How to Cut Tri-tip Correctly: Slice the Meat Against the Grain

Tri-tip Has 2 Grain Directions, One is More Vertical and One is More Horizontal

Here’s the triangular end – the grain is more vertical.

Looking at the “tube” end we can see the grain is more horizontal:

Cut the Tri-tip in Half Where the Grain Changes

We now know that the grain changes roughly at the middle of the boomerang shape.

The Grain of the Triangle End was Vertical, So We’d Slice Horizontally

That looks like this:

The “Tube” Side Grain was More Horizontal, So We’d Slice More Vertically

Meaning, you’d cut the cooked meat like this:

That’s all there is to it – simply slice tri tip against the grain.

Simply look at how the lines are oriented and slice with your knife in the opposite direction.