Chili Crusted Tri Tip delivers bold beef flavor wrapped in a bright, chili-spiced crust. A hint of smoke from the grill pellets complements the meat perfectly. We served ours with grilled steak fries and coleslaw for a relaxed summer steak dinner.
Patti and I reserve one night a week as our date night. Usually we fire up the Green Mountain wood pellet grill, but sometimes we cook inside. We always dine on the patio, which has a comfortable rainforest theme—patio heater, soft lights, candles, lanterns and music. We enjoy a glass of wine or a strawberry margarita, good food, music and, occasionally, a dance.
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10 Easy Tri Tip Recipes Anyone Can Do On A Wood Pellet Grill
Chili Crusted Tri Tip
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: about 15 minutes per side at 400°F (205°C)
Grill: Green Mountain Wood Pellet Grill/Smoker
Pellets: Gold Blend BBQ Pellets
Ingredients: Chili Crusted Tri Tip
- 1 (about 3 lb) tri tip roast
- 2 tablespoons chipotle chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
Chili Crusted Tri Tip
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe
Chili Crusted Tri Tip
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe
Cooking Directions: Chili Crusted Tri Tip
1. In a small bowl, combine the chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin and black pepper. Mix well.
2. Pat the tri tip dry and press the seasoning mixture firmly over all sides to form a thick crust.
3. Preheat the grill to 400°F (205°C). Place the tri tip directly on hot grill grates. Grill for about 15 minutes per side, rotating a quarter turn after 7–8 minutes to create attractive sear marks.
4. Remove the meat when the internal temperature reaches around 120°F (49°C) for medium-rare. Cover and let rest for 5–10 minutes; carryover heat will raise the temperature another 5–10 degrees. The USDA minimum safe temperature for beef steaks and roasts is typically cited as 125°F (53°C) for medium-rare to medium. Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness.
Note: A recipe is an outline—feel free to adjust seasoning and pellet blends to suit your taste. When grilling above 250°F (122°C) you are mainly cooking rather than smoking, so the type of pellet affects smoke flavor less at higher temperatures.
Chili Crusted Tri Tip
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe
About Our Recipes
We prepare recipes on our patio with a lineup of grills and smokers. Our approach is focused on flavorful, lower-fat grilling that works across pellet, gas, wood and charcoal setups. Most of our recipes are adaptable to different grills—what matters most is time and temperature.
While some recipes require precision, many are flexible. Don’t hesitate to tweak ingredients and techniques to match your tastes. Cooking outdoors adds flavor, but when weather gets in the way you can often adapt a recipe for the oven or slow cooker.
Live your passion and do what you love,
Ken & Patti
