Sous Vide Tri Tip

This sous vide tri tip is incredibly tender, juicy and flavorful! The sous vide method makes this the easiest steak ever. It is largely hands off and impossible to overcook. This steak is great for family dinners, leftovers and meal prep!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This sous vide tri tip is hearty and savory.
• This healthy recipe is easy and foolproof.
• Do not worry about overcooking the steak.
• This method of cooking is hands off.
• No grilling! For the oven version, check out this Oven Tri Tip.
• The meat comes out so tender and juicy.
• This recipe uses steak and only pantry staple ingredients.
• This recipe is Whole30 compliant, Keto, Paleo, gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, low carb and nut free.
• Check out this Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin for another great recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for sous vide tri tip. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

For best results, use a fresh tri tip steak. Frozen can be used, but thaw completely beforehand. In fact, these photos were taken using a previously frozen steak. Use about 2 pound steak.

Both sea salt and pepper add some flavoring without being overpowering.

Garlic powder and onion powder also add some subtle flavor. These seasonings allow the steak flavor to really shine.

Sear the tri tip steak in olive oil or butter. Heat cooking fat until hot before searing steak.

What is Tri Tip Steak?

Tri tip steak is incredibly flavorful and typically inexpensive.

This steak is cut from the tri tip sirloin. It is boneless and most steaks are around 1 inch thick.

Tri tip steak was made famous in Santa Maria, California. This town featured tri tip steak at their annual barbecue festival. Due to that, this steak is sometimes called the California cut.

Tri tip is hearty, savory and flavorful. To cook, grill, broil, pan sear or sous vide it.

Although many grocery stores do not sell tri tip, there are some online butchers who do.

Taste & Texture

This sous vide tri tip is hearty and savory. It tastes like a classic steak. This steak is flavorful enough to be eaten without a sauce or condiment.

The texture is tender, juicy and melt in your mouth. The sous vide prevents any overcooking or tough meat.

How to Make

Step 1

First, heat a tall pot of water using sous vide machine. Heat to 133 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Pat steak dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.

Step 3

Place seasoned steak in a vacuum sealable bag or large Ziplock bag.

Step 4

Carefully submerge the bag in the preheated water bath. If using a Ziplock bag, slowly lower bag into water. Once the air has been removed from the bag, zip shut and submerge.

Step 5

Cook for 2 hours in the water bath.

Step 6

Once timer goes off, add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Carefully remove steak from bag.

Step 7

Sear steak for 30 to 60 seconds on each side in the hot olive oil.

Step 8

Finally, remove steak from skillet. Allow it to rest on cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Expert Tips & Tricks

For best results, use a fresh cut of steak. If needed, thaw a frozen steak before beginning this recipe.

I have found organic grass fed steak tastes best.

Do not skimp on the seasonings. Liberally season both sides of the steak.

Before searing the steak, heat oil in skillet until hot. The goal of the sear is to create a beautiful color and flavor, not to cook the steak further. Therefore, only sear for 30 to 60 seconds on each side.

Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into. This helps lock in the juices.

Time & Temperature

For medium rare, sous vide steak at 133 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours as this recipe states.

After searing, this produces a perfect medium rare steak.

The goal with searing is to add a beautiful color and flavor. Do not sear it long enough to further cook the steak.

How to Serve & Store

Serve sous vide tri tip after searing. Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Serve with mashed potatoes, French fries, green beans and potaotes, Sautéed Carrots or roasted veggies.

For low carb, serve with cauliflower rice, a side salad or mashed cauliflower.

This steak is great on top of salads, in wraps, burritos, tacos and sandwiches.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

You May Also Like

• Sous Vide Flank Steak
• Sous Vide Lamb Chops
• Potatoes Sous Vide
• Sous Vide Chicken Thighs
• Sous Vide Chicken Breast

If you make this sous vide tri tip recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Dinner Recipes.

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