A tender, delicious, and quick-cooking roast that can be made from start to finish in a cast-iron skillet.

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Cooking a roast can sound intimidating. I used to avoid trying to make large cuts of meat like this because I just didn’t know how to cook them properly.  Turns out it’s an easy way to make a delicious meal that feels fancy!

First things first, let’s talk about what exactly a tri-tip roast is. It’s a flavorful and relatively lean cut of beef that comes from the bottom sirloin area of the cow. It’s a triangular cut of beef, hence its other names like triangle roast or bottom sirloin steak. When cooked properly, it’s tender, juicy, and bursting with savory goodness.

Here’s what you’ll need to cook a tri-tip roast in a cast iron pan:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole tri-tip roast (approximately 2-3 pounds)
• Black pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Sea Salt

Tools:

• Large cast iron skillet
• Meat thermometer (preferably instant-read)
• Cutting board
• Large Metal Tongs

Now, let’s get cooking!

1. Take your tri-tip roast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This ensures more even cooking throughout the roast. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. While your roast is coming to room temperature, season it generously with salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder on both sides. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; it’s what gives the roast its delicious flavor.
3. Place your cast iron skillet on the stove over high heat and let it get nice and hot. You want it to be smoking hot before you add the roast to get that perfect sear.
4. Once your skillet is hot enough, carefully place the seasoned tri-tip roast fat side down. Let it sear for about 3-4 minutes until it develops a beautiful crust, then flip it over and sear the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes.
5. Check the internal temperature. To ensure your roast is cooked perfectly, it’s crucial to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the roast.
   For a medium-rare steak, you’re aiming for an internal temperature of around 135° degrees F (57°C). Keep in mind that the temperature will rise a few degrees as the roast rests.
6. If the roast needs more cooking time to come up to the proper temperature, place the cast iron skillet in the preheated oven until it reaches the desired temperature.
   135° degrees F (57°C) is perfect for medium rare. Keep in mind that the temperature will rise a few degrees as the roast rests.
   We use a digital thermometer.  THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE.
7. Once your roast reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the skillet and transfer it to a cutting board. For best results, let the meat rest for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Place a tent of tin foil over the roast as it rests.
8. After resting, slice the roast against the grain into thin slices. This ensures a tender and enjoyable eating experience. Serve your perfectly cooked tri-tip roast with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Now, if you’re wondering if you can cook a tri-tip roast on a gas grill instead of a cast iron skillet, the answer is yes! 

• Preheat your grill on high heat with the lid closed and the cast iron skillet inside.  This usually takes around 7-10 minutes.
• Place the roast fat side down and sear for 3-4 minutes.
• Then flip the roast and sear for 3-4 minutes on the other side. To ensure your roast is cooked perfectly, it’s crucial to use a meat thermometer. For the grill, a thermometer with a cord works best, so that you can track the temperature while it’s cooking.  Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the roast. For a medium-rare steak, you’re aiming for an internal temperature of around 130- 135° F (57°C). Keep in mind that the temperature will rise a few degrees as the roast rests.  
  We use a digital thermometer.  THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE.
• If the roast needs more time after searing, reduce the heat to 325 degrees on your grill’s thermometer or medium heat and close the lid.  Keep the meat thermometer in the roast and pull the roast out when it reaches about 130 degrees F.
• Remove the trip tip and let it rest at room temperature for about 5 minutes.

So there you have it!  The best way to cook a tri-tip roast is in a cast iron skillet or on a cast iron grill. With a little patience and the right cooking method, you’ll have a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Once the meat has rested, slice it and serve.

Side Dish Ideas for Tri-Tip Roast

• Mashed Potatoes – Healthy Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes
• Green Beans – Stovetop Green Beans with Garlic
• Broccoli – Crispy Oven-Roasted Broccoli With Lemon and Olive Oil
• Mashed Cauliflower – Creamy Mashed Cauliflower with Garlic
• Parmesan Potato Wedges
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
• Gold Potatoes with Bacon

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How to Cook a Tri-Tip Roast in a Cast-Iron Skillet

A tender, delicious, and quick-cooking roast that can be made from start to finish in a cast-iron skillet.

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Equipment

• 1 Large Cast Iron Skillet
• Meat Thermometer
• Cutting board

Ingredients

• 1 whole tri-tip roast approximately 2-3 pounds
• 2 Tablespoons Black pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Onion powder
• 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
• 2 Tablespoons Sea Salt

Instructions

• Take your tri-tip roast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This ensures more even cooking throughout the roast. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• While your roast is coming to room temperature, season it generously with salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder on both sides. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; it’s what gives the roast its delicious flavor.
• Place your cast iron skillet on the stove over high heat and let it get nice and hot. You want it to be smoking hot before you add the roast to get that perfect sear.
• Once your skillet is hot enough, carefully place the seasoned tri-tip roast fat side down. Let it sear for about 3-4 minutes until it develops a beautiful crust, then flip it over and sear the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature. To ensure your roast is cooked perfectly, it's crucial to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the roast.

  For a medium-rare steak, you're aiming for an internal temperature of around 135° degrees F (57°C). Keep in mind that the temperature will rise a few degrees as the roast rests.
• Put the roast in the preheated oven until it reaches the desired temperature.

  Around 135° degrees F (57°C) for medium rare. Keep in mind that the temperature will rise a few degrees as the roast rests.
• Once your roast reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the skillet and transfer it to a cutting board. For best results, let the meat rest for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Place a tent of tin foil over the roast as it rests.
• After resting, slice the roast against the grain into thin slices. This ensures a tender and enjoyable eating experience. Serve your perfectly cooked tri-tip roast with your favorite sides and enjoy!

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