CarneAtlas

Tri-tip

Beef · Bottom Sirloin
GrillRoastSmoke
Also called
🇦🇷Colita de cuadril🇫🇷Aiguillette de rumsteck🇪🇸Rabillo de cadera🇮🇹Codone🇩🇪Bürgermeisterstück🇧🇷Maminha
Raw Tri-tip — Beef Bottom Sirloin cut

Mark Miller, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Tri tip.JPG

The tri-tip is a triangular muscle from the bottom sirloin, known for its rich flavor and moderate tenderness. It has a distinctive grain that runs in two directions, which makes proper slicing against the grain essential. Popular in California barbecue culture, it is typically roasted or grilled whole and then sliced thin for serving.

Names by country

CountryNameNotes
🇺🇸United StatesTri-tipprimaryAlso called Santa Maria steak in California
🇬🇧United KingdomTri-tipRelatively uncommon in the UK, sometimes called triangle steak
🇦🇷ArgentinaColita de cuadrilA popular asado cut in Argentina
🇫🇷FranceAiguillette de rumsteck
🇪🇸SpainRabillo de cadera
🇮🇹ItalyCodoneThe triangular tail of the scamone (rump cap).
🇩🇪GermanyBürgermeisterstückLiterally 'mayor's piece' — traditionally so prized it was reserved for the mayor.
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Similar cuts

→ See all Tri-tip substitutes by country
TenderloinRoundBottom SirloinRibPlateChuckShort LoinBrisketFlankSirloinShankShank

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Classic recipe

Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tip1 hr

Tri-tip was popularised in Santa Maria, California, and is still cooked over red oak coals in the original tradition. A…

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Sources