How to Cook Juicy Pork Tri Tip Roast in the Oven

Pork tri tip roast is an underrated cut of meat that deserves more attention. Shaped like a small football, it comes from the bottom sirloin and is incredibly flavorful and tender when cooked properly. The marbling in pork tri tip keeps it nice and moist, making it perfect for roasting in the oven. With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious, succulent roast pork ready to serve a crowd. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know to cook pork tri tip roast to perfection in your oven.

Benefits of Cooking Pork Tri Tip in the Oven

There are several advantages to cooking pork tri tip in the oven rather than on the grill or stovetop

Even cooking: The indirect heat of the oven surrounds the meat evenly from all sides, ensuring it cooks through without any cold or underdone spots. This prevents serving raw pork, which can cause foodborne illness.
Self basting: As the tri tip cooks, the juices bubble up to the surface then roll over and coat the meat. This automatic basting keeps the pork incredibly moist and tender.
Fuss-free Once seasoned and placed in the oven you can largely walk away while the tri tip roast cooks. No need to constantly flip move, or brush it like when cooking on the stovetop or grill.
Adds flavor: The hot, dry air of the oven concentrates flavors as the pork cooks, intensifying seasoning and any marinades used.
Easy temperature control: Oven roasting lets you precisely control the internal temperature so the pork cooks perfectly. No guessing if it’s done!
Feeds a crowd: A 2-3 lb pork tri tip feeds 6-10 people, making it budget-friendly for large gatherings.

Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Pork Tri Tip Roast

Follow these simple steps for foolproof oven roasted pork tri tip every time:

1. Choose the Right Cut

Pork tri tip roast is triangular in shape and 2-3 lbs. Other names include triangle roast or pork sirloin tip roast.
Choose roasts with good marbling for moisture and flavor. Look for solid white fat streaked throughout the lean, pink meat.
Avoid roasts with thick, hard fat caps. Trim them to 1⁄4 inch thick so the meat cooks evenly.

2. Prep the Pork Tri Tip

Rinse the pork under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Trim off any silver skin or large hunks of hard fat with a sharp knife.
Score the fat cap by cutting 1⁄4 inch deep slits in a diamond pattern. This helps the fat render and the seasoning penetrate.

3. Season the Pork Generously

Coat all sides of the pork liberally with seasoning. Get into all the nooks and crannies.
For amazing flavor, use a spice rub of salt, pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder.
Let the seasoned meat come to room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting.

4. Sear the Pork Tri Tip

Heat oil in an ovenproof pan/skillet over medium-high heat.
When oil shimmers, sear pork fat-side down until well browned, about 5 minutes.
Sear all other sides until nicely crusted, about 2 minutes per side.

5. Roast in the Oven

Place pan in preheated 350°F oven. Roast 25-30 minutes per pound.
For ideal doneness, cook to internal temp of 145°F. Use a meat thermometer.
Baste periodically with pan drippings to keep the outside from drying out.

6. Rest and Carve the Pork

Remove pork from oven and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
This allows juices to redistribute for a tender, juicy roast.
Carve across the grain into thin slices. Serve warm.

Choosing the Right Roasting Pan

Having the proper roasting pan is key to delicious oven roasted pork tri tip:

Large enough: Choose a roasting pan at least 2 inches larger all around than the pork roast. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.
Heavy duty: Opt for sturdy stainless steel or enameled cast iron to allow high oven temps for an excellent sear.
Ovenproof: The pan needs oven-safe handles to go straight from stovetop searing to oven roasting.
Rack included: A wire rack elevates the pork above the pan drippings as it cooks, preventing it from steaming.

