How to Make the Ultimate Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a classic grilled cheese sandwich.
If you are looking for a meal that is easy to prepare and cook, you’re going to love our tri-tip grilled cheese sandwich recipe because at Steak Club, we believe in taking this beloved dish to the next level.
At the heart of this sandwich is Steak Club’s premium tri-tip steak, known for its rich flavor and tender texture.
Tri-Tip, a popular cut in American barbecue, brings a robust beefy taste that pairs exceptionally well with melty cheese and crispy bread. For an in-depth understanding of this exquisite cut, check out our Ultimate Guide on Tri-Tip.
The beauty of the Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich lies in its simplicity. This recipe is quick, easy, and customizable. You can choose your favorite cheeses, breads, and toppings to create your own version of this classic comfort food.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Tri-Tip Cheese Sandwich Ingredients and Recipe
- Choosing the Best Cheese for your Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Side Dishes and Accompaniments for your Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Beef Alternatives and Substitutions for your Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Fun Facts and Obscure Details about the Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Conclusion
- Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich FAQ
Key Takeaways
What you’ll learn | Details |
How to grill a tri-tip roast | The best way to grill a tri-tip roast is to use a reverse sear method, which means starting on low heat and finishing on high heat. This will give you a tender and juicy roast with a nice crust. |
How to slice a tri-tip roast | The trick to slicing a tri-tip roast is to cut against the grain, which means perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fibers. This will make the meat more tender and easier to chew. |
How to choose the best cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich | The best cheeses are the ones that melt well and have a good flavor. Some examples are cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, and fontina. |
How to assemble and cook a tri-tip grilled cheese sandwich | The basic steps are to butter the bread, layer the cheese and sliced tri-tip, and cook the sandwich on a skillet over medium heat until golden and melty. You can also add some extras like mustard, mayo, onions, peppers, or jam. |
Tri-Tip Cheese Sandwich Ingredients and Recipe
How to Grill a Tri-Tip Roast
A tri-tip roast is a triangular cut of beef from the bottom sirloin. It’s a lean and flavorful cut that’s ideal for grilling. One of the best ways to grill a tri-tip roast is to use a reverse sear method. This means starting on low heat and finishing on high heat. This will give you a tender and juicy roast with a nice crust.
Here are the steps to grill a tri-tip roast:
- Trim the excess fat and silver skin from the roast. Silver skin is a thin layer of connective tissue that doesn’t break down during cooking and can be tough to eat.
- Season the roast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Naturally you can substitute this for your favorite rub or marinade.
- Set up your grill for two-zone cooking, which means having one side with high heat and the other side with low heat. If you have a gas grill, turn one burner to high and the other to low. If you have a charcoal grill, pile the coals on one side and leave the other side empty.
- Place the roast on the low heat side of the grill and close the lid. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes, flipping every 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 115°F (46°C) for medium rare. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Move the roast to the high heat side of the grill and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 125°F (52°C) for medium rare. You can adjust the cooking time according to your desired doneness.
- Transfer the roast to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the temperature to rise by another 10°F (5°C).
- Slice the roast against the grain, which means perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fibers. This will make the meat more tender and easier to chew.
How to Assemble a Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Now that you have your grilled tri-tip roast, cheese and bread of choice, you’re ready to make your tri-tip grilled cheese sandwich.
The basic steps are to butter the bread, layer the cheese and sliced tri-tip, and cook the sandwich on a skillet over medium heat until golden and melty.
You can also add some extras like mustard, mayo, onions, peppers, or jam to enhance the flavor and texture.
Here’s the ingredients and instructions for making a tri-tip grilled cheese sandwich:
Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich Ingredients
4 slices of sturdy bread (sourdough or ciabatta)
2 tablespoons of butter
4 slices of cheese (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or fontina)
8 ounces (225 grams) of grilled tri-tip roast, thinly sliced
Optional:
mustard, mayo, onions, peppers,
jam, or any other toppings you like
Instructions
- Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a cutting board or a plate.
- Layer the cheese and sliced tri-tip on top of the bread. You can also add some optional toppings, such as mustard, mayo, onions, peppers, or jam, if you like.
- Place the remaining slices of bread, buttered side up, on top of the cheese and tri-tip. Press lightly to seal the sandwiches.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully transfer the sandwiches to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. You can use a spatula to flip the sandwiches and a lid to cover the skillet to help the cheese melt faster.
- Cut the sandwiches in half and enjoy!
Choosing the Best Cheese for your Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
The cheese is the star of any grilled cheese sandwich, so you want to choose wisely. The best cheeses are the ones that melt well and have a good flavor. You can use one cheese or a combination of cheeses to create different tastes and textures.
Some of the best cheeses for a grilled cheese sandwich are:
- Cheddar: This is a classic choice that has a sharp and tangy flavor and a smooth and creamy texture. You can use mild, medium, or sharp cheddar, depending on your preference.
- Swiss: This is a mild and nutty cheese that melts well and pairs nicely with ham or bacon. You can also use Emmental or Gruyere, which are similar to Swiss cheese.
- Mozzarella: This is a fresh and stretchy cheese that has a delicate flavor and a soft texture. It’s great for a caprese-style grilled cheese with tomatoes and pesto.
- Fontina: This is a semi-soft cheese that has a buttery and nutty flavor and a rich and gooey texture. It’s perfect for a gourmet grilled cheese with mushrooms or caramelized onions.
