Trader Joe’s Santa Maria Tri-Tip Roast Air Fryer

Trader Joe’s Santa Maria Tri-Tip Roast Air Fryer is amazing! If you have been looking for the best way to make this delicious dinner, the air fryer is perfect!

Trader Joe’s Santa Maria Tri-Tip Roast Air Fryer is amazing! So much better and easier than cooking an oven-style roast!

What Is A Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip?

Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip is a specific way of preparing and cooking tri-tip, a triangular shape cut of beef from the bottom sirloin. It is named after the town of Santa Maria in California, where it originated, and is still a popular local dish.

The preparation of Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip typically involves marinating the meat in a mixture of garlic, salt, pepper, and other seasonings for several hours or overnight to enhance its flavor. The tri-tip is then grilled over an open flame using red oak wood, which adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the meat. It is usually cooked to medium-rare or medium doneness and then sliced thinly against the grain for serving.

Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip is often served with simple side dishes like grilled vegetables, beans, and garlic bread. It is a popular dish for backyard barbecues and is considered a staple of California cuisine.

Why Cook Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip In Air Fryer

Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip is traditionally cooked over an open flame on a grill, but cooking it in an air fryer can be a convenient and efficient alternative. Air fryers use hot air to circulate and cook the food, which can help to evenly cook the tri-tip and give it a crispy exterior without the need for an open flame or grill.

Cooking the roast at high temperature really gives a great flavor to the roast, and the meat cooks up amazingly!

Using an air fryer can also be a healthier alternative to traditional grilling methods, such as charcoal grill, as it can reduce the amount of oil and fat needed to cook the meat. It can also be more convenient, as air fryers are easy to use and require less time and attention than grilling.

Ingredients Needed For Trader Joe’s Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip

If you’re a fan of savory grilling, then Trader Joe’s Santa Maria Style Tri Tip is sure to be a hit. With its signature smoky-sweet flavor and tender texture, it has become one of the most popular meats for grilling, and air frying.

Remember the step-by-step directions are below in the printable recipe card, at the bottom of the page, as well as the nutrition information.

• Trader Joe’s Tri-Tip Roast: Already Seasoned
• Olive Oil: You can also use avocado oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or any high-heat oil.
• Spice Rub: Minced Garlic, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Rosemary, Dried Thyme, Smoked Paprika, and Cayenne Pepper

How To Cook Trader Joe’s Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip In Air Fryer

Step One: Season Your Tri-Tip

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F, for 3-5 minutes. Remove the roast from the plastic bag. Place the roast on a cutting board. In a small bowl, add the spice rub ingredients. Rub the olive oil, over the tri-tip, and then rub the seasonings on the roast.

Step Two: Air Fry Your Trader Joe’s Roast

Place the tri-tip in the air fryer basket, making sure it’s not touching the sides, depending on the size of the air fryer, you may need to cut the roast into small pieces.

Cook the tri-tip in the air fryer at 400 degrees F, for a cook time of 20-25 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, flipping it halfway through the cooking time.

Check the internal temperature of the tri-tip with a meat thermometer. The temperature should read between 130-135°F for medium-rare or 140-145°F for medium doneness.

Step Three: Serving

Once the tri-tip is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips For Cooking Santa Maria Tri-Tip In Air Fryer

Here are some pro tips to help you get the best results when cooking Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip in an air fryer:

1. Marinate the meat overnight: For the best flavor and tenderness, marinate the tri-tip for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
2. Let the meat come to room temperature: Take the tri-tip out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This helps to ensure even cooking.
3. Use a meat thermometer: The internal temperature of the tri-tip is the most accurate way to determine doneness. Cook the tri-tip to an internal temperature of 130-135°F for medium-rare, or 140-145°F for medium doneness.
4. Rest the meat before slicing: Let the tri-tip rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing it. This allows the juices to redistribute and helps to keep the meat tender and flavorful.
5. Slice against the grain: Slice the tri-tip against the grain, which means slicing perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fibers. This helps to ensure that the meat is tender and easy to chew.
6. Add more seasonings if desired: If you want to add more flavor to the tri-tip, you can mix up some extra seasonings to sprinkle on the meat before cooking. Just be careful not to add too much salt, as the marinade already contains salt.
7. Use a meat rub instead of a marinade: If you prefer, you can use a dry meat rub instead of a marinade to season the tri-tip. Just rub the seasoning blend onto the meat and let it sit for a few hours before cooking.

These are just a few tips to help you get the best results when cooking Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip in an air fryer. Experiment with different seasonings and cooking times to find your perfect recipe!f

What To Serve With Santa Maria Roast

Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip is a flavorful and versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides. Here are some delicious options to serve with your Santa Maria roast:

• Air Fryer Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions make a tasty and colorful side dish for Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip.
• Air Fryer Garlic bread: Warm, toasty garlic bread is the perfect complement to the savory flavors of the tri-tip roast.
• Air Fyrer Steakhouse Baked Potatoes: Baked potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs well with any type of meat. Top them with butter, sour cream, and chives for a delicious and comforting side.
• Salad: A fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette dressing can help to balance out the richness of the meat.
• Air Fryer Frozen Corn on The Cob: Grilled or roasted corn on the cob makes a delicious and summery side dish that pairs well with the smoky flavors of the tri-tip roast.
• Rice or quinoa: A side of rice or quinoa can help to soak up the juices from the meat and add a healthy dose of whole grains to your meal.
• Salsa or pico de gallo: A fresh tomato salsa or pico de gallo can add a zesty and refreshing flavor to your meal.

These are just a few ideas for sides to serve with your Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip. Feel free to get creative and customize your meal to your personal taste preferences!

How To Cut Tri-Tip Roast

Tri-tip roast is a triangular cut of beef from the bottom sirloin that is typically cooked using high-heat methods like grilling or roasting. Here’s how to properly cut a tri-tip roast:

1. Let the meat rest: Once the tri-tip roast is finished cooking, let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure that the meat is tender.
2. Locate the grain: Look for the direction of the grain, which refers to the lines of muscle fibers in the meat. You’ll want to cut across the grain to ensure tender slices of meat.
3. Slice against the grain: Use a sharp knife to slice the tri-tip roast against the grain, which means slicing perpendicular to the lines of muscle fibers. This will help to ensure that the meat is tender and easy to chew.
4. Cut into thin slices: Aim to cut the tri-tip roast into thin slices, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. This will help to ensure that the meat is easy to eat and that each slice has a good balance of meat and fat.
5. Trim any excess fat: If there is any excess fat on the meat, you can trim it off before slicing. This will help to make the meat easier to eat and can also help to reduce the overall fat content of the dish.

By following these simple steps, you can easily cut a tri-tip roast into tender and delicious slices that are perfect for serving alongside your favorite sides.

How To Cook Trader Joe’s Santa Maria Roast In Cast Iron Skillet

While I love cooking my Santa Maria Steak in the air fryer, and find it the best cooking method, you can also cook in a cast iron skillet.

1. Place the roast in the cast iron skillet and sear, at medium-high heat, on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned.
2. Transfer the skillet with the roast to the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 130-135°F for medium-rare or 140-145°F for medium doneness. Use a digital thermometer, to check on the roast, as it cooks up.
3. Once the roast is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your Santa Maria Roast and your oven. It’s important to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Letting the meat rest before slicing allows the juices to redistribute and helps to keep the meat tender and flavorful. Serve the sliced roast with your favorite sides and enjoy!

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Perfect Air Fryer Steak
• Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
• Trader Joe’s Foods For Air Fryer
• Trader Joe’s Carne Asada