Ingredients
- 5 garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons coarse salt, plus additional for seasoning
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (2 to 3-pound) picanha tri-tip roast, fat trimmed and connective tissue removed
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen pearl onions, thawed
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Place the garlic cloves on a cutting board. Slice the cloves in half lengthwise and then smash with the side of a chef's knife. Sprinkle the salt over the garlic and chop and smear the garlic against the cutting board until it makes a paste. (This can also be done using a mortar pestle; smash the garlic halves before placing them in the mortar.) Put the garlic paste in a small bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
Put the meat in a baking pan and prick it all over with a fork or metal skewer. Evenly rub the garlic paste on the meat. Marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Scrape as much of the garlic paste off the meat as possible so it does not burn in the oven.
Heat a large oven-safe skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Pour in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and sear the beef until browned on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes total. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook the roast for about 35 minutes for medium and up to 45 minutes for medium-well. (remember that the roast will continue to cook while resting outside of the oven, so it's best to remove the roast from the oven when it's slightly underdone). Check the color of the roast by making a small slit in the thickest part to check the color (remember that the meat on the edges of the roast will be more well done) or use a digital thermometer to check its temperature (128 to 129 degrees F for medium-rare). Remove the roast from the oven, cover with foil, and set aside to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
While the roast rests, preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Alternately thread the cherry tomatoes and pearl onions onto wood or metal skewers. (If using an outdoor grill, soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning.) Brush the tomatoes and onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Lay the vegetable skewers on the grill pan and char on both sides. Serve on a platter alongside the sliced beef.
*Note: If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the roast fat side up to a roasting pan and follow the recipe instructions as described above.
Photo: Tri-Tip Picanha Roast with Charred Cherry Tomatoes and Onions Recipe
















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 8 reviews
By sfgraces
Lafayette, CA
on November 07, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This was delicious! My two boys loved it. I had to cut the steak in half because it was too big to fit in my pot. I then adjusted the cooking time to 20 minutes. It was perfect and I will definitely make it again. It is rated intermediate but I found it very simple to make.
By iusmiley
on December 26, 2010
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I bought a top loin tri tip roast on sale for this recipe. Made the garlic paste in my mortar & pestle, and added some rosemary, thyme, oregano, and fresh ground black pepper in the mix with the garlic and salt. This was my first time making roast beef and we were quite satisfied with how it turned out. I cooked my 3 lb roast for 38 minutes and let it sit for 15 min. and it was medium once served. . I will definitely make this recipe again!
By charlestonsurf_...
simpsonville, 80
on February 03, 2010
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Picanha is a tender beef that is considered to be the best part of a steer or heifer in Brazil. The flavor of this cut is even considered better than filet mignon due to its marked flavor. It comes from the cap of the top sirloin. It should weigh between 2 to 5 pounds and have a layer of fat, which should be removed only after grilling. It is also called a rump cover, rump cap, cap of rump, and tri tip. The tri tip is not accurate in the United States where a tri tip comes from the bottom sirloin primal cut.
Read all 8 reviews