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    Home » Recipes » Beef » Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce

    Last Updated April 18, 2022. Originally Posted June 27, 2017 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is a yummy cut of meat covered in a sweet and spicy sauce. Soft, juicy and absolutely perfect. Enjoy!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is made for summer cookouts and hanging out with friends. This tender and soft meat is layered with a spicy, sweet sauce that you and your guests will love. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Tis the season for grillin’! There’s something about grilled meats that I absolutely love. Maybe it’s the char from the BBQ sauce or tenderness of the meat. Barbecues are meant for summers, good friends, and yummy cocktails. What to make for your next backyard cookout? Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce.

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is made for summer cookouts and hanging out with friends. This tender and soft meat is layered with a spicy, sweet sauce that you and your guests will love. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen


    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

    It all starts with a good spice rub the night before. This is a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, paprika, ground cumin, oregano, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stuff you can easily find in your cupboard. If not, THIS is a good one. Let this sit overnight, but no less than 6 hours.

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is made for summer cookouts and hanging out with friends. This tender and soft meat is layered with a spicy, sweet sauce that you and your guests will love. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Next is the Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce. If you’re not into making your sauce, here’s a sneaky chef trick. Buy a store bought BBQ sauce. THIS ONE is my favorite from-a-bottle sauce. Pour it into a saucepan, add the whiskey and chipotle powder. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, and ready. Easy, right?!

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is made for summer cookouts and hanging out with friends. This tender and soft meat is layered with a spicy, sweet sauce that you and your guests will love. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Grilling is an art, my friends. You can’t rush good BBQ. Take the meat out and let it rest. Reason for this is that you don’t want to shock the meat. Soft and tender meat, that’s what we’re after. In the meantime, heat up the grill.

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is made for summer cookouts and hanging out with friends. This tender and soft meat is layered with a spicy, sweet sauce that you and your guests will love. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    When you place the meat on the grill, have your Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce ready for the first layer. Don’t walk away. That’s why you need to enlist someone to freshen up your drink. Close the lid. Let the grill do its THANG for 10-20 minutes. 10 minutes for the smaller tri tips, 20 minutes for the larger tri tips. Keep your cooking thermometer handy. It is ready when the Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce reaches 145 degrees F for medium rare, 160 F for medium, and 175 F well done.

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is made for summer cookouts and hanging out with friends. This tender and soft meat is layered with a spicy, sweet sauce that you and your guests will love. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    The MOST important part is the final step. Remove from the grill and tent it with foil paper. Let your Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce rest. Minimum 10 minutes. If you don’t let it rest and just slice into it, the juices will spill out and your meat won’t be as juicy. Talk about a tragedy! Happy Grilling!

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is made for summer cookouts and hanging out with friends. This tender and soft meat is layered with a spicy, sweet sauce that you and your guests will love. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce

    Grilled Tri Tip with Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce is a yummy cut of meat covered in a sweet and spicy sauce. Soft, juicy and absolutely perfect. Enjoy!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: BBQ
    Cuisine: Mexican American
    Prep Time: 1 day
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 1 day 40 minutes
    Servings: 6 -8
    Calories: 535kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • Meat:
    • 2 lbs Tri Tip
    • For the Spice Rub:
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    • 2 tablespoons paprika
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 2 tablespoons salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • For the Whisky Chipotle BBQ Sauce:
    • 1/2 onion minced
    • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
    • 1/2 cup whiskey
    • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
    • 1/2 tablespoon salt
    • 2 cups ketchup
    • 1/4 cup tomato paste
    • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons liquid smoke
    • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon chipotle powder or less, depending on your taste

    Instructions

    • Mix all the spice rub ingredients together.
    • Add spice rub to the meat.
    • Cover and refrigerate overnight, or 6 hours minimum.
    • For the Whiskey Chipotle BBQ Sauce:
    • Add whiskey, garlic, and onion to a large skillet.
    • Simmer for 5-6 minutes, or until onion is cooked and translucent.
    • Add black pepper, salt, ketchup, tomato paste, vinegar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and chipotle powder.
    • Bring everything to a boil.
    • Reduce heat.
    • Simmer for 15 minutes.
    • For a smoother consistency, strain the sauce.
    • Set aside.
    • Heat the grill to 350 degrees F.
    • Place the meat on the grill.
    • Apply the first layer of BBQ sauce.
    • Close lid and cook for 10-20 minutes.
    • (For smaller tri tips, 10 minutes)
    • (For larger tri tips, 20 minutes)
    • Turn and apply another layer of BBQ sauce.
    • Close lid and again cook for 10-20 minutes.
    • Tri tip is ready when 145 degrees F for medium rare, 160 F for medium, and 175 F well done.
    • Cover with foil paper for a minimum of 10 minutes before slicing into thin slices.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Make the sauce ahead of time, and take it out when the ribs are ready to hit the grill. 
    You can also buy the tamarind paste instead of making it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 535kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 3977mg | Potassium: 1156mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 2608IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!


    Got any BBQ Tips? Let me know in the comments!

    Filed Under: Beef, Recipes, Summer

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Swathi

      December 11, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      This Grilled tri-tip looks yum. love that whiskey chipotle bbq sauce.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 17, 2020 at 12:48 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    2. Debra

      December 13, 2020 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      So much yum in one recipe! Awesome combo of flavors.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 14, 2020 at 1:03 pm

        Thanks! Yes, this recipe it’s delicious

        Reply
        • Kim White

          July 20, 2022 at 3:23 pm

          Such a big fan of Tri Tip lots of people in Wisconsin never heard of it .When I lived in Los Angeles it was a poolside favorite of ours. Now when I bbq it in the midwest eyes and noses open wide to the new experience. Thanks for the recipe.

        • Maggie Unzueta

          July 26, 2022 at 10:43 am

          Yes, it’s virtually unheard of in many states, or they have different names for it. Sometimes, you have to special order it from the butcher.

    3. Donalyn Deeds

      April 30, 2022 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      Tamarind paste? Only found it in the notes, so didn’t use it. Recipe is excellent as it is.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 2, 2022 at 3:37 pm

        That’s good to know. Glad you enjoyed it as is. Thank you!

        Reply
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