Red Wine Tri Tip Marinade
Cab, Zin, or Syrah with garlic, soy, and rosemary. The acid loosens surface fibers and the wine concentrates on the heat. 4-8 hours max.
Red wine and tri tip are a natural pairing, both are products of the same California terroir. The Central Coast grows the grapes and raises the cattle, and this marinade puts them together for tri tip that tastes like Paso Robles wine country.
It is a Central Coast pairing on a plate. The same valleys that raise the cattle grow the Cabernet, Zinfandel, and Syrah, so a red-wine marinade here is less a fusion than a homecoming. Use a bottle you would actually drink; nothing you wouldn’t pour in a glass belongs in the bag.
Why It Works
- Red wine (Cabernet, Zinfandel, or Syrah): The tannins and acid in the wine break down surface proteins on the meat, creating a deeper, more complex flavor than a dry rub alone.
- Soy sauce: Adds umami depth and enhances savoriness.
- Dijon mustard: Brings sharpness and a gentle bite.
- Fresh rosemary: Comes through on the nose when you slice, a subtle, aromatic signature that a rub alone can’t replicate.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry red wine (Cabernet, Zinfandel, or Syrah)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (smashed)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Combine red wine (Cab, Zin, or Syrah), soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, fresh rosemary, and cracked pepper in a bowl or zip-lock bag.
Use a wine you’d actually drink. Cooking wine is garbage. It’s full of salt and has no flavor worth transferring to the meat. A $10 Cab from the Central Coast is perfect.
- 2
Submerge the tri tip in the marinade. Seal and refrigerate for 4-8 hours. Flip it once halfway through.
Don’t go past 8 hours. The acid in the wine breaks down surface proteins. Past 8 hours it starts to turn the texture mushy instead of tender. 4-6 hours is the sweet spot.
- 3
Remove the tri tip from the marinade and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Discard the marinade.
This is the most important step. If the surface is wet, it steams instead of searing. You need a dry surface for a proper crust. Pat it aggressively. You want it bone dry.
- 4
Season with salt (the soy sauce provides some, so go lighter than usual) and cook using your preferred method. Best for grilling or reverse sear.
The wine and soy leave a deeper, more complex flavor than a dry rub alone. The rosemary comes through on the nose when you slice. This is the marinade to use when you want tri tip that tastes like Paso Robles wine country.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
- Calories
- 45
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Sat. Fat
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 2 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
- Sodium
- 340 mg
- Cholesterol
- 0 mg
Values are estimates based on standard ingredients and serving sizes.
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