Loaded Tri Tip Fries
Thick-cut fries topped with sliced tri tip, chimichurri or cheese sauce, and pickled jalapeños. A crowd favorite.
Loaded tri tip fries are an ideal way to use leftover tri tip: thick-cut fries topped with thin-sliced beef, chimichurri or cheese sauce, and pickled jalapenos. They're perfect for game day and tend to disappear fast.
Reheating the tri tip (key step):
- Don't microwave; it steams the meat and makes the edges rubbery.
- Slice the tri tip thin.
- Warm in a hot skillet with a splash of beef broth, about 60 seconds per side.
- The broth restores moisture while the skillet crisps the edges.
Fries and assembly:
- Use thick-cut fries or steak fries; thin fries get soggy quickly under toppings.
- Spread fries flat on a sheet pan so every fry gets some toppings, not just the top layer.
Flavor options:
- Chimichurri version: bright, fresh, and herbaceous.
- Cheese sauce version: rich, creamy, and indulgent.
Choose chimichurri or cheese sauce based on the vibe you want - both versions work great with the reheated tri tip and loaded fry setup.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, cut thick
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 8 oz sliced tri tip
- Chimichurri or cheese sauce
- Pickled jalapeños
Instructions
- 1
Cook thick-cut fries according to your method — oven, air fryer, or deep fryer. Season with salt while hot.
Frozen crinkle-cuts or steak fries work best here. Thin fries get soggy under toppings. If you're using an air fryer, toss them with a little oil first for better crisping.
- 2
Slice leftover tri tip thin against the grain. If the meat is cold, warm it briefly in a skillet with a splash of beef broth.
This is one of the best uses for leftover tri tip. Don't microwave it - you'll steam out all the moisture. A hot skillet for 60 seconds per side reheats without overcooking.
- 3
Pile fries on a platter. Top with sliced tri tip, then drizzle with chimichurri, cheese sauce, or both. Finish with pickled jalapeños and diced red onion.
Build it on a sheet pan if you're feeding a crowd - spread the fries flat so every bite gets toppings. The chimichurri and cheese sauce versions are both good but very different vibes. Chimichurri is bright and fresh, cheese sauce is rich and indulgent.