Tri Tip Prime

[Tyrus]

  Following up on a comment Paul had posted with regards to Tri Tip meat quality got me to thinking I should see if I could find a Prime piece of Tri at a relatively good price, a challenge so to speak.. By chance a market in the area was having Prime on sale for $9.99, an exceptional price for the quality. Generally I purchase Choice across town at another market at $8.99/lb and have always been satisified knowing this was the only quality offered.. Having not seen the difference beforehand I didn't know what to expect. Choice pieces I generally buy have some degree of marbling but the Prime I purchased today displayed a more consistent marbling throughout. I also noticed the pieces were relatively of a consistent thickness, if that has anything to factor in with grading or is just coincidental. I purchased the pieces whole, then trimmed...they're generaly cut into smaller pieces and packed for sale for the general public, so if you ask they will sell whole. Up to now I've no complaints with Choice for grilling, I have to admit these do look really good. Moral of the story, you get what you pay for, but the sale incentive makes it sweeter.

[JDBBQ]

Looks great.  I don't see tri tip here in Western PA, but may not be looking in the right places.

[C6Bill]

Those look great !!!!

[Tyrus]

On 10/25/2024 at 3:11 PM, JDBBQ said:

I don't see tri tip here in Western PA, but may not be looking in the right places.

Any butcher shop is a good start or like I said, ring the bell at the grocer and ask away. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. I don't know how far you are west in Pa, but The bearded Butchers of a You Tube renowned meat cutting channel is just on the other side of Akron in Creston, however if you think of it as a challenge the problem becomes a game.

Edited October 27 by Tyrus

[jdbower]

And now I want burnt ends...

[Tyrus]

One came off the grill having rubbed it up with Watkins Mesquite rub and a slight char for optics. To tell you the truth after having choice many more times than Prime I find no greater difference other than the prime was much moister. Taste was on par but not significantly so that it was measurably better than choice, it could have been just this particlar piece but I've had so many other choice pieces that were very good that I see no reason to abandon the standard. I didn't prepare it or cook it any differently, however I noticed as you might in a prime brisket is that the meat can be more forgiving because it holds moisture better. You can achieve the same results with choice, you just have a shorter window. So I find it juicier but not any tastier, and with this in mind at least for this grade of meat as a Tri tip I'll have no worries holding pat with choice.

[DennisLinkletter]

I've been saying for years that Tri-Tip is the tastiest meat on the cow.
I'm spoiled because there is a reasonable Indonesian Wagyu supplier.
I prefer 5-7 marbling wagyu.. It's to die for.
I use coffee smoke during the first part of the reverse sear, take it to 130 and let it dissipate it's heat before blasting it for color and crust. Sometimes I put it in the refrigerator overnight, then grill it cold so I can get a great crust without overcooking it or getting a well-done outside layer.  After I get the color and crust I want I warm it slowly indirect to eating temp..

[Tyrus]

I follow the same method, charring first and let ride to temp, easy peasy. The frig trick/ smart idea, however I shoot for side to side pink color so I'm always riding on the side of caution, a little burn is fine for me.

21 hours ago, DennisLinkletter said:

refrigerator overnight, then grill it cold so I can get a great crust without overcooking it or getting a well-done outside layer

Somewhere buried out in the hills north of San Fran there's a road side tri tip sandwich place I've seen on You tube some time ago, It's on my bucket list if ever get out there again. Maybe someone here knows the place and been, like to know their experience

Edited November 6 by Tyrus