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    Home » Recipes » Beef Seasoning Recipes

    Tri-Tip Rub Seasoning

    Published: Jun 24, 2022 Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    My Tri-Tip Rub recipe is the perfect blend of savory spices, and is a must-have pairing with juicy tri-tip steak! Coming together in under 5 minutes with simple ingredients, you are not going to believe how much flavor you can add to tender tri-tip steak by using this easy rub recipe.

    sliced tri tip on a plate with garlic and herbs
    Jump to:
    • Best Tri-Tip Seasoning Blend
    • Tri-Tip Rub FAQs
    • Tri-Tip Rub Ingredients
    • How to Make Tri-Tip Rub
    • How to Apply Tri-Tip Rub
    • Recipe Tips
    • Other Uses for Rub Seasoning
    • Variations
    • More Easy Rub Recipes
    • 📌 Pin it for later!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Best Tri-Tip Seasoning Blend

    My tri-tip rub blend is essentially a way of infusing meat with flavor before cooking it. My family loves using this rub on smoked beef, but you can also use it on a cut of beef before you grill, roast, or sear it!

    Tri-tip is an excellent cut of beef to feature as a main course entrée. It is budget friendly, large enough to feed a crowd, and when mixed with my tri-tip rub recipe, you know it will be tender, juicy, and flavorful every single time!

    Using just the right amount of aromatic garlic flavor, this tri-tip rub recipe really compliments the tenderness of the beef! It's simple, but effective. I guarantee you will love this easy rub recipe!

    Pair it with my tri-tip recipe: Smoked Tri-Tip

    close up of tri tip with tri tip seasoning

    Tri-Tip Rub FAQs

    What is in tri-tip rub seasoning?

    Though there are many variations for tri-tip rub, my recipe includes salt, pepper, thyme, and granulated garlic. This creates a perfect savory blend of seasonings that complements beef well.

    Is a dry rub the same as a marinade?

    Though dry rubs and marinades are both used to infuse protein with flavor, dry rubs tend to not have liquid (hence the name "dry" rub) while marinades often contain vinegar, oil, or acid (typically citrus juice), which is used to break down the tough fibers in meat. If working with a tender cut of meat, rubs help add flavor without breaking down the protein.

    How do I store a dry rub?

    You can pre-mix a dry rub and leave it in an airtight, sealed container for up to 6 months when left in a cool, dry area of your kitchen (typically a pantry or spice shelf).

    Is tri-tip rub gluten-free?

    My recipe for tri-tip rub is a naturally gluten and grain free rub. As always, be sure to check each ingredient for proper allergy and food handling instructions.

    Tri-Tip Rub Ingredients

    • Course Salt
    • Course Black Pepper
    • Granulated Garlic
    • Fresh Thyme
    ingredients for tri tip seasoning next to raw tri tip

    How to Make Tri-Tip Rub

    1. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and fresh thyme.
    2. Whisk ingredients until fully blended.
    3. Store until ready to use.
    seasoning tri tip with rub

    How to Apply Tri-Tip Rub

    Applying a dry rub is super simple, and it requires little effort!

    1. If using this rub for tri-tip steak, start by trimming excess fat from the steak.
    2. Sprinkle the rub on all sides of the steak, then use your hands to work the rub into the meat (if you want, you can place the steak in a plastic bag, cover with seasoning mix, then close the bag and shake or massage the rub into the meat).
    3. I like to cover the meat after the rub has been applied (or keep it right in the plastic bag I used to adhere the seasoning to the meat).
    4. Keep the seasoning tri-tip in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
    seasoned tri tip on a smoker

    Recipe Tips

    • I like to store my tri-tip rub in a mason jar, which I can leave right in my pantry for quick access when I need a seasoning blend!
    • When using dried herbs or spices, always check the expiration date. The fresher the herbs, the more intense the flavors will be.
    • Be sure to give your rub time to work into the meat, this is not a step you want to skip! Overnight is best, but even two hours in the fridge will make a difference.

    For best flavor, use fresh minced garlic as well as granulated garlic. Both add a depth of flavor to the seasoning blend. To use fresh garlic with the rub, simply mince fresh garlic and either apply it to the steak as it's cooking or reverse sear the steak in garlic butter.

    garlic butter ingredients in a cast iron skillet

    Other Uses for Rub Seasoning

    This is a versatile rub recipe, and though it pairs so well with tri-tip steak, there are many other cuts of beef I like to use my seasoning blend with. Here are a few:

    • Seasoning mix for hamburgers - especially Smoked Burgers
    • As a dry rub for ribeye steak
    • Prime rib roast
    • Seared boneless sirloin or picanha steak

    Variations

    This is a fantastic recipe to utilize as a dry rub. Dry rubs are the best way to flavor meat, especially beef! A great variation for this recipe is to turn it into a marinade, which can be used for steak, chicken, shrimp, lamb, and vegetables.

    All you need to do is mix the seasonings together in a small bowl or plastic bag, add ½ cup olive oil and the juice of half a lemon!

    tri tip on a plate with garlic and herbs

    More Easy Rub Recipes

    • Brisket Rub
    • Coffee Rub
    • Dry Rub for Ribs
    • Roast Beef Seasoning
    • Prime Rib Rub
    • Sweet and Spicy Rub
    • Meatball Seasoning
    • Try all of our BBQ Rub Recipes!

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    smoked tri tip with garlic and herbs and tri tip seasoning
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    4.41 from 5 votes

    Tri-Tip Rub Recipe

    Learn how to make an easy steak rub recipe for tri-tip using simple ingredients and coming together in under 5 minutes! This is a guaranteed method for tender, juicy, and flavorful steak every time.
    Prep Time3 minutes mins
    Cook Time2 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Seasoning
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: santa maria rub recipe, tri-tip rub, tri-tip rub for smoking, tri-tip rub recipe, tri-tip seasoning
    Servings: 1 and a half cups or so
    Calories: 10kcal
    Author: Isabel Laessig

    Equipment

    • 1 small bowl
    • 1 Cutting board
    • 1 kitchen knife
    • 1 Whisk

    Ingredients

    • ¼ Cup Fresh Thyme
    • 2 Tablespoons Coarse Salt
    • 2 Tablespoons Coarse Black Pepper
    • 2 Tablespoons Granulated Garlic

    See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine minced fresh garlic, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and fresh thyme.
    • Whisk ingredients until fully blended.
    • Store until ready to use.

    Notes

    • This is enough seasoning for a 5 pound tri-tip.
    • I like to store my tri-tip rub in a mason jar, which I can leave right in my pantry for quick access when I need a seasoning blend!
    • When using dried herbs or spices, always check the expiration date. The fresher the herbs, the more intense the flavors will be.
    • Be sure to give your rub time to work into the meat, this is not a step you want to skip!
    For best flavor, use fresh minced garlic as well as granulated garlic. Both add a depth of flavor to the seasoning blend. To use fresh garlic with the rub, simply mince fresh garlic and either apply it to the steak as it's cooking or reverse sear the steak in garlic butter.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1teaspoon | Calories: 10kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Sodium: 220mg | Sugar: 1g
    • Author
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    Isabel Laessig
    Isabel Laessig
    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
    » About Me
    Isabel Laessig
    Latest posts by Isabel Laessig (see all)
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    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
    » About Me

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    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie. Welcome to my beef-obsessed recipe website!

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