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My Tri-Tip Dry Rub recipe blends savory spices to perfectly complement the flavors of tri-tip steak! It’s a must-have pairing that comes together in under 5 minutes using simple pantry seasonings. You won’t believe how much flavor such a simple recipe adds!
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Rub for Tri Tip
My dry rub for tri tip steak is the perfect way to infuse the meat with so much flavor before you even cook it. I primarily use this rub for smoked beef, but you can also use it on grilled steak, roast steak, or pan-seared steak. Other cuts of beef pair well with this rub, too!
Tri-tip is a delicious cut of beef to feature for your main course. It’s budget-friendly, big enough to feed a crowd, and pairs beautifully with my tri-tip rub recipe. It will be tender, juicy, and flavorful every single time!
With just the right amount of aromatic garlic flavor, this rub for tri tip complements the tenderness of the beef in a simple but effective way. You’ll love every bite!
Tri Tip Seasoning Ingredients
- Course Salt: I recommend using coarse kosher salt or sea salt flakes. Fine table salt won’t taste as good.
- Course Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper works best, but use what you have on hand.
- Granulated Garlic: Perfect for adding garlicky flavor without the risk of burning fresh garlic has.
- Fresh Thyme: I love, love, love using fresh thyme or rosemary for this tri tip seasoning. However, you can also use dried thyme, or other similar dried herbs, if you prefer. Just remember to use less dried herbs than fresh; the flavor is stronger.
Dry Rub for Tri Tip Instructions
- Add coarse salt, coarse black pepper, granulated garlic, and fresh chopped thyme to a small bowl.
- Whisk ingredients until fully combined.
- Store until ready to use, and enjoy!
How to Season Tri Tip
- Begin by trimming excess fat from tri-tip steak before seasoning.
- Sprinkle my tri tip dry rub on all sides of the beef. Use your hands to work the rub into the meat. Alternatively, you can place the steak in a plastic bag, coat it with seasoning, then close and shake the bag.
- Cover the meat after the rub has been applied, and add to the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, up to overnight. Cook as desired.
Tri Tip Seasoning Rub Tips
- Store tri-tip rub in a mason jar or other airtight container in a cool, dry place such as your pantry with your other spices. Make sure to label with the seasoning date. Tri-tip rub will last indefinitely, but is best used within 6 months. You should avoid using fresh herbs if storing for a long period of time. Instead, use dried thyme.
- When using dried herbs or spices, check the expiration date. The fresher the herbs, the better the flavor will be.
- Give the rub time to work into the meat; at least 2 hours in the fridge should be enough time, but overnight is best.
Tri Tip Rubs FAQ
My tri tip rub recipe includes salt, pepper, thyme, and granulated garlic. This creates a savory blend of seasonings that complements the beef well.
Dry rubs and marinades both add flavor to beef, but they are not the same. Dry rubs don’t have liquid, whereas marinades always do; typically, marinades contain vinegar, oil, or citrus juice, which is used to break down the tough fibers in the meat. Rubs help add flavor without breaking down the protein, so they’re great for cuts that are already tender, like tri-tip.
You can pre-mix your tri tip dry rub and leave it in an airtight, sealed container for up to 6 months when left in a cool, dry area of your kitchen (typically a pantry or spice shelf).
This tri-tip rub is a naturally gluten and grain free rub. As always, check each ingredient for proper allergy and food handling instructions.
For best flavor, use fresh minced garlic as well as granulated garlic. Both add a depth of flavor to the seasoning blend. To use fresh garlic with the rub, simply mince fresh garlic and either apply it to the steak as it’s cooking or reverse sear the steak in garlic butter. Make sure not to store for a long time if you’re using fresh garlic.
Uses for Tri Tip Seasoning
- Use it for smoked burgers
- Try it as a dry rub for ribeye
- It’s perfect with a prime rib roast
- I love it on boneless sirloin or picanha steak
Tri Tip Marinade Variation
- To make this dry rub into a marinade, you can combine ½ cup olive oil and the juice of half a lemon with the seasoning and allow the meat to marinate 2 hours or up to overnight. This is great for steak, chicken, shrimp, lamb, and even vegetables.
Easy Seasoning Recipes
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Recipe
Tri Tip Rub
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Fresh Thyme
- 2 Tablespoons Coarse Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Coarse Black Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Granulated Garlic
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine minced fresh garlic, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and fresh thyme.¼ Cup Fresh Thyme, 2 Tablespoons Coarse Salt, 2 Tablespoons Coarse Black Pepper, 2 Tablespoons Granulated Garlic
- Whisk ingredients until fully blended.
- Store until ready to use.
Notes
- This is enough seasoning for a 5 pound tri-tip.
- I like to store my tri-tip rub in a mason jar, which I can leave right in my pantry for quick access when I need a seasoning blend!
- When using dried herbs or spices, always check the expiration date. The fresher the herbs, the more intense the flavors will be.
- Be sure to give your rub time to work into the meat, this is not a step you want to skip!
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