Want a perfectly cooked, juicy tri tip without firing up the grill? This air fryer tri tip recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 21 minutes from start to finish. With only 5 minutes of prep and minimal cleanup required, you’ll get a protein-packed main dish (35g per serving) that’s both tender and flavorful. The air fryer creates a beautiful crust while keeping the inside succulent – and at just 345 calories per serving, it fits perfectly into a balanced meal plan.
Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Tri Tip
- Tri Tip Steak: 1½ pounds, brought to room temperature for even cooking
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons, helps seasonings stick and ensures a nice crust
- Granulated Garlic: ½ teaspoon, adds savory depth
- Dried Herbs: ½ teaspoon, enhances aromatic profile
- Salt: ½ teaspoon, brings out natural flavors
- Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon, adds perfect seasoning balance
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Pat the beef dry thoroughly
- Season: Brush meat with olive oil, then combine and apply seasonings evenly on all sides
- First Cook: Place tri tip in air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes on first side
- Flip: Turn the meat and cook additional 8 minutes for medium-rare
- Rest: Wrap in foil and let rest 10 minutes (internal temp should reach 130°F for medium-rare)
- Temperature Guide: For medium, cook 1-2 minutes longer per side (140°F); for medium-well (150°F)
- Serve: Slice against the grain and serve while warm
Cooking Tips for Perfect Tri Tip
Let your tri tip come to room temperature before cooking – this helps it cook more evenly. Pat the meat totally dry with paper towels before adding oil and seasonings. For the best crust, make sure your air fryer is fully preheated. The resting time is super important – it keeps all those tasty juices inside the meat instead of running out when you slice it.
Temperature Guide
Here’s a simple guide for getting your tri tip just how you like it:
- Rare: 120-125°F (very pink center)
- Medium-rare: 130-135°F (warm pink center)
- Medium: 140-145°F (slightly pink center)
- Medium-well: 150-155°F (just a hint of pink) Remember that the temperature will rise about 5°F while resting!
Serving Ideas
Slice your tri tip against the grain into thin strips – this makes it extra tender. It’s amazing served with roasted potatoes or a fresh salad. Want to make sandwiches? Layer those juicy slices on crusty bread with some horseradish sauce. For a fun twist, try it with chimichurri sauce or garlic butter on top.
Storage and Leftovers
Keep leftover tri tip in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. For the tastiest leftovers, slice only what you’ll eat right away. When reheating, warm it gently to avoid overcooking – try 30-second bursts in the microwave. The cold slices are also great on salads!
Air Fryer Tri Tip Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs tri tip steak at room temperature
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried herbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°.
- Clean and dry the beef. Brush the meat all over with olive oil.
- Mix salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and herbs. Sprinkle the seasonings on all sides of the beef.
- Transfer the trip tip to the air fryer basket. Bake for 8 minutes on one side.
- Flip the beef to the other side and fry for another 8 minutes.
- Transfer the beef to a piece of foil and wrap it. Let the roast rest for 10 minutes.
- Unwrap the tri tip and cut into slices to serve.
