How to Reheat Leftover Tri Tip: 10 Best Kitchen Methods

Hey there, meat lovers and grill aficionados! It's Thierry here, back with another sizzling post to fuel your culinary journey. You've had a fabulous BBQ session, cooked an incredible tri-tip roast, but ended up with some leftovers. The next day you're scratching your head, wondering how to reheat tri-tip without ruining its juicy steak goodness. Well, you're in luck, because I'm about to give you the lowdown on the seven best methods to bring that flavorful cut of meat back to life!

this …

1 - Microwave Reheating: The Quickest Fix

- The Good News and Bad News of Microwaving

Okay, let's start with the fastest method: the microwave. Yes, it’s super quick, but it's kind of like that one friend who always runs on caffeine—fast but a bit unstable. The most important thing here is to avoid turning your tri-tip leftovers into rubber.

- Step-by-Step Microwaving

1. Wrap it Up: Place the leftover tri-tip steak in an airtight container.
2. Keep it Moist: Cover the steak with a damp paper towel.
3. Burst and Pause: Microwave the tri-tip in short 10-15 second bursts on medium heat.
4. Check the Heat: Use an instant-read thermometer to aim for around 130°F.
5. Eject: Once you reach the desired temperature, take it out.

👉 Pro Tip: This method is perfect if you're in a hurry, but be careful. Even 10 extra seconds can turn your juicy steak into a dry meat disaster.

2 - Air Fryer Method: Crispy, Not Dry

- The New Kid on the Block

So, you're one of the cool kids who got an air fryer? Well, here’s how you can use it to reheat your tri-tip in a delicious way.

- Air Fry Like a Pro

1. Preheat the Beast: Crank your air fryer up to 375°F.
2. Aluminum Armor: Wrap your leftover steak tightly in aluminum foil. Add some butter for that extra lushness.
3. Into the Basket: Place the wrapped tri-tip in the air fryer basket.
4. Cook Time: Air fry for 3-5 minutes.
5. Check & Serve: Use your meat thermometer or simply touch the foil to gauge if it's done.

👉 Hot Take: Remember, the foil will be hot. Use potholders or let it rest a bit before checking. If you're out of foil, adding a cup of water at the bottom of the air fryer can help keep the meat moist.

3 - Skillet Reheating: The Chef’s Choice

- The Heart of the Kitchen

Ah, the good ol' skillet! It's like the heart of the kitchen. If you're making some pasta or veggies, just toss that leftover tri-tip in there and take your meal to the next level.

- Skillet Magic

1. Heat Source: Preheat the skillet over medium heat.
2. Oil or Butter: Drizzle some olive oil or a pat of butter in the pan.
3. In It Goes: Place the tri-tip steak in and sear each side for about 20-30 seconds.
4. Low and Slow: Reduce to low heat, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes.

👉 A Word to the Wise: This method is perfect if you're already using the skillet for something else. Double-duty cooking, anyone?

4 - Reheating on the Grill: Back to Where it All Began

- Going Full Circle

Let’s go back to the roots, shall we? Grilling is such a great way to reheat your tri-tip, especially if you love that smoky flavor.

- Grill Master Steps

1. Fire It Up: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Wrap It: Use aluminum foil to wrap the meat.
3. Indirect Heat: Place the wrapped meat off the flame.
4. Check Temp: After 4-7 minutes, check the internal temperature.

👉 Grill Pro Tip: Keep a close eye to avoid overcooking. Feel free to sear it directly for 30 seconds on each side before moving it off the flame.

5 - Oven Reheating: Old but Gold

- A Timeless Classic

There’s something comforting about using the oven, isn’t there? It’s a tried-and-true method that’s hard to mess up.

- Oven 101

1. Warm-Up: Preheat to 325°F.
2. Tight Wrap: Seal the tri-tip in aluminum foil.
3. On the Rack: Place the wrapped meat on a baking rack over a tray.
4. Time’s Up: After 15-20 minutes, it should be ready.

👉 Safety First: Always check the internal temperature to avoid overcooking.

6 - Sous Vide Reheating: The Pinnacle of Perfection

- The Creme de la Creme

If you've got a sous vide precision cooker, reheating your tri-tip steak will be an absolute game-changer.

- Sous Vide Brilliance

1. Temp and Time: Set your sous vide to 130°F and immerse your vacuum-sealed tri-tip.
2. Long Soak: Let it sit for 45 minutes to an hour.
3. Final Sear: Optional but recommended—sear each side for about 30 seconds in a hot skillet.

👉 Pure Excellence: This method might take longer, but the result is unparalleled—juicy, tender, and full of flavor.

7 - Crock Pot Reheating: Low and Slow

- Set It and Forget It

If you’ve got a busy day, throw that tri-tip in the crockpot with a cup of beef broth and let it simmer.

- Crockpot Steps

1. Add Liquids: Pour a cup of beef broth into the pot.
2. Meat Time: Add your leftover tri-tip.
3. Low Heat: Set to low and cook for 2-3 hours.

