Tailgate without working your tail off: Gameday Recipes for Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip
Football season is here at last. It’s the time of year when meat and sports lovers are in their true element. And that can only mean one thing: tailgating.
Sometimes, the tailgate party is just as fun as the game itself. Whether you’re at a high school game or a pro stadium, there’s no shortage of fun to be had and delicious game day bites to be enjoyed.
The only downside to it all is the preparation. Who wants to be stuck in a kitchen when you should be hanging out with the crew?
The answer is no one. And we get that. Morton’s of Omaha’s pre-seasoned, ready-to-cook meats can help eliminate all that time in the kitchen so you’re ready to throw everything together quickly and focus on the main event.
Our Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip is the perfect cut for your tailgating adventures or at-home watch parties. It’s already seasoned so all you have to do is throw it on the grill (or even grill it ahead of time so all you have to do at the tailgate is assemble). We put together some easy recipes to give you some ideas.
Steak Sandwiches
Burgers are probably the most common tailgate food, as they’re a foolproof favorite loved by most all. When you replace ground beef with our Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip, it’s like biting into a juicy burger, but with steak. And less messy hands. What’s not to love about that?
What you’ll need:
- Morton’s of Omaha Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip
- Buns, toppings and condiments of your choice (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, homemade horseradish sauce, mustard, BBQ sauce or mayo)
Prepare your tri-tip as per the directions on the package. To grill your beef tri-tip, preheat the grill to approximately 400ºF-450ºF. Place the tri-tip on the grill with the fat side up. Grill it for 30 minutes to one hour, flipping at least once to ensure even cooking minutes per side. Let it rest, then slice against the grain. Pile the sliced tri-tip on burger buns, then add your favorite toppings.
Pro-tip: Horseradish sauce is a traditional complement to grilled or roast beef, can be made ahead and takes only two minutes to prepare. Try this easy recipe to take your steak sandwiches to the next level!
Tri-Tip Chili
There’s nothing better than chowing down on a bowl of warm chili while you cheer on your team. And best of all, this delicious dish is easy to make hours or days ahead of time. Two hours in the slow cooker is all it takes to have a hot, hearty dish that’s perfect for the chilliest game day.
What you’ll need:
- Morton’s of Omaha Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons chili seasoning (not chili powder!)
- 1 cup beer
- 1 can pinto beans
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 3 cups beef stock
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Black pepper, to taste
First, brown the onions and garlic in a skillet with ¼ tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until fragrant and translucent.
Second, in the same pan, add your cubed tri-tip and cook just until browned, 1-2 minutes.
Finally, add the onions, garlic and tri-tip to a slow cooker, along with the rest of the ingredients. Set your slow cooker to “high” and let the chili cook for two hours. Check the meat temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the tri-tip has reached 145ºF. Then, it’s ready to eat!
Tri-Tip Walking Tacos
Walking tacos bring a whole new meaning to “all that and a bag of chips.” What are they, exactly? Individual-sized bags of tortilla or corn chips topped with all of the traditional taco fixings for a convenient and mess-free way to enjoy this fan-favorite game day meal. The best part is that these are completely customizable to make all of your guests happy.
What you’ll need:
- Individual bags of nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips
- Morton’s of Omaha Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip, grilled, OR one recipe of tri-tip chili (see above)
- Your favorite taco toppings, such as queso, diced jalapeños, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole
Grill your tri-tip as per the directions on the package or prepare the tri-tip chili recipe.
Open your bag of chips and layer in the tri-tip or the chili, followed by melty queso, diced jalapeños, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. Grab a fork and enjoy your walking tacos!
Grilled BBQ Tri-Tip Flatbread Pizzas
Pizza on game day never goes out of style. These hearty, satisfying flatbread pizzas are as easy as it gets. Everything is prepared on the grill for simple preparation and easy cleanup.
What you’ll need:
- Morton’s of Omaha Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip
- 1 package of store-bought flatbread – either one large or individually sized
- Shredded pepper jack cheese
- BBQ sauce
- Optional: Diced red onion, cilantro
Grill your Morton’s of Omaha Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip as per the instructions on the package. Let it rest for five minutes before slicing into thin strips.
While the tri-tip is resting, place your flatbread(s) on the grill and let them get a little char on each side.
Remove the flatbreads from the grill and top with BBQ sauce, then the shredded pepper jack cheese. Place pizzas back on the grill for a couple minutes until the cheese is melted. Top the pizzas with tri-tip, then diced onions, chopped cilantro and a drizzle of ranch, if desired.
Any of these recipes are perfect for your next tailgate or at-home watch party. Basically, anywhere you’d normally use ground or shredded beef, you can use tri-tip for a hearty, satisfying substitute.
If tri-tip isn’t your thing, try making any of these recipes with our Salt & Pepper Beef Brisket. Like our Steakhouse Classic Tri-Tip, our beef brisket is also pre-seasoned to make preparation a breeze.
Head over to our store locator to find our products near you, and you’ll be on your way to spending more time watching the game and hanging out with the crew instead of working in the kitchen. May your favorite team – and your game day eats – have a winning season.
