30 Smoked Tri Tip Recipes That Will Make Your Taste Buds Sing!

October 8, 2024
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Tri tip is a delicious and tender cut of meat that does so well when smoked. So, if you are curious how to manage this, these smoked tri tip recipes will point you in the right direction! From simple dishes to ones with incredible flavors, find everything you need right here! 

smoked tri tip recipe

1. Simple Smoked Tri Tip

This may be a simple recipe but the results are incredible! Begin by coating the tri tip in salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then, add to the smoker and cook until the cut of meat is tender. Then, heat a cast iron skillet and melt some butter in it along with a rosemary sprig. Sear the beef on each side, rest, and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Simple Smoked Tri Tip

2. Apple Smoked Tri Tip

People tend to use stronger woods when smoking cuts of beef like tri tip. However, this recipe takes a softer approach with apple wood. This infuses the tri tip with a light and sweet smoky flavor that allows the beefy flavor of the cut to really stand out! 

Get the recipe here

Apple Smoked Tri Tip

3. Spiced Smoked Tri Tip

If you want to boost the flavor of your smoked tri tip while still letting the natural flavor profile shine, this is the recipe for you! Here, mix spices like paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper and pat on a thick coating on the tri tip. Then, smoke until the tri tip can be easily sliced! 

Get the recipe here

Spiced Smoked Tri Tip

4. Smoked Tri Tip with Herb Sicilian Sauce

The bright and punchy flavors of this dish make it the ultimate summertime meal! Start by sprinkling on a beef rub onto the tri tip before smoking. As it cooks, blend fresh herbs with lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. Once the tri tip is done, slice, and then drizzle with the sauce. 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tri Tip with Herb Sicilian Sauce

5. Herb and Garlic Smoked Tri Tip with Horseradish Dipping Cream 

In this recipe, the smoked tri tip boasts fresh and aromatic flavors that is then complemented with the spiciness of the sauce. The first step is to mix minced garlic, rosemary, pepper, and bouillon cube together. Rub this all over the tri tip and smoke. In the meantime, make up the horseradish cream! 

Get the recipe here

Herb and Garlic Smoked Tri Tip with Horseradish Dipping Cream 

6. Smoked Tri Tip with Smoked Garlic Chimichurri

Savory, smoky, fresh - there are just so many flavors to enjoy with this smoked tri tip! You first need to smoke a garlic bulb - you will use this to make the chimichurri. Then, coat the tri tip in your choice of seasonings or rubs. Smoke the cut, rest, and then slice before serving with the chimichurri! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tri Tip with Smoked Garlic Chimichurri

7. Herb and Coffee Smoked Tri Tip

This is certainly an interesting mix of flavors but one that works so well with the smoked tri tip! Start by sprinkling the beef with a combination of ground coffee, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and then smoking. Once tender, melt butter and fresh herbs in a pan and sear the tri tip in this! 

Get the recipe here

Herb and Coffee Smoked Tri Tip

8. Smoked Tri Tip with Whiskey Reduction

The whiskey sauce adds a touch of richness to the smoked tri tip while you still get to enjoy the natural beefy flavors of the cut! Coat the tri tip in your favorite BBQ rub and then smoke low and slow. While this is happening, reduce whiskey, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and seasonings. Drizzle the sauce over sliced tri tip. 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tri Tip with Whiskey Reduction

9. Maple Bourbon Smoked Tri Tip 

This recipe may sound super fancy but it is actually really simple thanks to the maple bourbon rub! Choose your favorite and then apply liberally to your tri tip. Smoke the tri tip until tender. Then, drizzle in bourbon and sear, creating a gorgeous crust on top! 

Get the recipe here

Maple Bourbon Smoked Tri Tip 

10. 3 Day Smoked Tri Tip

This smoked tri tip tastes absolutely amazing but it does require patience! As the name suggests, this tri tip has to be marinated in beer, bourbon, soy, mustard, habanero sauce, and garlic for 3 days! Once this time is up, pop the tri tip on the smoker and cook until perfect! 

Get the recipe here

3 Day Smoked Tri Tip

11. Whiskey Marinated Tri Tip

This is another recipe that really brings the flavor! Here, you marinate the tri tip in a mixture of whiskey, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and seasonings. Then, place on the smoker and cook low and slow for a while. Then, sear over direct heat before resting! 

Get the recipe here

Whiskey Marinated Tri Tip

12. Red Wine Vinegar Reverse Seared Smoked Tri Tip

This is a light and tangy smoked tri tip! In this recipe, the tri tip is marinated in red wine vinegar, mustard, and spices for several hours. When the time is up, the tri tip is first smoked at a low temperature. When the meat is done, the tri tip is seared to develop a delicious crust! 

Get the recipe here

Red Wine Vinegar Reverse Seared Smoked Tri Tip

13. Ancho Smoked Tri Tip

If you want a slightly spicy, more traditional BBQ flavor with your tri tip, then this is the recipe for you! This tri tip is coated in a delicious variety of ancho chili powder, brown sugar, garlic granules, and cayenne. Let the tri tip stand for a while and then place in the smoker until tender! 