👉 Meal Prep Idea: This is great for repurposing into shredded beef tacos or a savory beef stew.

8 - Steaming: The Humble Genius

- The Underdog

Let's talk about a great option that often flies under the radar: steaming. It's one of the simplest methods to reheat your tri-tip roast without drying it out. And guess what? It can be the fastest method if you set it up right.

- Steamy Steps

1. Preparation: Cut your leftover steak into thin slices.
2. Water Bath: Place a pot of water on medium heat and put a steaming basket above it.
3. Place and Cover: Lay the slices of tri-tip steak in the basket and cover it with a lid.
4. Steaming Time: Allow the meat to steam for about 5-7 minutes.

👉 Most Important Thing: Keep an eye on the internal temperature with your meat thermometer. Aim for around 130°F for medium-rare steak.

9 - Broiling: Crisp but Juicy

- The High Heat Hero

Looking for a delicious way to reheat your tri-tip? Broiling is a great way to get that crusty exterior while keeping the inside juicy. This method uses high heat, so make sure you keep an eye on it.

- Broiler Basics

1. Preheat: Crank your oven up and set it to broil.
2. Baking Sheet Ready: Place your tri-tip roast on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
3. Oil and Season: Lightly brush the meat with olive oil and sprinkle some black pepper or chili powder for extra kick.
4. Under the Heat: Place the baking sheet in the oven for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway for even cooking.

👉 Quick Tips: Keep the oven door ajar to control the heat source better. Always use your instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature.

10 - Vacuum-Sealed Boiling: The Precision Method

- The Oddball that Works

If you're keen on preserving that original BBQ flavor and moisture, boiling your vacuum-sealed tri-tip is a specific but super effective method. It sounds weird, but it gives some of the best results.

- Boiling Guide

1. Vacuum Seal: If you've stored your leftover steak in an airtight container, now's the time to move it to a vacuum sealer bag.
2. Boiling Time: Bring a pot of water to a boil and then reduce to a lower temperature.
3. In the Bag: Drop the vacuum-sealed bag into the water.
4. Cooking Time: Boil for about 10 minutes or until it reaches your desired temperature.

👉 Safety First: Ensure the internal temperature hits at least 130°F to avoid any risk of food poisoning.

Reheating Tri-Tip Steaks vs. Tri-Tip Roast

When it comes to reheating, it's crucial to understand that not all cuts of meat are created equal—even if they're from the same type of steak or roast. This is especially true for the versatile tri-tip, which can be cooked both as individual steaks or as a whole roast. Let's dive into the subtle yet impactful differences between reheating a tri-tip steak and a tri-tip roast.

- Tri-Tip Steaks

Characteristics

• Smaller Pieces: Typically, tri-tip steaks are thinner and smaller, making them quicker to reheat.
• Higher Risk of Drying: Due to their size, these steaks can dry out more quickly if not reheated carefully.
• Fat Side: Tri-tip steaks often have less of a fat cap compared to a whole roast.

Best Methods for Reheating

1. Hot Skillet: One of the simplest and fastest ways is to use a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Just a couple of minutes per side and your steak will be as good as new.
2. Air Fryer: The hot air in an air fryer is great for getting that outer crisp without drying out the steak.
3. Sous Vide: If you're all about maintaining that medium-rare steak perfection, then the sous vide method is unbeatable. Just set your water bath to the desired temperature and let the steak reheat slowly.

- Tri-Tip Roast

Characteristics

• Larger Cut: A tri-tip roast is a substantial piece of meat that requires a longer time to reheat evenly.
• Retains Moisture: Due to its size and often more substantial fat cap, a roast is less prone to drying out.
• More Flavors: A roast will usually have more complex flavors because of the longer original cooking process, which usually involves slow cooking methods or smoking.

Best Methods for Reheating

1. Oven Method: Wrap the roast in aluminum foil and place it on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to a lower temperature—about 250-300 degrees Fahrenheit—and allow the meat to reheat until it reaches an internal temperature of around 130°F for a medium-rare finish.
2. Slow Cooker: A great option for reheating without drying out your roast. Add a cup of beef broth to help maintain moisture.
3. Sous Vide: Just like with the steaks, the sous vide method works wonders for roasts, especially if you want to achieve a specific internal temperature without the fuss.

- Quick Tips for Both

• Room Temperature Start: Always let your meat come to room temperature before beginning the reheating process; this is the best method for even reheating.
• Check the Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to avoid any risk of overcooking or undercooking. An instant-read thermometer is a fantastic tool for this.
• Resting is Key: After reheating, allow the meat to rest for a few minutes to redistribute the juices.

