Charred Tri-Tip with California BBQ Dry Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tri-tip steak seasoned with a bold California-inspired dry rub, grilled to perfection with a smoky crust and juicy center. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs tri-tip roast, brown sugar, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 American cuisine 350 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

2 lbs tri-tip roast
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp olive oil

Know when the beef is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp kosher salt in a small bowl to create the dry rub.
Step 2: Pat dry 2 lbs tri-tip roast with paper towels and rub all over with 2 tbsp olive oil. Generously coat the tri-tip with the dry rub, pressing it into the meat.
Step 3: Preheat grill to high heat (450°F to 500°F). Place tri-tip on the grill and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until a dark crust forms.
Step 4: Reduce grill heat to medium (350°F), move tri-tip to indirect heat, and continue cooking covered for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
Step 5: Remove from grill, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain. Serve with your favorite sides.