Get the recipe here

Ancho Smoked Tri Tip

14. Coffee and Spice Smoked Tri Tip

The star of the show is this rub - it is deep and complex and really boosts the natural flavors of the tri tip. Begin by mixing coffee, coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne, chili powder, and more. Sprinkle this all over the tri tip and smoke the cut. Then, sear and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Coffee and Spice Smoked Tri TipSmoked Tri Tip with Garlic Oil Basting Sauce

15. Smoked Tri Tip with Garlic Oil Basting Sauce

There are so many layers of flavors in this recipe! The first step is to sprinkle on smoky spices onto the tri tip and let this marinate for a while. In the meantime, simmer garlic in oil until fragrant and stir in red wine vinegar. Sear the tri tip and then smoke, making sure to baste with the garlic oil every few minutes! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tri Tip with Garlic Oil Basting Sauce

16. Teriyaki Smoked Tri Tip

Yes, you can make your smoked tri tip taste a little bit like takeout! It all starts with marinating the tri tip in a homemade teriyaki sauce. Once done, you can begin to smoke the teriyaki until it is tender. When the beef is done, heat garlic butter and rosemary in a skillet and sear the tri tip in this! 

Get the recipe here

Teriyaki Smoked Tri Tip

17. Bloomed Smoked Tri Tip

For this recipe, you are going to bloom the mustard and spices in the oil. This allows the flavors to really penetrate into the tri tip, making it a truly delicious cut. So, go ahead and follow these steps to learn how to make next-level smoked tri tip!  

Get the recipe here

Bloomed Smoked Tri Tip

18. Smoked Tri Tip Tacos

If you want the most delicious tacos, then you should follow this recipe! Here, the tri tip is coated in a spice rub and then marinated in orange juice, herbs, and aromatics. Once the flavors have been absorbed, the tri tip is smoked. Then, slice the tri tip and add to tortillas along with desired toppings! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tri Tip Tacos

19. Smoked Chipotle Tri Tip

If you want a smoky, slightly spicy tri tip, then this is the recipe that is going to help you out! Coat the tri tip with chipotle and other spices and marinate for about 24 hours. Then, smoke the beef until nearly done. Follow this up by searing the tri tip, resting, and serving! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Chipotle Tri Tip

20. Smoked Tex Mex Style Tri Tip

This tri tip is the perfect balance between tangy and smoky! The key is marinating the tri tip in a a blended mix of chipotle, adobo sauce, spices, aromatics, shoyu, and orange juice. Then, sear the tri tip before smoking it low and slow! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tex Mex Style Tri Tip

21. Smoked Chocolate Chipotle Tri Tip

Chocolate can seem like a weird thing to add to beef but it adds such a rich and deep flavor! Inject the tri tip with sauce, coat in cocoa powder, chipotle powder, and other seasonings and marinate. Then, pop the tri tip on the smoker and cook! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Chocolate Chipotle Tri Tip

22. Smoked Tri Tip and Beer Cheese Sauce Sandwich 

This is the perfect recipe for a barbecue! All you have to do is season the tri tip with garlic and cayenne pepper and then smoke and sear. In the meantime, whip up a beer and cheese sauce. Slice the tri tip thinly and add to rolls along with the sauce and crispy onions! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tri Tip and Beer Cheese Sauce Sandwich 

23. Beer Marinated Smoked Tri Tip

Beer is excellent for tenderizing the meat and adding flavor too! Begin by marinating the tri tip in beer, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Then, sprinkle with herbs and spices and smoke. Make sure to baste the beer with a mix of beer, vinegar, and spices to add flavor and moisture to the cut! 

Get the recipe here

Beer Marinated Smoked Tri Tip

24. Texas Style Smoked Tri Tip

If you like Texas style barbecue then you should definitely give this recipe a try! It is going to give your tri tip a more traditional BBQ flavor. The main points is to marinate the tri tip in the rub and baste with butter for the perfect results! 

Get the recipe here

Texas Style Smoked Tri Tip

25. Lemon Garlic Marinated Smoked Tri Tip

The light and bright flavors of this tri tip make it such a delicious summery dish! All you have to do is to marinate the tri tip in a mix of lemon juice, garlic, and coconut aminos. Then, season the tri tip with salt and pepper before smoking. Rest, slice, and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Lemon Garlic Marinated Smoked Tri Tip

26. Montreal Smoked Tri Tip

What makes this smoked tri tip truly outstanding is that it contains the most incredible spices! Here, the tri tip is coated in Hungarian paprika, granulated garlic, granulated onion, coriander powder, dill seeds, and mustard seeds. This forms a delicious crust as the tri tip smokes! 

Get the recipe here

Montreal Smoked Tri Tip

27. Herb and Spice Smoked Tri Tip

This tri tip is flavored with a little bit of everything! Season the tri tip and then marinate in fresh herbs, spices, garlic, and soy sauce. Once thoroughly coated, pop the tri tip in the smoker and cook until nice and tender! 

Get the recipe here

Herb and Spice Smoked Tri Tip

28. Honey Herb and Spice Smoked Tri Tip 

There is a perfect balance of flavors here - sweetness, earthiness, and smokiness. For this recipe, the tri tip is coated in olive oil and honey before being sprinkled with herbs and spices. It is then smoked until perfectly tender and sliced! 

Get the recipe here

Honey Herb and Spice Smoked Tri Tip 

29. Smoked Tri Tip with Sauteed Mushroom 

This is a great recipe for a full meal! The tri tip is lightly seasoned and then smoked. The steak is then smoked before being rested and then being seared with garlic and butter. In the meantime, saute mushrooms in shoyu and serve alongside the tri tip. 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tri Tip with Sauteed Mushroom 

30. Smoked Tri Tip with Salsa 

With this recipe, the fresh flavors of the tri tip are complemented by the tangy flavors of the salsa! Begin by coating the tri tip with garlic and dried herbs and then smoking. Pair the rested and sliced tri tip with a smoked tomato salsa!

Get the recipe here

Smoked Tri Tip with Salsa 

Smoking tri tip may be a bit of a new experience for you but these recipes will guide you through the process. What's more, you can find a ton of different ways to flavor this cut of meat to get a new and exciting dish each time! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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