
Tri-tip is a triangular roast from the bottom sirloin cut of a cow. It is also known as a triangle roast, bottom sirloin tip, or Santa Maria or California cut. While tri-tip can be grilled, braised, roasted, or smoked, it can also be cooked in a crock pot. This is a unique way to prepare this cut of meat, and it is also the easiest way to get tender, pot roast-style meat. Cooking it low and slow makes it fork-tender and juicy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat |
| Meat temperature | Above 130 degrees F |
| Meat texture | Tender, juicy, fall-apart |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, Italian seasoning, olive oil |
| Broth | Beef broth or chicken broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce |
| Vegetables | Carrots, potatoes, onions, bell peppers, sweet potatoes |
| Gravy | Butter, flour, heavy cream |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn

Cooking time and temperature
Tri-tip is a triangular roast from the bottom sirloin cut of the cow. It is also known as a triangle roast, bottom sirloin tip, or Santa Maria or California cut. It is a less expensive cut of meat with a lot of flavour and is tender.
When cooking tri-tip in a crock pot, it is recommended to cook it on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. Cooking the tri-tip on low heat for a longer duration makes it fork-tender and juicy. If you are short on time, you can cook the tri-tip on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. However, the slower and lower cooking process yields better results for a tender roast.
Before placing the tri-tip in the crock pot, it is recommended to give it a quick sear in a skillet or a pan to lock in the juices and flavours. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the tri-tip for about 2 minutes on each side. You can also season the tri-tip with salt, pepper, onion, and garlic, or your preferred seasoning blend, before searing.
After searing, place the tri-tip in the crock pot with vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and onions, and set it to cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. The crock pot allows the meat to slow cook, making it tender and juicy.
Once the cooking time has elapsed, check the temperature of the tri-tip with an instant meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the roast should be above 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If the meat is not tender, you can cook it for another hour or until it is fork-tender.
After cooking, remove the tri-tip from the crock pot and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding. You can serve it with mashed potatoes, sandwiches, tacos, or a simple gravy made from the juices of the crock pot.
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Seasoning
Tri-tip is a triangular roast from the bottom sirloin cut of the cow. It is also known as triangle roast, bottom sirloin tip, or Santa Maria steak. It is a popular dish in California, where it was made famous in a small market in Santa Maria.
Tri-tip can be grilled, braised, roasted, or smoked. It can also be cooked in a Crock Pot, which is the easiest way to get tender, pot roast-style meat.
Dry rubs and spices:
Dry rubs and spice blends are a great way to add flavour to your tri-tip. You can purchase a pre-made blend like Montreal steak seasoning, which typically includes salt, pepper, onion, and garlic. Or, you can make your own blend with dried herbs such as thyme and rosemary, or Italian seasoning. You can also add garlic powder or minced garlic to your spice rub. If you prefer a simpler seasoning, you can just use salt and pepper, or garlic salt and pepper.
Broth or sauce:
Using a broth or sauce can add depth and richness to your tri-tip. You can use beef broth or beef stock, or make your own by mixing beef bouillon and hot water. You can also add Worcestershire sauce, which will enhance the flavour of the broth.
Vegetables:
Cooking your tri-tip with vegetables will add flavour to the meat and create a one-pot meal. Onions, carrots, and potatoes are a great combination to use as a base for your tri-tip. You can also add bell peppers, sweet potatoes, or faster-cooking vegetables like green beans, mushrooms, or broccoli during the last hour of cooking. Season your vegetables with olive oil, black pepper, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, or any other spices you like.
Searing:
Before adding your tri-tip to the Crock Pot, you can sear it in a skillet to lock in the juices and flavour. Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the tri-tip for about 2 minutes on each side, or until browned. This step is not mandatory but will result in more tender and flavourful meat.
Cooking time and temperature:
Cooking your tri-tip low and slow will result in the most tender meat. It is recommended to cook your tri-tip on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high heat for 3-4 hours if you are short on time. You can check the internal temperature of the roast, and as long as the thickest part is above 130 degrees Fahrenheit, you can serve it.