Side Dishes and Accompaniments for your Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
To make your tri-tip grilled cheese sandwich more filling and balanced, you can serve it with some side dishes and accompaniments. Here are some suggestions:
- Fries: A crispy and salty side dish that goes well with any sandwich, fries can be made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, or other root vegetables. You can bake them in the oven, fry them in oil, or cook them in an air fryer. You can also season them with salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, or other spices. You can also serve them with ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, or other sauces.
- Pickles: Pickles add a tangy and crunchy contrast to the sandwich. You can use dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, or even fried pickles for a fun twist.
- Coleslaw: Coleslaw is another classic side dish for sandwiches, and you can make it with cabbage, carrots, mayo, vinegar, sugar, and salt. You can also add some apple or pineapple for a sweet touch
- Tomato soup: A classic and comforting pairing with grilled cheese, tomato soup adds a tangy and creamy contrast to the savory and cheesy sandwich. You can make your own tomato soup from scratch or use a canned or boxed version. You can also dip your sandwich in the soup for extra flavor and texture.
- Salad: A fresh and crisp salad can add some color and crunch to your plate. You can make a simple green salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and dressing, or a more elaborate salad with spinach, apples, nuts, and cheese. You can also try a coleslaw, a potato salad, or a pasta salad for more variety and substance.
- Vegetables: A healthy and tasty side dish that can complement the richness of the sandwich, vegetables can be grilled, roasted, steamed, or sautéed. You can use any kind of vegetables you like, such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, or peppers. You can also season them with salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, or cheese.
- Fruit: A sweet and refreshing side dish that can cleanse your palate and provide some vitamins and antioxidants, fruit can be served fresh, frozen, or dried. You can use any kind of fruit you like, such as apples, oranges, grapes, berries, or melons. You can also make a fruit salad, a smoothie, or a fruit salsa.
Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich Beverage Pairings
- Red Wine: A glass of bold red wine, like a Cabernet Sauvignon, pairs beautifully with the savory tri-tip.
- Craft Beers: A hoppy IPA or a smooth lager can enhance the flavors of the sandwich.
- Non-Alcoholic Options: Iced tea or a sparkling lemonade offers a refreshing contrast to the rich sandwich.
Beef Alternatives and Substitutions for your Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
If you don’t have tri-tip or you want to try something different, you can also use other cuts of beef for your grilled cheese sandwich. Some good alternatives are:
- Flank steak: Flank steak is a lean and flavorful cut from the abdominal muscles of the cow. It’s best when marinated and grilled quickly over high heat, then sliced thinly across the grain.
- Skirt steak: Skirt steak is a long and thin cut from the diaphragm muscles of the cow. It has a lot of fat marbling and a strong beefy flavor. It’s also best when marinated and grilled quickly over high heat, then sliced thinly across the grain.
- Sirloin steak: Sirloin steak is a tender and juicy cut from the rear part of the cow. It has a moderate amount of fat and a mild flavor. It can be grilled over medium-high heat to your preferred doneness, then sliced thinly.
Fun Facts and Obscure Details about the Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Here are some fun facts and obscure details about tri-tip and grilled cheese sandwiches that you may not know:
- Tri-tip is also known as Newport steak, Santa Maria steak, triangle tip, and triangle steak, depending on the region and the preparation.
- Tri-tip was popularized in California in the 1950s, when a local butcher named Bob Schutz started marketing it as a distinct cut of beef. It became a staple of Santa Maria-style barbecue, which involves seasoning the tri-tip with salt, pepper, garlic, and other spices, and grilling it over red oak wood.
- Grilled cheese sandwiches date back to the 1920s, when sliced bread and processed cheese became widely available. They were originally called cheese dream sandwiches, and were often served with bacon, ham, or tomato.
- Grilled cheese sandwiches are one of the most popular comfort foods in the US, and there is even a National Grilled Cheese Day on April 12th. According to a survey by YouGov, the most preferred cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches is American cheese, followed by cheddar and Swiss.
- Grilled cheese sandwiches can be made more interesting and delicious by adding different ingredients, such as caramelized onions, bacon, mustard, jam, apple, avocado, pesto, or even chocolate.
Conclusion
Steak Club isn’t just about premium cuts of beef; it’s an experience. We invite you to explore our range of beef steaks and try other recipes like our Flank Steak Sandwich for more culinary adventures.
Incorporating Steak Club’s tri-tip into a grilled cheese sandwich is a game-changer. It’s a simple, quick meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or quality.
Perfect for a hearty lunch or a satisfying dinner, whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with various toppings and flavors, this sandwich is sure to become a new favorite.
Try this recipe and let us know what you think!
Tri-Tip Grilled Cheese Sandwich FAQ
Tri-tip is a triangular cut of beef from the bottom sirloin. It’s a lean and flavorful cut that’s ideal for grilling. It’s also known as Santa Maria steak, California cut, or Newport steak.
The best bread for a grilled cheese sandwich is a sturdy bread that can hold up to the cheese and the toppings. Some examples are sourdough, ciabatta, rye, or whole wheat. You can also use Texas toast, brioche, or croissant for a more indulgent sandwich.
To make a grilled cheese sandwich crispy, you need to butter the bread well and cook it on a skillet over medium heat until golden and crunchy. You can also use mayonnaise instead of butter for a tangier and crispier crust. Another tip is to sprinkle some grated cheese on the outside of the bread before cooking it, which will create a cheesy and crispy layer.
