Traeger tri-tips are made using beef brisket, but they’re also available in pork and chicken varieties.
What Is A Traeger?
The word “traeger” comes from the French verb, to trail or follow after (trailler).
In the case of this recipe, it refers to the process of cooking on an electric smoker that follows after the meat has been processed into a cut of choice.
The term “smoker” is used interchangeably with the term “electric cooker” because both refer to the same thing – a device which cooks food by convection heat transfer via hot air.
This type of cooking method was first developed around 1900 as a way to preserve meats without refrigeration.
A variety of different types of smokers have been produced since then, including wood burning devices, propane burners, charcoal grills, ceramic cooktops, infrared cookers, gas cooktops, as well as electric ones.
Today, there is no shortage of options out there when choosing what kind of smoker you want.
You can find them at your local hardware store, online stores like Amazon, and even on Craigslist!
There are several different styles of electric smokers including tabletop models, countertop units, mobile campers and travel trailers, and even some indoor units.
When looking at prices, I recommend starting off with a basic unit and upgrading later if necessary.
It doesn’t take long to get accustomed to how things work once you start smoking.
I personally use a Traeger Pro Series 3400E electric smoker, but these days there are many other great choices out there.
If you don’t already own one, check out our list of recommended electric smokers for more information about where to buy one.
If you want to learn more about all things related to barbecue, be sure to read through our guide to the best outdoor BBQ grill accessories.
What Is A Tri Tip?
Tri tips are usually cut from either the bottom or the top of the cow’s shoulder blade (sometimes referred to as “the flat”).
They are then trimmed before being seasoned with a special blend of spices and smoked over hardwood chips or wood pellets until done to your liking.
How do I know what size of tri tip to buy?
The USDA recommends that you purchase whole tri tips rather than sliced ones because it’s more economical.
You can always slice them yourself if you prefer, though this method will likely result in smaller pieces of meat.
Do I need to trim my tri tip before smoking it?
No, we don’t recommend doing so unless you want to spend extra time on something that isn’t really necessary.
Trimming the fat off tri tips makes them easier to cook through without drying out too much.
However, you should still leave about 1/16th inch of fat around each side of the tri tip when cooking.
What Is The Best Traeger Tri Tip Recipe?
The Traeger Tri Tip Recipe is one of our most popular recipes on this website because it offers outstanding flavor and juicy meat that comes out tender every time.
It’s an easy recipe to make since all three components (the rub, the marinade and the baste) come together at once after being mixed by hand.
You can find instructions for making your own tri tips here, but we have another option for you if you want to skip the hassle of prepping them yourself.
We found a great resource called Food Network Kitchen that has a simple tri tip recipe that uses store-bought tri tips.
You just need to follow their directions below.
We recommend purchasing tri tips from Costco or Sams Club.
They will last longer than other brands and also cost less per pound.
If you don’t want to purchase tri tips then try cooking with boneless chuck roast instead.
It works well as long as you use a thicker cut like sirloin steak or top round.
- Ingredients: 1⁄4 cup salt 1⁄4 cup paprika 2 tablespoons garlic powder 3 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 4 teaspoons ground black pepper 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon thyme 1⁄2 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons sugar 1⁄2 teaspoon celery seed 1⁄3 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted 2 cups beef stock
- Directions: Combine all ingredients except for the beef in a bowl until thoroughly blended. Place mixture into zip lock bag and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove beef from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Apply spice mix evenly over both sides of beef. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and place in freezer for 20 minutes. Remove and discard plastic wrap and let rest 10 more minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium high heat. Grill tri tip for about 15 minutes total turning half way through cooking. Baste three times during grilling process with the following sauce: In small saucepan combine remaining ingredients and bring to boil stirring constantly until thickened. Keep warm until ready to serve.
How Do You Cook A Traeger Tri Tip?
This is an easy question to answer because there isn’t much to it.
You can roast your meat on high heat until done (it will tell you when to flip).
If you’d like to grill them instead, be sure to use a medium heat setting so that the temperature doesn’t get too hot.
When cooking with a gas barbecue, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
When grilling, make sure not to cover your tri tips while they’re cooking.
Doing this will cause the moisture inside of your tri tip to evaporate.
Instead, open up the vents on your grill or turn down the heat slightly if you have one of those fancy infrared ones.
What Are The Ingredients In A Traeger Tri Tip Recipe?
The following list shows all of the ingredients that go into making a traeger tri tip recipe.
- Beef brisket (or other meat)
- Curry powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Vegetable oil
- Butter
- White vinegar
- Water
- Baking soda
- Dry mustard
- Molasses or honey
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Wine
- Lemon juice
- Chicken broth
- Poultry seasoning
- Red wine
- Honey
- Herbamare
- Horseradish
These are just some of the ingredients used to make a tasty tri tip recipe.
There are many more!
You can find them on your grocer’s shelves at any grocery store near you.
What Is The Cooking Time For A Traeger Tri Tip?
The cooking process for a traeger tri tip can take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours depending on how big your meat is or if you use an indirect cook method.
You want to make sure that the internal temperature of the tri tip reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63°C) before it’s fully cooked so as not to dry out the meat.
