Tri Tip in the Air Fryer
Tri tip is a California favorite, a small triangular roast with deep beefy flavor that normally needs a grill or a long oven session. Air fryer tri tip takes about 22 minutes at 375 °F and finishes with a browned crust and a juicy pink center. You will find times per pound, doneness temperatures and the right way to slice it.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 42min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 145°F63 °C
- Per serving
- 330kcal
Why the air fryer works for tri tip
Tri tip is cut from the bottom sirloin and is lean, with a thin fat cap on one side. It has a strong beef flavor but little marbling, so it can turn dry if it overcooks. A grill or a smoker is the traditional way to do it, with the fat side down. The air fryer works the same way on a smaller scale, because hot air browns the fat cap and the meat surface while the interior heats gently.
The roast is also uneven by design, thick at one end and thin at the point. That means different parts reach different temperatures, which is a feature if you have guests who like their beef at different degrees of doneness. Measure the thickest part and expect the thin end to be a little more done.
How to make tri tip in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Trim and season Trim any thick, hard fat cap down to about ¼ inch, leaving a thin layer for flavor. Pat the roast dry, rub it with the oil and coat all sides with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and oregano. If you have time, let it sit uncovered in the refrigerator for 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Temper and preheat Take the roast out of the refrigerator before cooking. Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for .
- Cook fat side down Place the tri tip in the basket, fat side down. If the roast is too wide, cut it where the two muscles meet, near the point of the triangle. Cook for .
- Flip and check Turn the roast fat side up and cook for more. Start checking with a thermometer at in total. Many cooks pull tri tip at 130–135 °F for medium-rare, and the USDA recommends 145 °F with a 3-minute rest.
- Rest Move the tri tip to a cutting board and rest it, loosely tented with foil, for . The temperature rises about 5 degrees and the juices settle.
- Slice against the grain Tri tip has two grain directions that meet near the middle. Cut the roast in half there, then slice each half thinly across the grain.
Times and temperatures
| Tri Tip | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Roast, 1½ lb, medium-rarePull at 130–135 °F | 375 °F (190 °C) | 22 min |
| Roast, 2 lbCut to fit the basket | 375 °F (190 °C) | 28–32 min |
| Steaks, 1 inchFlip halfway | 400 °F (200 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Strips or bitesShake once | 400 °F (200 °C) | 5–7 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 145 °F (63 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Use a thermometer. Tri tip is lean, and the difference between medium-rare and gray is a few degrees. Probe the thickest part.
- Salt early. A dry brine of salt an hour or more ahead seasons the meat all the way through and dries the surface for browning.
- Slice thin. Thick slices of lean beef chew harder, so cut them about ¼ inch thick.
Tri tip roast vs. steak
Tri tip is sold as a whole roast of 1½ to 3 lb, and sometimes cut into steaks. A whole roast over 2 lb is a tight fit in most baskets, so ask your butcher for a smaller piece or cut it at the seam. Steaks cook faster and are good for weeknights. For a general steak, see steak in the air fryer, and for a sliced roast with similar timing, try roast beef.
What to serve with tri tip
California style tri tip is served with pinto beans, garlic bread and a green salad. From the air fryer, garlic bread and baked potatoes are easy partners, and broccoli or green beans round out the plate. A simple chimichurri or horseradish cream works as a sauce.
Storing and reheating
Leftover tri tip keeps for 3 to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. For the best texture, slice it cold and warm the slices in the air fryer at 320 °F for 2 to 3 minutes, or until hot. Leftovers should reach 165 °F in the center. Cold slices are great for sandwiches, tacos and salads.
Variations
- Garlic butter: Top the hot, rested slices with a spoonful of butter mixed with minced garlic and parsley.
- Coffee chili rub: Replace the paprika and oregano with 1 tsp chili powder and 1 tsp finely ground coffee for a darker crust.
- Tri tip bites: Cut the raw roast into 1-inch cubes, season and cook at 400 °F for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket once.
If it does not turn out right
- The roast is tough
- It was probably sliced with the grain or cooked past medium. Cut thin slices across the muscle fibers, and pull the roast earlier next time.
- The outside is dark but the center is raw
- The roast was too cold or too thick. Let it sit out for 30 minutes and use 350 °F for roasts over 2 lb, adding 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- The roast does not fit in the basket
- Cut it in two at the natural seam, or trim the thin tip. A 6 qt basket takes a 1½ lb roast, but larger ones need to be cut.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook tri tip in the air fryer?
A 1½ lb tri tip takes about 22 minutes at 375 °F for medium-rare, flipped halfway. Plan on roughly 12 to 15 minutes per pound, and always use a thermometer.
What temperature should tri tip be cooked to?
The USDA recommends 145 °F with a 3-minute rest. For medium-rare, many cooks pull it at 130–135 °F. The temperature rises about 5 degrees while resting.
Can you cook tri tip steak in the air fryer?
Yes. Tri tip steaks, cut 1 inch thick, take 10 to 12 minutes at 400 °F, flipped halfway. Strips for bites take 5 to 7 minutes.
Can I cook a frozen tri tip in the air fryer?
Thaw it first in the refrigerator for the most even result. A tri tip cooked from frozen browns on the outside long before the center warms.
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