How Much Tri Tip Per Person! The Right Serving Size!

Are you trying to plan a dinner for your family or a holiday gathering of friends and family? If so, you may be wondering how much tri tip per person you should cook. You do not want to run out of food, but an excessive amount will go to waste, so it’s important to get the amounts just right.

After all – nobody likes seeing wasted food! In this blog post, we’ll offer some helpful tips on calculating how much tri tip per person is needed at your next event. With our advice in mind, you can feel confident that everyone leaves with their stomachs full and satisfied!

A quick answer is:

What Is a Tri-Tip?

Tri-tip is a cut of beef that comes from the bottom sirloin. It’s flavorful and tender, making it one of the most popular cuts amongst beef fans.

Importance of Tri-Tip in American cuisine

Tri-tip is a popular cut of beef in the United States. It’s used for grilling, roasting, and even smoking. The tri-tip steak is so well-known that its name was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 1996.

Why do people prefer tri-tip?

Well, people love the tri-tip not just because it is flavorful but also because it is a relatively budget-friendly cut of beef. The tri-tip may be small, but its taste packs a punch without breaking your wallet!

Factors that Determine the Amount of Tri-Tip per Person

When calculating how much tri-tip to serve per person, there are a few factors to consider. The first is how many people will be attending the event (the number of guests). Be sure to account for all guests – including children!

| Read: Is Wagyu Beef Worth the Splurge? Look at The Price per Pound

The second factor is how large an appetite each guest has. Do some of your guests eat more than others? Lastly, consider how many side dishes are being served with the tri-tip. You’ll need less tri-tip per person if there are other proteins and sides.

Calculating How Much Tri-Tip per Person

Now that you know how to calculate how much tri tip per person, let’s consider how many ounces of beef you’ll need for each guest. As a general rule, plan on half of a pound per person (1/2 lbs of trip tip/per person).

That means:

• If you have 10 guests, you’ll need around 5 pounds of tri-tip.
• To serve 12 guests, you’ll need about 6 pounds of tri-tip.
• To serve 25 guests, you’ll need about 12.5 pounds of tri-tip.
• To serve 50 guests, you’ll need about 25 pounds of tri-tip.
• To serve 100 guests, you’ll need about 50 pounds of tri-tip.

If some of your guests are known to be hungrier than others, you may want to increase the amount slightly.

If you have leftovers, no worries! Tri-tip is actually delicious the next day, so there’s no need to worry about any food going to waste.

Serving and Preserving Tips

When serving tri-tip at your event, be sure to let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make for a more tender piece of meat. Additionally, any leftover tri-tip should be stored in an airtight container and placed in the fridge as soon as possible. This will help ensure it stays fresh and delicious!

How to prepare Tri-Tip for serving

The first thing you should do is choose the right cut. Make sure the meat is at least one inch thick. If it’s thinner than that, you may need to cook it faster or lower the heat.

Next, season and marinate your tri-tip according to your preferences. This will help develop even more flavor and make for a much tastier meal.

The best way to prepare tri-tip is to rub a generous amount of your favorite dry rub onto the meat before grilling or roasting. This will add flavor and make the steak extra delicious.

When grilling tri-tip, it’s important not to overcook it. The meat should be cooked on medium-high heat for around 8–10 minutes a side, or until it is cooked to your desired doneness. If you’re roasting the tri-tip in the oven, cook it at 375°F and roast it for 10-15 minutes per pound.

What Side Dishes Can You Use with Tri-Tip?

Tri-tip is a versatile cut of beef that can be paired with many different sides. You can serve your tri-tip with a variety of delightful side dishes. Instead of choosing costly or extremely flavorful sides, choose ones that are more complimentary if you want your tri-tip to be the star of the dish.

Some popular options include:

• Roasted and grilled vegetables
• Mashed potatoes
• Pasta salad
• Coleslaw

For those looking for something heartier, try pairing your tri-tip with macaroni and cheese or baked beans.

3 Tri-Tip Recipes for Different Serving Styles

If you need some ideas for serving tri-tip at your next event, here are three recipes you can try.

• Grilled Tri-Tip with herb marinade
• Tri-Tip Sliders with caramelized onions
• Grilled Tri-Tip Kabobs

#1 Grilled Tri-Tip with herb marinade

Here is a basic recipe for grilled tri-tip with herb marinade:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lb tri-tip roast
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the tri-tip to the bowl and turn to coat in the marinade.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
4. Preheat a grill to high heat.
5. Remove the tri-tip from the marinade and shake off any excess.
6. Place the tri-tip on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
7. Let the tri-tip rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Read More: Don’t Get Burned: Properly Use a Meat Slicer on Hot Meat

#2 Tri-Tip Sliders with caramelized onions

Here is a recipe for making tri-tip sliders with caramelized onions:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lb tri-tip roast
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 12 slider buns
• Optional toppings: cheese, lettuce, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, etc.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Season the tri-tip with salt and pepper.
2. Place the tri-tip in a roasting pan and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
3. Remove the tri-tip from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
4. While the tri-tip is resting, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until they are soft and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in the butter and season with salt to taste.
5. To assemble the sliders, slice the buns and place a cheese slice on each bun’s bottom half. Top with a slice of tri-tip, a spoonful of caramelized onions, and any other desired toppings. Place the top half of the bun on top and serve.

#3 Grilled Tri-Tip Kabobs

Here is a recipe for making grilled tri-tip kabobs:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lb tri-tip roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 8 large mushrooms, halved
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wooden skewers (soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning)

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
2. Add the tri-tip cubes, bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms to the bowl and turn to coat in the marinade.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
4. Preheat a grill to high heat.
5. Thread the marinated ingredients onto the skewers, alternating between the tri-tip, bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms.
6. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes, occasionally turning, or until the tri-tip is cooked to your desired level.
7. Serve the kabobs hot off the grill with rice or your favorite side dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I need to marinate tri-tip?

For best results, marinate your tri-tip for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. This will allow the marinade to really penetrate the meat and give it a delicious flavor.

Check out this video for The Perfect Tri Tip in the Oven

What temperature should I cook tri-tip to?

Aim for an internal temperature of 130°F when cooking your tri-tip for medium-rare. For medium, cook the roast until it reaches 140°F internally. If you prefer your tri-tip well done, cook it until the internal temperature is 150°F. Let the roast rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How many people can a 2.5-pound tri-tip feed?

As a general rule, 1/2 pound of tri-tip is served per person. 2.5 lbs of tri-tip can feed 4-5 people, depending on their appetites and whether you serve any side dishes with the tri-tip.

How to slide the tri-tip correctly?

To properly slice the tri-tip, first, let it rest for 10 minutes after cooking. Then, use a sharp knife to cut the roast against the grain into thin slices. The slices should be about 1/4 inch thick for optimal tenderness. Cut in one continuous motion with even pressure for the best results.

Can I cook a tri-tip in the oven?

Yes, you can cook your tri-tip in the oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F and season the roast with salt and pepper. Place it in a roasting pan and roast for 20-25 minutes or until an internal temperature of 130°F is reached. Let the roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Depending on the size of your group and their level of hunger, you’ll want to plan on anywhere from ½ pound to 1 pound of tri-tip per person. If you’re serving sides, you can probably get away with a little less meat. When in doubt, it’s always better to have too much than not enough! No one will leave your event hungry if there’s plenty of food to go around. And who knows, maybe you’ll even have some leftovers for yourself.

Further Reading:

• The Contribution of Different Tenderness Factors to Beef Loin, Tri-Tip and Heel Tenderness
• How to Grill Tri Tip 
• Tri-tip Roast Nutrition Facts