Santa Maria Tri-Tip with Pistachio Pesto

Grilled Tri-Tip roast with West Coast flavors. This juicy, tender cut pairs perfectly with vine-ripe tomatoes and grilled zucchini and pistachio pesto.

Cook Mode

Ingredients:

  • 1 beef Tri-Tip Roast (about 2 pounds), trimmed
  • 1/2 cup olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound zucchini, divided
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, torn
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, torn
Rub:
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons granulated onion
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
Pesto:
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup salted pistachios, toasted
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil

Cooking:

  1. Combine rub ingredients; set aside. Preheat grill to medium-low heat.
  2. Coat both sides of Tri-Tip Roast with 1/4 cup olive oil; sprinkle with prepared rub. Place roast in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals or medium heat on preheated gas grill. Grill roast, covered 15 to 20 minutes for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. 
  3. Cook's Tip: Ensure grid is 3 to 4 inches above heat.
  4. Meanwhile, cut half of zucchini lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices. Grill zucchini and lemon, cut side down, 8 to 10 minutes or until tender and slightly charred. Remove from grill; set aside.
  5. Remove roast when instant-read thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare; 150°F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 10 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium).
  6. Preheat broiler to low. Slice remaining zucchini crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. Combine zucchini and tomatoes on rimmed baking sheet. Toss with remaining 1/4 cup olive oil; season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread in a single layer. Broil 15 to 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender and begin to dry out.
  7. To prepare pesto, add reserved grilled zucchini, olive oil, pistachios, garlic, Parmesan, parsley and basil in blender container. Pulse until smooth and desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  8. Thinly slice roast. Place broiled vegetables on bottom of large platter. Sprinkle with torn basil and parsley; top with steak slices. Drizzle with pesto and a squeeze of grilled lemon before serving.

Nutrition Information

The Essential Ingredients

Safe Handling Tips

FAQs

Beef Checkoff

Bourbon Blueberry & Brie Bacon Cheeseburger

Brian Capps of Louisville, KY, has been crowned the 2021 Derby Burger Champion in the 10th Annual Derby Burger Challenge. Capps’ burger, made with 100% Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef is packed with flavor. The patty is topped with brie, thick-cut bacon, a blueberry bourbon sauce and arugula - all on a brioche bun.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef
  • 4 Slices Bacon, thick sliced
  • 1/4 inch Sliced Brie Cheese, rind removed
  • 1 pint Fresh Blueberries
  • 1 Lemon, halved
  • 1/8 cup White Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Bourbon
  • 2 Brioche Buns
  • 2 Tbsp. Salted Butter
  • Arugula 
  • ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
  • ¼ tsp. Black Pepper

Recipe

1. Form Two Patties and Set Aside.

2. Preheat your skillet over medium high heat. Add butter, and sliced buns. Cook until golden brown, set aside.

3. Salt and pepper both sides of the burger patty, cook over medium high heat. Cook until internal temperature of 160°F (USDA recommended), add cheese before taking off heat until melted.

4. Add blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a small pot. Cook on medium to low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly add your slurry mixture to thicken blueberry sauce. Remove mixture from heat and stir in your bourbon.

5. Build your burger. Place your burger patty with melted cheese, cooked bacon, blueberry sauce on the bottom bun. Top the burger with arugula and add the top bun.

6. Enjoy!

Find more delicious recipes and other ways to be involved in the Derby Burger Challenge HERE!