Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with my air fryer again, and this time I tried making tri-tip in it. Yeah, I know, it sounds a bit weird, but trust me, it turned out pretty awesome. So, I figured I’d share how I did it ’cause it’s just too good to keep to myself.
Getting Started
First things first, I went to the store and grabbed a nice-looking tri-tip. You want one that’s got some good marbling, you know, that fat running through it. That’s where the flavor’s at. I picked one that was around 2 pounds, which is a good size for the air fryer.
Seasoning it Up
Next up, seasoning. Now, you can go wild here, but I kept it simple. I just rubbed the tri-tip all over with some salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little bit of paprika. Nothing fancy, just good old-fashioned flavors. I made sure to really get that seasoning into all the nooks and crannies.
Into the Air Fryer
Alright, now for the main event. I preheated my air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While that was heating up, I let the tri-tip sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once the air fryer was ready, I plopped the tri-tip right into the basket.
Cooking Time
I cooked it for about 20 minutes, flipping it halfway through. I used a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, and when it hit 135 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare, I pulled it out.
Rest and Slice
This part is crucial, folks. I let the tri-tip rest for about 10 minutes before slicing into it. This lets all those juices redistribute, making for a super tender and flavorful piece of meat. Then, I sliced it up against the grain and, oh boy, it was juicy!
- Get the tri-tip: Look for good marbling, around 2 pounds.
- Season it: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika – rub it all in.
- Air fryer time: Preheat to 400F, let the tri-tip sit out for 30 minutes.
- Cook it: 20 minutes total, flip halfway, 135F internal temp for medium-rare.
- Rest and slice: 10 minutes rest, then slice against the grain.
Honestly, this was one of the easiest and tastiest things I’ve made in my air fryer. The outside gets this nice crust, and the inside is just perfectly cooked. If you’ve got an air fryer and you’re looking for a new way to cook tri-tip, give this a try. You won’t regret it!
