Korean Grilled Tri-Tip with Sesame Cucumber

Savory-sweet Korean-marinated tri-tip comes off the grill juicy and deeply caramelized, with a crisp sesame cucumber salad featuring peak August produce.

Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: —
Estimated total cost: $15–$17
Calories per serving: —

Ingredients

Certified Angus Beef Tri Tip Steak (2 Steak per Pack)
1 lb $12.99
Cucumber
1 large $0.99
Fresh green onions
2 $1.50
Low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon
Toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons
Garlic
2 cloves
Fresh ginger
2 teaspoons grated
Rice vinegar
2 tablespoons
Granulated sugar
1 teaspoon
Toasted sesame seeds
2 teaspoons
Neutral cooking oil
1 tablespoon
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon
Charles Smith Wines Kungfu Girl Riesling Washington White Wine
1 bottle $14.99

Instructions

1.
Combine 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 thinly sliced green onion; season 1 pound tri-tip with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, coat it in the marinade, and marinate for 20 minutes while heating the grill to medium-high during the final 10 minutes.
2.
Thinly slice 1 large cucumber and toss it with 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 thinly sliced green onion, and 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds; let the salad stand for 10 minutes.
3.
Lift the 1 pound marinated tri-tip from the marinade, discard the used marinade, and coat the beef with 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil; grill for 4 to 6 minutes per side, covered, until the center reaches 140°F.
4.
Rest the grilled 1 pound tri-tip for 8 minutes so it reaches a safe 145°F and retains its juices.
5.
Thinly slice the rested 1 pound tri-tip across the grain and plate it with the sesame cucumber salad made from 1 large cucumber.

Health: Serves 2 at about 520 calories each, with roughly 48 grams of protein and a fresh, low-starch vegetable side.

Drink pairing: An off-dry Riesling cools the gentle chile heat and balances the soy-sesame marinade.

Wine picks:

Charles Smith Wines Kungfu Girl Riesling Washington White Wine $14.99 1 bottle
Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Syrah Washington Red Wine $17.99 1 bottle

Why it works: The tri-tip’s caramelized soy-brown sugar crust and sesame richness can handle a red, while the cucumber and rice vinegar call for freshness. A slightly sweet Riesling is the best overall match for the gentle chile heat; the Syrah offers a bolder alternative for emphasizing the grilled beef.

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