditionally grilled on a Santa Maria style grill over direct heat. You don’t need this specific grill to enjoy the steak, just make sure to set up dual zone heat distribution.

How to create an indirect heat zone on grills

Dual heat zones are created differently depending on the type of grill you have.

• Gas grill: Turn the burners on one half of the grill. For indirect heat, place food on the opposite end.
• Charcoal grill: position the heated charcoal to one half of the round bowl. For indirect heat, place the food on the opposite end.
• Komodo style grill: use a plate setter that will deflect direct heat from the food on the grates.

Preheat the grill to a medium heat around 375 degrees Fahrenheit slightly elevated or on the indirect side of the grill. Place the veggies on the grill at the same time. Wrap the garlic cloves in a sheet of foil with some oil. Roasting the veggies will give the homemade salsa that extra fire roasted warm flavor.

Flip the steak and veggies every 2-3 minutes to build a nice sear on all sides.

Once the trip tip reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit internally, move it to the direct side, or lower the grates, and sear both sides. Remove from the grill once it reaches 140 degrees.

Rest the Grilled Tri-Tip

Transfer the grilled tri-tip to a cutting board and let it rest for about 10–15 minutes before slicing, adjusting for the size of the roast.

Resting allows the juices to redistribute and makes the meat easier to slice. Skipping this step can cause more juices to escape onto the cutting board instead of staying in the beef.

Slice the tri-tip against the grain

This is one of the most important steps for a tender tri-tip sandwich. Tri-tip has muscle fibers that change direction, so the grain doesn’t run the same way throughout the entire roast.

Look closely at the direction of the muscle fibers and slice where the direction changes, separating the two halves.

Next, slice each half against the grain. Slicing across them is essential for a tender sandwich.

For sandwiches, thin slices are usually best. They make the beef easier to bite through and allow the meat to layer neatly onto the roll.

How to make an Easy Homemade Salsa

Once you make homemade salsa, you will find it hard to go back to the store bought options. It’s so easy to make!

When the veggies have roasted over the fire, drop them into a food processor. Add 1/2 cup of water and chicken bullion. Blend until the salsa has a chunky consistency. Add in the cilantro and blend again to the consistency of your liking.

For my favorite salsa, check out this Salsa recipe. Hands down my favorite. Keep it in the fridge and enjoy all week long!

Assemble the California-style Tri-Tip Sandwich

Keeping this California-style Tri-Tip sandwich simple is key. Toast up your bread, rub some fresh garlic on the inside, add layers of the sliced tri-tip and spoonfuls of the homemade salsa. That’s it. You can always add some mayo, but the juicy tenderness of the steak and liquid salsa are enough to avoid dry bites.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a way to turn a great cut of beef into an unforgettable meal, this California Style Tri-Tip Sandwich is a recipe worth adding to your grilling rotation. With well-seasoned tri-tip, a flavorful crust from the grill, and a toasted roll loaded with the homemade salsa, it’s a simple sandwich that delivers big BBQ flavor. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

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