This quick and easy skillet tri-tip steak is sure to impress your entire family. I like that it has simple and fresh ingredients that aren’t processed. It’s also good because you use a cast iron skillet to cook instead of having to cook on the barbecue grill. Pair it with a side of green beans and you are set!
Tri-tip steak, aka Santa Maria steak (for the California town that made it famous), is a very flavorful cut of meat that is ideal for cooking quickly at higher temperatures. Tri-tip used to be hard to find outside of California, but it is now more widely available thanks to its growing popularity with consumers who love its incredible flavor and relatively lower price point.
This no-fuss recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes, so it is ideal for a busy weeknight meal.
SKILLET TRI-TIP STEAK
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
2 T. extra virgin oil
1 T. kosher salt
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
2 t. garlic powder
1 T. fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
2 lbs. tri-tip steak, approximately 1” thick
Helpful Kitchen Tools:
Directions:
Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron or other heavy-duty skillet over medium-high heat.
Combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary in a small bowl. Rub the salt mixture on all sides of the steak and place in the hot skillet. Sear steak on both sides, approximately 2 minutes per side.
Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking the steaks for another 6-8 minutes, turning once to cook evenly on each side. This will yield medium-rare to medium steaks (internal temperature of 145° – 160°F). Cook for another 2-3 minutes for more well done steaks. (For thinner steaks, reduce cooking time by 3-5 minutes).
Remove steaks from skillet and loosely cover. Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. To serve, cut steaks in thin slices against the grain for more tender results.
If you enjoyed this recipe, post a picture in the comments!
Wade D Christy says
I’m not a mom. I’m a guy, but I intend to try this recipe this evening and make some sandwiches on hard rolls. I really want to make more use of my cast iron skillet. Thank you for the tutorial,and enjoy your day,
Jaime says
I hope you enjoyed it!
Wade D Christy says
Hello Jaime,
I’m a doofus when it comes to cooking. I can cook eggs fairly well, but that’s about it. I tried your tri tip recipe, and it was juicy and delicious, without having multiple steps in the preparation process. I’m not a sweets guy, so I’d like to see what other recipes you have up your sleeve. Enjoy your weekend.
Wade in Olympia, WA
Janet says
I tried this recipe tonight, all I can say is WOW! My husband was so impressed with the tri tip. I will definitely be making this recipe again. It was super easy. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Jaime says
I’m so glad your husband enjoyed it, Janet! (I hope you did, too!)
Kelly brunot says
Great, GREAT ! recipe !!! Really enjoyed the simple steps that let me get to a flavorful, tender, YUMMY cut of meat . Dinner was wonderful because the tri-tip was so very mmmm – yummy !! Thanks for sharing !!!