This recipe is 5-recipes in one. There will be an ingredient and recipe section for:
- Pickled Onions
- Marinade
- Cream Cheese Spread
- Tomato Jam
The last section will be how to put it all together. Enjoy!
Pickled Onions Ingredients + Recipe (to be made 24 hours prior):
- 1 Large Red Onion (sliced thin)
- 2 Cups Water (boiled)
- 1 Cup Water for Top-up
- 2 Tbsps. Crushed Garlic
- ¼ Tsp. Chili Flake
- 2 Bay Leaves
- ¼ Tsp. Coriander
- ¼ Tsp. All Spice
- ¾ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ Cup White Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. White Sugar
Directions:
STEP 1: Start with placing the sliced Red Onions in a heat-proof bowl, then pour the 2 cups of boiling water over the onions.
STEP 2: Let the mixture sit for one minute then strain the water out and discard the water.
STEP 3: Place the onions in a mason jar, along with the Garlic, Chili Flakes, Bay Leaves, Cumin, Coriander, and All Spice.
STEP 4: Combine the Apple Cider Vinegar and White Sugar, then whisk to the mixture until it dissolves.
STEP 5: Pour the new mixture over the Red Onions in the mason jar, then add the White Vinegar and the 1 Cup of Water.
STEP 6: Place the lid tightly on the jar and give it a shake to mix up all the ingredients once more.
STEP 7: Store in the refrigerator and let it sit for at least 24 hours before eating. Trust us, it'll be worth the wait.
Marinade Ingredients + Recipe:
- ⅓ Cup Soy Sauce
- ⅓ Cup White Sugar
- ⅓ Cup Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ Cup Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsps. Minced Garlic
- ½ Cup Lemon Juice
- Zest from one Lemon
- 3 Tbsps. fresh Parsley Chopped OR 1 Tbsp. Dried Parsley
- ½ Cup Basil chopped OR 2 Tbsps. Dried Basil
- 1 Tbsp. Cattleman’s Tri-Tip Seasoning
- 2 lbs. Tri-Tip
Directions:
STEP 1: Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl or measuring cup.
STEP 2: Trim excess fat and silver skin from the surface of the Tri-Tip.
STEP 3: Place the Tri-Tip in a zip-lock bag and pour the marinade over it.
STEP 4: Let the marinated meat sit in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours (overnight would be best - the longer the better)
Cream Cheese Spread Ingredients:
- 4 oz. Cream Cheese (room temperature)
- ¼ Cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
- ¼ Cup Fresh Cilantro (minced)
- 2 Tbsps. Mexican Green Chile Sauce / Salsa Verde
- Homemade recipe are in the directions below
- 1 ½ Tbsps. Horseradish
Directions:
STEP 1: Combine all ingredients and mix well until you have a salsa-like consistency.
Green Chile Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 Long Anaheim Peppers (jalapeno will work as well)
- 3 Green Onion
- 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Tsp. Lime Juice
- 1/4 cup fresh Cilantro
- 1 Garlic Clove
- 1/4 Cup Sour Cream
- Zest from a Lime
- Pinch of Sea Salt
Tomato Jam Ingredients + Recipe:
- 2 Large Limes
- 2 lb. Tomatoes (cored and chopped into large pieces)
- 1 Large Jalapeño (minced)
- 2 Cups Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Fresh Ginger (peeled and minced)
- 1 Tbsp. Garlic (minced)
- ½ Tbsp. Ground Cumin
- 1 Small Cinnamon Stick
- Kosher Salt (to your taste)
Tomato Jam Directions:
STEP 1: Quarter the Tomatoes and take out the seeds and core (not the flesh). Then dice it into smaller pieces.
STEP 2: Add the Tomatoes, finely diced Jalapeño, Brown Sugar, minced Ginger, Garlic, Ground Cumin, Cinnamon Stick, and 1 tsp. of Salt.
STEP 3: Using a Microplane, remove the Zest from the Limes and add it into the mix, then squeeze the Lime Juice into the mix as well.
If you're wondering what a Microplane is, check out number 5 on this list of 11 Most Important Chef Tools
STEP 4: Cook over medium heat until the Tomatoes have darkened in color and a syrupy mixture has formed. Stir occasionally as this will take about 45 to 60 minutes.
If the mixture begins to burn, remove from the heat and mix in a splash of water. Then put it back on the burner at a slightly reduced heat.
STEP 5: When the jam is cooked, let cool and discard the Cinnamon Stick. Now give it taste and adjust the salt level if it's necessary.
Tri-Tip Cooking Ingredients + Recipe:
- Everything made above
- 4 Vienna-Style Buns
STEP 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F, we're using the Yoder Smoker YS640s Competition Cart.
STEP 2: Remove Tri-Tip from marinade and place it on the top rack of your smoker.
STEP 3: Smoke the Tri-Tip until it reaches an internal temperature of 119°F, which will take about 2 hours.
STEP 4: Next, you want to get your your other grill ready for searing. You can use a gas or charcoal grill, or we will be using the Yoder Flat Top 24" x 48" Charcoal Grill to sear it and finish cooking it until the internal temperature reaches 135°F in the thickest part of the Tri-Tip.
STEP 5: Once you reach the temperature, remove that delicious slab of meat from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes under a cover before you start to cut it.
STEP 6: When it's ready, thinly slice the Tri-Tip across the grain of the meat.
STEP 7: Toast buns over your charcoal or gas grill until it's crusted over but not burnt.
STEP 8: Next, build your sandwiches by spreading your cream cheese mixture across the bottom of the bun. Then, place the sliced Tri-Tip atop the bun, then the pickled onions too.
STEP 9: Lastly, spread the top half of the bun with the Tomato Jam, then complete the sandwich by placing the top bun on the rest. And there you have it, the most delicious sandwich you and your family will ever eat.
Like Steak? Try These Steak Recipes & Tips
- Recipes:
- Tri-Tip Steak Done 3 Ways: Traditional BBQ, Coffee Rub, and Molasses and Chili Recipes
- Steak Frites Recipe
- Steak Sandwich Recipe
- Guinness Marinated Steak
- Tips:
Recipe written by barbecue pit master, Andrew Plaza. Follow him on Instagram for more barbecue goodness by clicking here.
