Tri-Tip Marinade with Lime, Soy, and Italian Seasoning Recipe
This flavorful tri-tip marinade combines a balanced blend of citrus, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and aromatic seasonings to tenderize and infuse your tri-tip steak with a savory, slightly sweet, and zesty profile. Perfect for grilling, baking, or stovetop cooking, this marinade elevates your tri-tip to delicious new heights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-25 minutes (depending on cooking method and desired doneness)
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes to 25 hours 35 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Marinating and Grilling (or Baking/Stovetop cooking as alternatives; primary method inferred as Grilling due to common practice with tri-tip steak)
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (or lemon or orange juice)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
Main Ingredient
- 2–3 pounds tri-tip steak
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cracked black pepper, and Kosher salt until well combined.
- Marinate the Tri-Tip: Place the tri-tip steak into a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over the meat. Seal the bag tightly, ensuring the marinade coats the steak evenly. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Cook the Tri-Tip: Remove the tri-tip from the marinade and cook using your preferred method—grilling, baking, or stovetop pan-searing. Cook to your desired doneness, ideally aiming for medium-rare to medium for optimal juiciness and flavor. Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature if desired.
- Rest the Meat: Once cooked, let the tri-tip rest on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring a tender and juicy bite.
- Slice Against the Grain: Carefully slice the tri-tip against the grain to maximize tenderness. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful, perfectly cooked steak.
Notes
- Marinating for at least 1 hour is essential, but up to 24 hours will greatly enhance the flavor and tenderness.
- Substitute lime juice with lemon or orange juice based on preference.
- For gluten-free options, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Tri-tip steak is best cooked to medium-rare or medium for optimal texture.
- Always slice against the grain to ensure the meat is tender.
- Adjust cooking method and times based on your equipment and steak thickness.
Keywords: tri-tip marinade, tri-tip steak, steak marinade recipe, grilled tri-tip, easy steak marinade, savory steak marinade
