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This tasty tri tip marinade is the best way to infuse your tri-tip steak with delicious flavor and make it perfectly tender. It’s easy to mix together with ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh garlic and seasonings for the most wonderful savory, sweet, and tangy taste.

It doesn’t matter if it’s steak or chicken, I know that if I’m using a good marinade, the meal will be delicious! For maximum flavor, I highly recommend a homemade marinade like this steak marinade, this yummy Asian-inspired marinade, and my classic  chicken marinade!

Tri tip in a ziplock bag with marinade.

Reasons to LOVE This Recipe

  • Easy: To make this tri-tip marinade, you’ll only need about 5 minutes and a handful of simple ingredients.
  • Flavorful: With a marinade that tastes as good as this one, you’ll want to use it on everything, not just tri tip steaks! It’s great on chicken and other types of steak too!
  • Perfect for Grilling Season: This is the perfect time to give this delicious marinade a try! Trust me, everyone will love it.

Tri-Tip Marinade Recipe

With this delicious tri-tip marinade you’ll never have to worry about dry, flavorless steak again! It’s the most delicious combination of ingredients that will bring flavor to the meat while making it juicy and tender. Plus, the marinade adds moisture and helps to keep it from becoming dry while cooking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Olive Oil: This will give the marinade the perfect consistency and add moisture to the meat.
  • Fresh Lime Juice: The citrus will help to tenderize the steak.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds salty, savory flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances the savory ingredients with a hint of sweetness.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: For the best umami flavor.
  • Fresh Garlic: Provides a pungent aromatic flavor.
  • Onion Powder: Brings a subtle onion taste without having to use fresh onions.
  • Italian Seasoning: A combination of outstanding herbs. 
  • Salt & Pepper: Cracked black pepper and kosher salt brings all of the flavors together.
  • Tri-Tip Steak: This marinade is the perfect amount for 2 to 3 pounds of tri-tip steak.
Top view of ingredients laid out on the counter. Each in individual fglass bowls and labeled.

How to Make Tri Tip Marinade

This recipe could not be easier! After trying this homemade marinade, you’ll never want store-bought again.

Make the Marinade

  1. Whisk: In a medium bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients.
  2. Marinate: Place 2-3 pounds of tri-tip steak in a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag. Pour your marinade into the bag and marinate for one hour or up to 24 hours.

How Long Should You Marinate Tri Tip?

For maximum flavor, tenderness and juiciness, we recommend marinating your steak at least one hour but a few hours is even better. You can leave the steak marinating for up to 24 hours.

To Cook the Steak

  1. Cook: Cook the tri-tip with your preferred method, you can grill, bake, or cook them on the stovetop. Cook to the desired doneness. Check out this post for all of my tips and tricks to cooking Tri Tip
  2. Rest and Slice: Let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Be sure to slice the meat against the grain!

How to Customize Tri Tip Marinade

There are so many ways to infuse different flavors into this marinade! Here are a few ideas for you to try!

  • Use a Different Citrus: Lemon juice or orange juice work great to replace the lime juice.
  • Soy Sauce Substitutions: Feel free to use low-sodium soy sauce, and for a gluten-free option, use tamari!
  • Italian Seasoning: Add in some extra flavor by using Italian seasoning. You will love this homemade Italian seasoning! Or use store-bought if that’s easier!
A tri tip steak being cute.

How to Store Tri Tip Steak Marinade

  • In the Refrigerator: Homemade tri tip marinade will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge in an airtight container. However, once the marinade has mixed with raw meat or fish, it will need to be discarded.
  • In the Freezer: Place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag and freeze for 3-6 months.

More Delicious Marinade Recipes

A tasty marinade will really elevate your protein! It will add so much more flavor and moisture to everything from salmon and shrimp to chicken and pork chops! Check out some more delicious marinades that you can use to add flavor to just about any type of meat.

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Tri-Tip Marinade

By: Alyssa Rivers
This tasty tri-tip marinade is the best way to infuse your tri-tip steak with delicious flavor and make it perfectly tender. It's easy to mix together with ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh garlic and seasonings for the most wonderful savory, sweet, and tangy taste.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 2 Tri Tip Steak

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients.
  • Place 2-3 pounds of tri-tip steak in a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag. Pour your marinade into the bag and marinate for one hour or up to 24 hours.
  • Cook the tri-tip with your preferred method, you can grill, bake, or cook them on the stovetop. Cook to the desired doneness.
  • Let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Be sure to slice the meat against the grain!

Nutrition

Calories: 613kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 38gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 4.81mgPotassium: 832mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 77IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: marinade
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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