Tricks for Maximizing Juiciness

Follow these tips for outrageously tender and succulent roasted pork tri tip:

Don’t overcook: Pork dries out quickly when cooked past 145°F. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overbaking.
Let it rest: Allowing the meat to rest after cooking lets juices redistribute instead of spilling out when sliced.
Baste with drippings: Spoon hot drippings from the pan over the pork while it roasts to keep the surface moist.
Brine if lean: Soaking lean roasts in a saltwater brine solution before cooking boosts moisture retention.
Inject if very lean: Injecting a flavorful liquid like apple juice and spices deep into very lean roasts provides extra moisture.
Sear thoroughly: Taking time to brown all sides of the pork creates a flavorful crust that seals in juices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these errors for the best oven roasted pork tri tip:

Skipping the sear – Browning develops tons of flavor. Don’t put raw pork straight into the oven.
Roasting at too low temp – High heat is needed to brown the meat and render the fat properly.
Overcrowding pan – Pork needs space for air circulation to roast evenly. Don’t pack it in.
Opening oven door – This drops oven temp and requires longer cooking. Resist peeking!
Not using meat thermometer – It’s the only way to confirm safe internal temp and prevent overcooking.
Cutting before resting – Letting the pork rest allows juices to reabsorb for a moist, tender texture.

Serving Suggestions

Pork tri tip roast makes a stellar entrée for gatherings. Serve with:

Mashed Potatoes – Classic creamy spuds are perfect for soaking up meat juices.
Roasted Vegetables – Carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts taste amazing roasted alongside the pork.
Rice Pilaf – Fluffy pilaf with herbs and spices complements the flavors.
Sauce – Whip up a pan sauce from the delicious pan drippings.
Salad – A fresh green salad balances the richness of the pork.
Rolls – Soft rolls are ideal vessels for juicy sliced pork tri tip.

Oven roasted pork tri tip is easy to master with this detailed guide. In just over an hour, you can have a gorgeous, mouthwatering roast ready to wow family and friends. Just be sure to let the pork rest after cooking – no one wants dry meat! Follow these tips for incredibly moist, tender pork tri tip worthy of any special occasion.

Pork Tri Tip?

FAQ

How do you cook tri-tip so it’s tender?

Sear roast for 3-4 mins on each side, only turning once. After both sides are quickly seared, you’ll transfer that pan right into the oven. Cook for about 10mins per pound, until it comes to temperature (see temp guide below). Tri tip is best, and most tender, when cooked to medium rare or less.

Should you cover a tri tip in the oven?

Set the tied tri-tip roast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Place in the oven and roast, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until an insta-read thermometer registers about 125 (rare) to 135 (medium) degrees F, or according to taste. Remove from the oven and loosely cover with foil.

How long does a tri-tip take at 350?

If you’re using a meat thermometer, place it inside of the tri-tip. Then, preheat the oven to 350 F and cook the tri tip until it reaches an internal temperature of 135 F. This should take approximately 15-17 minutes.

What is the best temperature to cook tri-tip?

The ideal cooking temperature for a tri-tip cut is 200-250 °F or 93-121 °C (for indirect heat). This will enable you to cook the meat slowly over low temperature. It ensures an even cook helps avoid overcooking the outside of the meat.

How long do you cook a tri tip?

Rub tri-tip with your favorite seasoning salt and black pepper. Heat oil in an oven-safe pan and sear the tri-tip, fat-side down. Flip tri-tip and pop it in the oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes per pound. Allow roast to rest for 10 minutes, and done! For this recipe, I cooked the tri tip to an internal temperature of 128 degrees.

How long do you cook a tri-tip roast in the oven?

(Scroll all the way down for the full recipe.) Rub tri-tip with your favorite seasoning salt. Heat oil in an oven-safe pan and sear the tri-tip, fat-side down. Flip tri-tip and pop it in the oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes per pound. Allow roast to rest for 10 minutes, and done!

How do you cook a tri-tip in the oven?

Toss tri-tip with oil, soy sauce, onion, cumin, garlic, and pepper. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or up to 24 hours. Let rest at room temperature while preheating the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place tri-tip in a shallow roasting pan, preferably on a rack.

How do you cook a tri-tip rib roast?

Next, add a couple tablespoons of cooking oil to a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron is perfect here) and place in on your stove over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the tri-tip in the pan with the side the most fat facing down. Reduce the heat to medium and allow the roast to sear for about 4 minutes, or until browned.