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Are you ready to learn how to cut a tri tip like a pro? As a food blogger and meat enthusiast, I’ve got you covered. Tri tip is a tasty cut of beef that can be a little tricky to prepare if you’re not familiar with the right techniques. In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to cut your tri tip so that it’s tender and succulent every time. So grab your cutting board and knife, and let’s get started!
Do you still need to cook your tri tip and need some inspiration? Indulge in the smoky goodness of this perfectly cooked Smoked Tri Tip recipe.
Step 1: Get Your Tri Tip Ready
First things first, you need to prepare your tri tip for cutting. Once the tri tip is done being rested after cooking, place the tri tip on a cutting board. If you left the fat cap on for cooking, you can choose to trim the fat off or leave it on for serving. that is more than 1/4 inch thick, or leave it on for added flavor and moisture when serving.
Step 2: Find the Grain
The next step is to locate the grain of the meat. Understanding the direction of the grain on a tri tip is crucial for ensuring that the meat turns out tender and juicy. The grain refers to the muscle fibers running through the meat, and it’s important to cut against the grain to prevent the meat from becoming tough and chewy. On a tri tip, you may notice that the grain runs in different directions, which can make it challenging to determine the correct cutting direction. To find the grain, look for the lines of muscle fibers running through the tri tip and make note of the direction they are going.
Step 3: Cut the Tri Tip in Two
Once you’ve identified the direction of the grain, find the intersection at which the grain direction changes. Using a shape knife, cut along this interaction, leaving the tri tip in two pieces. Remember a sharp knife is key to getting nice clean cuts! You want to be cutting the meat, not tearing it.
Step 4: Cut Against the Grain
Using a sharp knife, cut each piece against the grain into slices that are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. If you cut with the grain, the meat will be tough and chewy. Cutting against the grain will give you tender and juicy slices of meat.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Once you’ve sliced your tri tip, it’s time to serve it up and enjoy! You can serve it as is, or use it in a variety of dishes like sandwiches, tacos, salads or even steak and eggs for breakfast.
That’s it, folks! Cutting a tri tip doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have tender and juicy slices of meat that will make your taste buds dance. Happy cooking!
