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This slow cooker tri tip roast is delicious, fall apart tender and is perfect on its own or made into sandwiches.
What is Tri Tip?
Tri Tip is a triangular shaped roast from the bottom sirloin cut of the cow. It is also known as a Triangle Roast, a Bottom Sirloin Tip, a Santa Maria or California Cut. It is a less expensive cut of meat with a lot of flavor and is tender. Cooking it in the slow cooker makes it even more tender.
Ingredients Needed:
- Tri Tip Roast. Use a 3 lb tri tip.
- Salt and Pepper
- Dried Herbs. Use a combination of thyme and rosemary but could also use Italian Seasoning.
- Garlic. Use minced garlic. Could also use garlic powder
- Beef Broth. You could also use chicken broth if needed.
- Worcestershire Sauce. Adds some nice depth of flavor.
How To Make Slow Cooker Tri Tip Roast
- Mix together the rub. The rub is a combination of salt, pepper, dried thyme, rosemary, and garilc.
- Rub the mixture over top of the roast.
- Place roast, rub side up in the slow cooker.
- Mix together beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and pour into the slow cooker, to the side of the roast. Don’t wash the rub off the roast.
- Put on the lid and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.
- Remove roast from slow cooker and shred or slice meat.
- Strain the juices and reserve for dipping if making a sandwich or for a gravy.
How to Make Tri Tip Sandwiches
- Prepare bun. Butter the inside of the bun and toast under the broiler or in a pan on the stove top.
- Place sliced/shredded meat onto the bun.
- Add a piece of Provolone cheese and place under the broiler to melt.
- Dip into reserved au jus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Prepare the tri tip as the recipe states then place in Instant Pot. Add in the liquid. Cook on manual high pressure for 25 minutes. Do a quick release.
Can I use a different cut of meat?
If you can’t find a tri tip roast you could use a sirloin roast instead. Get one with some fat on it for good flavor.
Should I sear the meat first?
This depends on how much time I have. If you have time go ahead and sear the meat in some hot olive oil in a skillet first. I don’t find that it makes a huge amount of difference in the final product and it saves me a dirty. pan.
Tips from Leigh Anne
- When cooking beef in the slow cooker I always try and cook it on low for the best results. If you just don’t have time and need to cook it on high, cook for 4-5 hours or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.Tip Number Two
- If you’d like to serve it with gravy instead of au jus add 2 Tbsp butter and 2 Tbsp of flour in a frying pan and stir together over medium heat to form a roux. Add in 1/2 cup of leftover liquid from slow cooker. Stir until combined and thickened. Add in remaining liquid and bring to a low boil, allow to thicken. Serve over meat.
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Slow Cooker Tri Tip Roast
Ingredients
- 3 lb. tri tip roast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- 6 buns
Instructions
- Combine the salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary and garlic. Rub it over the top of the tri tip.
- Place the meat into a 6 qt. slow cooker.
- Add the broth and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker around the sides of the meat. Do not pour directly over the top of the tri tip and wash off the seasoning.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the meat is tender, and pulls apart easily with a fork.
- Remove the meat from the slow cooker and shred or cut into pieces.
- Strain the remaining liquid and use it as an au jus if making sandwiches.
For Sandwiches.
- Butter and toast buns.
- Place meat on top of bottom bun, cover with a slice of cheese and place under broiler to melt cheese.
- Serve with au jus.
Tips & Notes:
- When cooking beef in the slow cooker I always try and cook it on low for the best results. If you just don’t have time and need to cook it on high, cook for 4-5 hours or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
- T0 make in the Instant Pot: Prepare the tri tip as the recipe states then place in Instant Pot. Add in the liquid. Cook on manual high pressure for 25 minutes. Do a quick release.
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Molly says
So so good. I make this often, year round. Perfect French dip. My kids all love it. Thank you for this!
Lady Graham says
Absolutely the best way to cook a Tri Tip !!! This is my new go to recipe! It’s so simple, seriously you put the Tri Tip in the crock pot and some beef broth and put the lid on it for the next 6 hours!! Easy Peasy!!
Charlie Hawkins says
Great recipe ! I suggest you also add a cup (or less) bbq sauce, 1 oz liquid smoke seasoning, 2 oz (or less) of Jack Daniels and some sliced onion and a little parsley.
Mike says
I have fresh thyme and rosemary in the garden. Can I use this instead of dried?
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
Yes, just use twice as much.
Chris S. says
This recipe was excellent! The flavor from the rub made the gravy and au jus delicious . I had roast with mashed potatoes and gravy and the rest I shredded for sandwiches.