Air-Fried Tri-Tip: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Way

Tri-tip is a triangular cut of beef from the bottom sirloin. It is a versatile, flavourful, and relatively affordable cut of meat that can be cooked in an oven, on a grill, or in an air fryer.

Air fryers are a great alternative to grilling, especially if you're looking for something quick, easy, and less messy. They use convection to cook food, which means hot air is circulated around the food at a very high speed, creating a crispy 'fried' layer without the need for lots of oil.

To cook tri-tip in an air fryer, you'll want to start with a good cut of meat—look for ample marbling, a thickness of at least 1.5 to 2 inches, and uniformity in thickness. From there, it's all about seasoning, temperature, and timing.

Choosing the right tri-tip steak

First, a little background on tri-tip: this cut of beef gets its name from its distinctive triangular shape. It comes from the bottom sirloin subprimal cut, specifically the tensor fasciae latae muscle, and typically weighs around two to three pounds. The tri-tip is known for its excellent marbling (the fat running through the meat), making it tender and flavourful. However, it can be tough if not cooked properly, so it's important to choose a good cut.

When selecting a tri-tip steak, look for one with a decent amount of marbling, as this will ensure your steak is juicy and tender. Some tri-tips may be sold untrimmed with a fat cap on one side, which you can ask your butcher to remove if you prefer. The fat cap can be useful if you want to get a nice charred crust on all sides, but it's not necessary if you're air-frying.

Since there are only two tri-tips on a cow, this cut may be hard to find in certain regions, so you might need to source a good butcher who can order it for you. Ask for a California or Santa Maria cut if you're unsure—any good butcher should know this cut.

When preparing your tri-tip for air-frying, it's important to bring the steak to room temperature before cooking. This will help you achieve that crunchy crust and rich, meaty flavour. Pat the steak dry with paper towels, then rub in a little oil to help your seasoning stick. Be generous with your seasoning, using a rub or simple salt and pepper.

Now you're ready to cook your tri-tip in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for around 14-18 minutes for a medium-rare steak, or adjust the time according to your desired doneness.

Let the steak rest for 10 minutes after cooking, tented with foil, to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat moist and tender.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked tri-tip steak!

Preparing and air frying the tri-tip steak

Preparing and air frying a tri-tip steak is a straightforward process that can yield delicious results. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect air-fried tri-tip:

Seasoning:

Begin by rinsing and patting dry the tri-tip steak. Then, generously season the steak with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as the base seasoning. You can also add other seasonings or rubs according to your taste preferences. For example, you can use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or your favourite steak rub. Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes after seasoning to ensure more even cooking.

Coating:

Lightly coat the steak with olive oil or high-heat cooking oil. This step will enhance browning and contribute to a flavorful crust on the steak. You can also add a little drizzle of oil to help the seasonings stick better.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for approximately 5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the steak starts cooking immediately when placed in the air fryer, resulting in better searing and flavour.

Placement:

Place the seasoned and oiled tri-tip steak in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking. Leave some space around the steak for proper airflow and even cooking.

Temperature and Time:

Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and adjust the time depending on your preferred doneness. For a medium-rare steak, set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Reduce the time for rare and increase it for medium or well-done. The cooking time will also depend on the thickness of the steak. For a thicker steak, you may need to cook it for a longer duration.

Flipping:

Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on both sides. This will help you achieve a consistent doneness and browning on both sides of the steak.

Checking Doneness:

For precise results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. Aim for an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, 140°F (60°C) for medium, and so on. This guarantees that your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Resting:

After cooking, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a juicier and more tender steak. This step is crucial for optimal flavour and texture.

Slicing and Serving:

To maximize tenderness, slice the tri-tip steak against the grain. This means cutting perpendicular to the lines of muscle fibres. Slice the steak thinly and at a slight diagonal angle for larger slices. Plate your air-fried tri-tip steak and serve it with your favourite sides. You can also garnish with fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of chopped garlic.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for your tri-tip in an air fryer will depend on how well you like your beef cooked, how thick your tri-tip is, and how hot your air fryer heats.

As a general rule, you should cook your tri-tip at 400°F (200°C) for a medium-rare steak. The cooking time typically ranges from 10 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak. If you are cooking a thicker steak, it will take longer to cook. For a rare steak, reduce the cooking time, and for a medium or well-done steak, increase it.

If you are cooking your tri-tip in an air fryer, it is important to flip the steak halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking on both sides. This is especially important if you are cooking a thicker cut of meat, as you want to avoid overcooking the outside while the inside remains undercooked.

To achieve the perfect doneness, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C). For a medium steak, the internal temperature should be 140°F (60°C).

After removing the steak from the air fryer, it is important to let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a juicier and more tender steak.

Additionally, when slicing your tri-tip, cut against the grain to maximise tenderness. The grain refers to the lines of muscle fibres running through the meat. Slicing against the grain shortens these fibres, making each bite more tender. It is also recommended to slice the steak thinly to enhance tenderness and provide more surface area for any crust or seasoning.

Resting the steak

During the resting period, the steak should be removed from the air fryer and placed on a cutting board or platter. It is then loosely tented with aluminium foil to keep it warm. The steak will continue to cook during this time, and the internal temperature will rise. For example, if the desired doneness is medium-rare, which corresponds to an internal temperature of 135°F, the steak should be removed from the air fryer at around 125°F, as the temperature will continue to rise by about 10°F during the resting period.

The duration of the resting period depends on the desired doneness of the steak. For a medium-rare steak, 5 minutes of resting time is usually sufficient, while a well-done steak may require up to 10 minutes. It's important to note that the steak will continue to cook even after being removed from the air fryer, so it's crucial to monitor the internal temperature to avoid overcooking.

Additionally, the thickness of the steak also plays a role in determining the resting time. Thicker steaks, such as those with a thickness of 1.5 to 2 inches, will require a longer resting period compared to thinner cuts. This is because the heat needs more time to distribute evenly throughout the thicker cut of meat.

In conclusion, resting the steak after air frying is essential to ensure a juicy and tender final product. By allowing the juices to redistribute and the steak to reach the desired internal temperature, the resting period enhances the flavour and texture of the meat. The duration of the resting time depends on the desired doneness and the thickness of the steak, with thicker steaks and higher levels of doneness requiring longer resting periods.

Slicing and serving the steak

Slicing:

• Always slice the tri-tip steak against the grain to maximise tenderness. Identify the direction of the muscle fibres and cut perpendicular to them.
• Slice the steak thinly to enhance tenderness and allow for better flavour distribution.
• Angle your knife slightly diagonally when slicing to create larger, more appealing slices.

Serving:

• Arrange the sliced steak neatly on a platter or individual plates.
• Garnish with fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of chopped garlic for added flavour and visual appeal.
• Pair your air-fried tri-tip steak with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, or a crisp green salad for a balanced meal.

Additional Tips:

• Experiment with different seasonings, rubs, or marinades to create unique flavour profiles.
• Get to know your specific air fryer's cooking times and temperatures, as they can vary between models.
• Allow the steak to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking, before slicing and serving, to let the juices redistribute and ensure a juicier, more tender steak.
• For an extra boost of flavour and a more appealing sear, sear the steak in a hot skillet for a minute or two after air frying.
• Practice makes perfect! Don't be discouraged if your first attempt doesn't turn out as expected. Each try will bring you closer to mastering the art of cooking tri-tip steak.

Frequently asked questions