You will need to check the internal temperature of the tri tip every 30 minutes during the first hour of cooking, then every half hour after that until the end of time.
If the temperature gets too low, add more heat by turning up the burners under the grill.
Once the tri tips reach 145 degrees F (63 C), remove them from the grill and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.
If you don’t have enough space inside your home to accommodate this much food, consider purchasing a larger size unit with multiple racks that will allow you to cook several pieces of meat simultaneously.
You’ll still be able to enjoy some delicious smoked meats even if you only have one smoker.
Just remember to follow these guidelines when preparing your meat.
- Use plenty of wood chips for smoke flavor
- Keep the lid closed to prevent any moisture loss
- Check the meat’s internal temperature regularly
- Let the meat rest for 15 minutes before slicing or carving
What Is The Temperature For A Traeger Tri Tip?
The internal temperature of your meat should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it has been cooked properly.
For more information on how to use an instant read thermometer, check out our guide.
It’s important to keep track of the exact temperatures throughout the process if you want to cook the best possible results with your tri tips.
You can set up a timer or make use of the built-in function within your app so that you don’t have to worry about manually checking the food every few minutes.
When does the timer start?
You can use a digital kitchen timer or simply press a button on your thermostat to activate the timer.
If you choose to use a timer, follow these steps:
- Set the timer for the desired duration of your tri tip. Make sure you select “Auto Start/Stop Timer” so that you can easily tell whether your meat has reached its final temperature.
- Turn your cooker off before removing the meat from the grill.
- Check the internal temperature of your tri tip by inserting an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat.
What happens during the first 10 minutes of cooking?
During the first ten minutes of cooking, the tri tip will reach its lowest temperature.
After this point, the tri tip will begin to rise towards its highest temperature as it cooks.
When the entire tri tip reaches its ideal temperature, it can safely be removed from the heat source.
How Do You Know When A Traeger Tri Tip Is Done?
The time it takes to cook your meat depends largely on how well you maintain an even cooking temp throughout the process.
However, there are a few factors that will help determine just what time this might take.
For example, if you use wood pellets or charcoal as fuel, then things could get a little more complicated because of the way those fuels burn.
That’s why we recommend buying a thermometer like the one from Thermapen to ensure accuracy.
Cooking time per pound (lbs.)
- Brisket – 6 hours at 200 degrees Fahrenheit
- Pork Tri Tip – 5 hours at 170 degrees Fahrenheit
- Chicken Tri Tip – 3 1/2 hours at 180 degrees Fahrenheit
If you want to cut down on the amount of time required to prepare your meal, try adding these tips into your plan to speed up the process:
- Use a smaller size grill pan so you don’t need to flip often.
- Do not add fat during cooking. Adding oil after the fact only makes matters worse by clogging up the grates with excess grease.
- Add vegetables such as onions, peppers, etc., before placing meats onto the grill. These veggies will continue to cook while the meat rests.
- To prevent flare ups, place nonstick foil over the coals to create a barrier between them and the food being grilled.
What Are Some Other Recipes That Can Be Cooked On A Traeger?
The most common use of the grill is to cook meats like steaks or burgers, so we wanted to show you how these versatile machines work with different types of meat.
But what about vegetables?
That’s where the Traeger comes in handy!
You don’t have to make side dishes from scratch if your plan is just to throw together a quick meal.
A great example would be our tri-tip recipe, which uses a spice rub and a basting sauce to create an easy dinner option that everyone will love.
What Are Some Tips For Cooking A Traeger Tri Tip?
Cooking a tri-tip over indirect heat at 250 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (121 to 148 degrees Celsius) will give you the best results when it comes to tenderness and flavor — especially if you use a wood pellet grill like the Traeger Tri Tip Grill.
Once your tri tip has been grilled, season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper or any combination of these spices.
After seasoning, brush it liberally with barbecue sauce or marinade before serving.
You may also serve it with coleslaw, sautéed potatoes, rice pilaf or steamed vegetables.
You can cook up to 12 pounds per hour on this model.
If you plan to do so, make sure you keep an eye on your meat during the first few hours of grilling as the internal temperature starts rising quickly.
Equipment
- 1 Grill
Ingredients
- 3 lb tri-tip roast
- Traeger ‘Que BBQ Sauce
- Traeger Prime Rib Rub
- 1/2 Cup beef broth
Instructions
- The tri-tip should be thoroughly coated in Traeger ‘Que BBQ Sauce before being marinated in the fridge for the night.
- Take the tri-tip out of the marinade, then throw away the marinade. Apply a little coating of Traeger Prime Rib Rub on the tri-tip.
- When you’re ready to start cooking, preheat the Traeger for 15 minutes with the lid closed. Set the temperature to 180°F.
- The thickest region of the tri-tip should be probed. Directly place the tri-tip on the barbeque grates, cover it, and let it smoke for three to four hours.
- Place the tri-tip on a sizable piece of aluminium foil after removing it from the grill. Around the meat, pour the beef broth, then securely wrap the foil. 350°F should now be the grill’s temperature.
- Reposition the meat on the grill and cover it for 45 minutes. Before slicing, remove off the grill and allow rest for 15 minutes. Enjoy!
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Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.