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Sear or no sear?
Searing the meat in a skillet or frying pan before placing it in the crock pot can help to lock in juices and create a more tender and flavourful result. This is because the high heat of searing creates a Maillard reaction, browning the surface of the meat and developing flavour. By searing the meat, you also get those delicious browned bits stuck to the pan, which can be scraped up and added to the crock pot for extra flavour.
However, if you're short on time or don't want to dirty another dish, you can skip the searing step. The crock pot will still work its magic and produce a tender, juicy roast. Cooking the tri-tip low and slow is the key to tenderness, as this helps the proteins break down. Aim for a low temperature of around 6-8 hours, or 3-4 hours on a high setting if you're pressed for time.
So, to sear or not to sear? Ultimately, it's up to you and how much time and effort you want to put into the dish. If you do choose to sear, remember to use a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and sear the tri-tip for about 2-to-5 minutes on each side before transferring it to the crock pot.
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Vegetables
When preparing the vegetables, it is recommended to cut the potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces, such as wedges or halves, as smaller potatoes or baby potatoes can withstand the lengthy cooking time required to tenderize the meat. Carrots can be cut into carrot chips or baby carrots, while onions should be sliced into halves and then each half into thirds. These vegetables can be tossed with olive oil, butter, or meat drippings, and seasonings such as black pepper, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, garlic, and fresh or dried herbs like thyme and rosemary.
The vegetables are then placed in the crockpot, with the meat positioned on top. This arrangement allows the vegetables to absorb the meat's flavors as they cook. Cooking times can vary depending on the desired texture of the meat and vegetables, but typically, a tri-tip crockpot meal is cooked for 3-8 hours on low heat or 4-6 hours on high heat.
Other vegetables that can be used in a tri-tip crockpot meal include celery, parsnips, whole button mushrooms, and bell peppers. These vegetables can be sliced into strips or wedges and added to the crockpot with the potatoes, carrots, and onions.
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Gravy
Tri-tip is a triangular roast from the bottom sirloin cut of the cow. It is a less expensive, flavourful, and tender cut of meat. While tri-tip can be grilled, braised, roasted, or smoked, it can also be cooked in a crock pot.
A gravy can be made to accompany the tri-tip. To make the gravy, you will need butter, flour, and the juices from the cooked meat. First, strain the juices from the cooked meat and reserve them for the gravy. In a frying pan, add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour. Stir together over medium heat until a smooth paste forms. Then, add 2 tablespoons of the reserved juices from the cooked meat and stir until combined. Finally, add the remaining juices and bring to a low boil to thicken. Serve the gravy over the meat.
If you are making the tri-tip in a crock pot, you can make the gravy directly in the crock pot. Simply add cream to the juices in the crock pot to make a gravy. Alternatively, you can make a gravy by adding butter and flour to the juices in the crock pot and stirring until thickened.
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Frequently asked questions
Tri-tip is a triangular roast from the bottom sirloin cut of a cow. It is also known as a triangle roast, bottom sirloin tip, or Santa Maria or California cut.
Cooking times vary depending on the heat setting and the desired texture. For a low heat setting, cook the tri-tip for 5-8 hours. For a high heat setting, cook the tri-tip for 3-4 hours. If you prefer your meat to be falling apart, you can cook it for longer.
First, season the tri-tip with salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and other seasonings of your choice. You can also sear the meat in a skillet before placing it in the crock pot to lock in juices and flavours. Next, place the seasoned tri-tip in the crock pot with vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and onions. Set the crock pot to the desired heat setting and cooking duration. Finally, shred or slice the meat and serve it with gravy or au jus.
Crock pot tri-tip can be served with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, sandwiches, tacos, tortillas, quesadillas, or a green salad.











































