Tri Tip in the Crock Pot

My fantastic tri tip Crock Pot recipe is tender, savory, and unbelievably satisfying. I whip up this easy, mouth-watering feast whenever I want to treat my family with an over-the-top but easy to make dinner!

My Favorite Slow Cooker Tri Tip

The first time I tried my tri tip Crock Pot method, it was more out of necessity than anything else. It was too cold to grill outside, and I figured, why not let the tri tip roast slow cook while I went about my day? 

I threw in some vegetables, seasoned up the roast, gave it a quick sear, mixed a quick and flavorful broth in the same pan to pour over the roast, then set the Crock Pot on low and hoped for the best. 

The slow cooker is known for tenderizing meat, but when I checked on my tri-tip recipe hours later, I was honestly surprised. The meat was fork tender!

My husband Ben was the first to comment on how good it smelled when he walked in, and even the kids seemed curious about what was for dinner. Which, if you know my kids, is a pretty big deal. The tri tip ended up being such a hit that now, this is one of my fail-safe recipes for busy days when I know we’re going to want something savory and hearty for dinner!

And, if you love tri tip recipes, my recipes for Instant Pot tri tip, tri tip in the air fryer, and my tri tip sandwich.

What is tri tip?

Tri tip is a triangular-shaped cut of beef from the bottom of the sirloin. I love it because it’s a rich, flavorful cut of meat that’s low in fat, cooks like steak, and cuts like brisket!

Some other names for this cut include California cut bottom, sirloin butt, Newport steak, Santa Maria steak, triangle tip, triangle steak, and, my personal favorite, the “poor man’s brisket.”

Crock Pot Tri Tip Ingredients

• Tri tip roast – I look for a tri tip with good marbling and between 2 and 3 pounds
• Vegetables – I use a combination of baby red potatoes, carrots, and onions
• Olive oil – I like to use olive oil, but melted butter will work too
• Seasonings – Italian seasoning, dried thyme, dried rosemary, minced garlic, and salt and pepper enhance the flavors of the roast
• Beef broth – to create the liquid the roast will cook in
• Onion soup mix – gives the tri tip incredible flavor without extra work and ingredients
• Worcestershire sauce – adds depth and richness to the broth mixture

How to Make Tri Tip in the Crock Pot

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Place the carrots, potatoes, and onion in the of a 6-quart slow cooker. Toss vegetables with black pepper, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, and olive oil. Coat it thoroughly and evenly.

STEP TWO: Use the remaining salt and pepper, thyme, and rosemary to season the roast.

STEP THREE: Use a large cast-iron skillet to heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat and sear roast for 2 minutes on each side. Place roast in crock on top of vegetables.

STEP FOUR: Add the minced garlic and some of the broth to the skillet. Scrape the brown, caramelized yummy bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon or spatula. 

STEP FIVE: Stir in remaining broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and bring it to a simmer. Pour the simmering mixture over roast in the slow cooker. 

STEP SIX: Cover the crock pot and cook it on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. Check the tri tip temperature with an Instant Meat Thermometer.

Tips for the Best Tri Tip Slow Cooker Recipe

• Sear the tri tip before slow cooking it to lock in all the juices and flavors. It’s not mandatory, but it gives a more tender and flavorful result.
• Toss the veggies thoroughly with the olive oil or melted butter and seasonings in the slow cooker. I mix everything together until the potatoes, carrots, and onion are all coated really well.
• I always put the vegetables below the meat in the Crock Pot. That way, while the meat is slow cooking, the veggies will soak up all that flavor.
• Scraping the brown bits off the bottom of the skillet adds a crazy amount of flavor to the broth! I use a wooden spoon to scrape as much as possible.
• I cook the roast on a low temperature for longer to get the most tender tri tip. I always make sure I have enough time to cook the roast on low because it makes all the difference!

Tri Tip Crock Pot Recipe Variations and substitutions

• To add some heat, I’ll toss a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of cayenne in with the vegetable seasonings.
• Use garlic powder instead of actual minced garlic. I prefer freshly minced in this dish, but 1 teaspoon garlic powder will work in a pinch.
• For a different twist on the flavor, I’ll swap out the Italian seasoning for Montreal Steak Seasoning.
• If tri-tip isn’t available, I’ve had great results substituting a chuck roast in this recipe.
• For added richness, I love adding a splash of red wine to the beef broth mixture that simmers on the stove. It gives the tri tip roast so much depth!
• To make an easy sauce to pour over the slow cooker tri-tip, I’ll scoop some of the liquid out of the Crock Pot after the roast finishes cooking and add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up.
• My family loves when I use leftovers to make tri tip sandwiches! I add a little cheese and watch my husband and kids go crazy.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Tri Tip

When I’m serving my hearty tri tip slow cooker recipe, I like to round out the meal with comfort foods like mac and cheese with cream cheese, twice baked potatoes, or mashed potatoes without milk.

I also love having something like my easy biscuit recipe, air fryer garlic bread, or air fryer crescent rolls to sop up any juices from the tri tip roast!

Tri Tip Crock Pot Recipe FAQs

Can I put raw meat in the slow cooker with vegetables?

I love using my slow cooker because I can put raw meat in at the same time as my vegetables and know that they will all cook thoroughly! Best of all, the veggies soak up so much flavor from the roast as it all cooks.

Do I have to brown a roast before putting it in the crock pot?

It’s not completely necessary to brown the roast before putting it in the Crock Pot, but I never skip this step because it locks in so much flavor! Searing the roast for 2 minutes on all sides ensures maximum savoriness, so I highly recommend it.

When making a roast, do the vegetables go on the top or the bottom?

I always put my vegetables below the roast in the slow cooker so they can soak up maximum flavor as everything cooks. They also keep the roast off the hot bottom of the Crock Pot, which helps the meat cook more evenly and come out fork tender.

How long to cook tri tip in a slow cooker

I highly recommend cooking Crock Pot tri tip on low for 6 to 8 hours. Cooking the tri tip low and slow makes it fork tender and super juicy!

If I’m short on time, I’ll cook the tri tip in the slow cooker on high for 3 to 4 hours.

How should I store leftover tri tip crock pot? 

I let any extra slow cooker tri tip roast fully cool, then store it in an airtight container. Leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Why isn’t my slow cooker tri tip tender?

Tri tip benefits from cooking low and slow, so to get it as tender as possible, I always aim to cook the roast in the Crock Pot on low for 6 to 8 hours to help the proteins break down. Cooking it at too high of a heat or not cooking it long enough is usually why a tri tip doesn’t turn out tender.

More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

• Sirloin tip roast in the slow cooker
• Crock pot cubed beef
• Slow cooker london broil
• Pulled pork in the crock pot
• Velveeta mac and cheese