Recipe: Sous Vide Tri Tip

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

If you're looking for a delicious and easy sous vide tri tip recipe, look no further! This recipe is straightforward and yields perfectly cooked and flavorful tri tip every time. Smoking the tri tip after cooking sous vide gives it an extra depth of flavor that is sure to please everyone at your table. Give this recipe a try the next time you're looking for an impressive but simple meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 day day 15 minutes minutes

Course: Best Sous Vide Recipes and Slow Cooker Recipes, Recipes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Rub:

• 1 tablespoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
• (optional)

For the Sear:

• 2 teaspoon olive oil (or enough to brush entire cut and pan)

Optional Seasoning:

• Thyme, rosemary, and garlic for the sous vide cooking
• ½ teaspoon butter (Recommended: Black Truffle Butter)
• (optional)

Instructions

Dry Brine

• Unwrap, rinse meat, and pat dry with paper towels.
  
• On a cutting board, trim excess fat and remove silver skin.
  
• Sprinkle the kosher salt evenly on both sides of the cut and place on a wire rack.
  
• Leave uncovered in your refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight.

Set up your Anova cooker

• Set the Anova cooker for 24 hours at 131°F. This recipe is set for a tender texture and a MEDIUM-RARE cook (130°-135°F). If you like your meat rare/well done, adjust the target temperature as well to taste: -Rare: 120 to 125 degrees F -Medium: 140 to 145 degrees F If you like your meat more firm, I recommend lowering the cooking time to a minimum of 12 hours.
• Vacuum seal your meat. Vacuum sealing is an important step in sous vide cooking, as it allows you to cook the meat evenly and without worry of it drying out. To vacuum seal your tri tip for this recipe, simply place the meat in a vacuum seal bag and use a vacuum sealer to remove all the air from the bag. You can also use a Ziploc bag with the air removed, but make sure that the bag is tightly sealed so that no air can get in. I recommend placing the meat in the bag, together with the thyme sprigs, fresh rosemary sprigs, and garlic (on both side of the cut). Seal the bag.
  

Cooking Directions

• Place the meat in the bath and wait until fully cooked.
  
• When the targeted temperature is reached, take the meat out and place in an ice bag for about 20-30 minutes (depending on thickness of the cut).
  
• Set up your grill following the manufacturer’s instructions for for direct grilling and preheat to high. If you are using a charcoal grill, use about a ¾ or full filled chimney. After about 10-15 minutes, rake the coals into a mound to build a hot fire.
  
• After 20-30 minutes, take the bag out of the ice bath, open and remove the meat, and discard the bag. With a paper towel, remove the thyme, the rosemary, and the garlic. Pat dry and brush with oil on all sides.
  
• If not done already, brush the grill or the cast iron pan with olive oil.
• Reverse searing: place tri tip on the grill, and sear it on direct flame for 5-10 minutes on each side or until desired bark. Keep the lid open and turn it every minute or so using tongs to make sure to not overcook the inside.
  
• Cook for 1 to 3 minutes on each side or until ideal bark/crust forms on all sides and internal temperature in the thickest point reaches: -120° to 125°F (rare) -130-135°F (Medium Rare)
• Brush with additional olive oil throughout the searing.

Finishing Steps

• Remove the meat from the grill / pan and place on a cutting board.
• Sprinkle meat with butter (I personally prefer and recommend using black truffle salt, but any butter works).
  
• Cover loosely for about 5 minutes.
• To taste, sprinkle lightly with Guerrande salt, and slice.

Video

Notes

Recommended Meat for this Recipe: Wagyu Tri Tip. Wagyu beef is the perfect choice for this sous vide tri tip recipe. The rich flavor of Wagyu beef pairs perfectly with the smoky flavors of the grill, and the high fat content ensures that your tri tip will be juicy and flavorful. If you can't find Wagyu beef, any good quality tri tip will work for this recipe.

Removing thick fact cap. The tri tip roast is a cut of beef that comes from the bottom sirloin. It is a triangular shaped muscle, and it is sometimes sold with a thick layer of fat on one side. This fat layer is known as the fat cap, and it should be removed before cooking. The fat cap can be trimmed away with a sharp knife, or it can be left on and removed after cooking. For this recipe, I recommend removing the fat cap before cooking.

Reverse Sear Using a Cast Iron Skillet. If you don't have a smoker, you can still cook this sous vide tri tip recipe to perfection. Just reverse sear the meat using a hot cast iron skillet. Preheat the skillet on the grill or over high heat on the stovetop. Sear the meat on all sides until it is evenly browned, then remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve as desired.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Final Take Away: Choosing the Right Method for You

Whether you're dealing with a delectable tri-tip steak or a mouth-watering roast, understanding these nuances will ensure that your reheated meat is just as delicious as when you first cooked it. Happy reheating! 🥩🔥

Alright, there you have it folks! Ten different ways to reheat your tri-tip steak without compromising on taste or texture. The method you choose ultimately depends on your time, equipment, and the culinary experience you're aiming for.

So go on, give it a whirl and let me know how it turns out. If you're feeling adventurous, maybe even combine two methods for the ultimate tri-tip experience!

Until next time, happy grilling and cooking! 🥩🔥

Butcher's Selection

SRF Wagyu Tri Tip - Black Grade - 2.5 lbs.

Buy Now →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)