What temperature should I cook my tri tip to?

For medium-rare (my personal favorite), aim for 130-135°F internal temperature. Medium is 135-145°F, and medium-well is 145-155°F. Remember, the temperature will continue to rise a few degrees as it rests.

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Absolutely! This spice rub works beautifully on sirloin, flank steak, or even ribeye. Just adjust your cooking time based on thickness - thinner cuts will cook faster.

My air fryer is smaller - will this still work?

If your tri tip doesn't fit comfortably, you can cut it in half and cook in batches. The timing stays the same, just make sure each piece has good air circulation around it.

How do I know when it's done without a thermometer?

While I always recommend using a thermometer, you can test doneness by pressing the center of the steak. It should feel firm but still have some give for medium-rare.

Air Fryer Tri Tip: Perfectly Cooked Tri-Tip Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Tri Tip Steak
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tri tip steak (about 4 lbs); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon paprika; 1 tablespoon aleppo pepper (less if you don’t want it too spicy); 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 cup chimichurri sauce (to garnish, optional)

Description

This Air Fryer Tri Tip is a quick and flavorful way to enjoy a juicy, tender steak with a smoky spice rub. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special meal, with optional chimichurri sauce for extra zest!

Ingredients

Scale

1 tri tip steak (about 4 lbs)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon aleppo pepper (less if you don’t want it too spicy)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chimichurri sauce (to garnish, optional)

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Instructions

Remove steak from refrigerator and let come to room temperature.
In a small bowl, mix together herbs, spices, and seasonings.
Pat steak dry with paper towels.
Rub olive oil into steak.
Add spice rub to steak.
Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5-10 minutes.
Add steak to air fryer basket, set to maximum heat, and fry 8 minutes.
Flip tri tip and cook again 8 minutes.
Check the tri tip temperature – if you are within 10-15 degrees of your target, close the lid and let the tri tip continue cooking in the air fryer (it will stay very hot after air frying, don’t let all the heat escape when measuring temp.)
If tri tip is more than 20 degrees from your target temperature, cook additional 5-10 minutes.

Notes

For best results, let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking before slicing against the grain. Serve with chimichurri sauce or your favorite side dishes.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4
Calories: 145 kcal
Sugar: 0.2 g
Sodium: 606 mg
Fat: 11 g
Carbohydrates: 3 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 9 g