How to Cook Beef Sirloin Tip Steaks for Maximum Tenderness and Flavor

Beef sirloin tip steaks can be a delicious and affordable cut of beef for weeknight dinners or backyard barbecues. However, they do require a bit of care when cooking to end up tender and juicy. Follow these tips and techniques for cooking sirloin tip steaks just right every time.

Selecting and Preparing Sirloin Tip Steaks

The first step is choosing high quality sirloin tip steaks at the store Here are some tips

Look for steaks that are 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Thinner cuts will overcook too quickly
Choose steaks that are bright red in color with good marbling. The marbling provides flavor and moisture.
Avoid steaks with dry or brown patches, which indicate they are past their prime.

Once home, pat the steaks dry with paper towels and allow them to come up to room temperature before cooking. Season them liberally with salt and pepper or a steak rub. You can also marinate them for added flavor and tenderness.

Some good marinades for sirloin tip steak include:

Soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, and ginger
Red wine, oregano, garlic, and pepper
Balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and rosemary

Marinate the steaks for 30 minutes up to overnight for best results.

Grilling Sirloin Tip Steaks

Grilling is a quick and flavorful way to cook sirloin tip steaks. Use these tips for grilling success:

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
Grill the steaks 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness, up to 7 minutes per side for well-done.
Use a meat thermometer to check temperature. 125°F is medium-rare and 160°F is medium.
Let the steaks rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Slice the steaks thinly across the grain to maximize tenderness.
Serve grilled sirloin steaks with chimichurri sauce, grilled veggies, baked potatoes, or a salad.

Pan Searing Sirloin Tip Steaks

Pan searing sirloin tip steaks on the stovetop is fast and easy. Follow these steps:

Pat the steaks dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet over high heat until very hot.
Add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
Carefully lay the steaks in the pan. Let cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a nice sear.
Flip the steaks and cook another 2-3 minutes for medium-rare.
Use tongs to hold the steaks up on their sides to brown the fat edges, about 30 seconds per side.
Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Broiling Sirloin Tip Steaks

For a quick and hands-off cooking method, broiling sirloin steaks is ideal. Here’s how:

Preheat your oven’s broiler on high and position a rack 4-6 inches from heat.
Place steaks on a broiler pan or rimmed baking sheet. Brush lightly with oil.
Broil the steaks for 5-7 minutes per side, until nicely browned.
Check temperature with a meat thermometer before removing from oven.
Tent the steaks loosely with foil and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Sous Vide Sirloin Tip Steaks

Cooking sirloin tip steaks sous vide results in incredibly tender, juicy meat.

Season steaks all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. Seal in bags.
Cook at 130°F for 1-4 hours depending on thickness.
Remove steaks from bags and pat dry. Sear quickly on hot grill or pan.
Slice thinly against the grain and serve. Delicious!

Oven Roasted Sirloin Tip Steak

Roasting in the oven is a hands-off way to cook sirloin tip steaks to juicy perfection:

Pat steaks dry and season all over with salt, pepper, and herbs.
Place on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet.
Roast at 250°F until steaks reach 125°F for medium-rare, about 40 minutes.
Remove from oven and tent loosely with foil for 10 minutes.
Increase oven temp to 500°F. Return steaks to oven for 2-3 minutes per side to crisp the outside.
Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Sirloin Tip Steaks with Garlic Herb Butter

Topping sirloin steaks with a garlic herb butter takes them to new levels of flavor.

Sauté 2 tbsp minced garlic and 2 tbsp fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in 1 stick melted butter.
Grill, pan sear, or broil steaks as desired until medium-rare.
Top each steak with a tablespoon of the garlic herb butter.
Tent loosely with foil and let rest 5 minutes to allow butter to melt into the meat.

Best Ways to Ensure Tender Sirloin Tip Steaks

Sirloin tip steaks come from a well-worked part of the cow, so they can easily turn out chewy and tough if not prepared carefully. Here are some of the best methods for delivering tender steaks every time:

Choose 1-1.5 inch thick steaks for more even cooking. Thin steaks overcook quickly.
Marinate steaks for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to help tenderize the meat.
Cook using slower, more gentle methods like oven roasting or sous vide rather than grilling over high heat.
Always let steaks rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Slice steaks very thinly across the grain. This breaks down the tough muscle fibers.
Don’t overcook! Cook steaks to no higher than medium or 130-135°F internal temp.

Delicious Beef Sirloin Tip Steak Recipes

Here are some flavorful recipes for preparing beef sirloin tip steaks deliciously:

Balsamic Sirloin Steak with Tomatoes and Arugula – an easy pan seared steak topped with a balsamic glaze, tomatoes, and arugula.
Sirloin Steak Tacos – sliced sirloin steak seasoned with Mexican spices and served in warm tortillas with all the fixings.
Steak and Asparagus Stir Fry – a quick weeknight meal with tender steak and crisp-tender asparagus.
Sirloin Steak Fajitas – classic fajitas made with flavorful sirloin steak, peppers, and onions.
Sirloin Steak with Chimichurri Sauce – bright, herby chimichurri sauce is the perfect partner for beefy sirloin steak.

With the right preparation and cooking methods, inexpensive sirloin tip steaks can become a delicious and tender weeknight dinner or backyard barbecue star. Use this guide for your next sirloin success!