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Upgrade Your Sandwich Game with These 50 Tri Tip Toppings

Do you want to upgrade your sandwich game?

Look no further!

Today, I’m sharing 50 of the most epic tri tip toppings that are sure to make your sandwiches stand out from the crowd.

From classic combinations like cheese and onions to more creative options like creamy pesto sauce, there is something for every taste.

So if you’re looking for some inspiration on tri-tip toppings, then you’ve come to the right place.

Get ready to make some truly delicious sandwiches!

Tri Tip Sandwich

The 50 Best Tri-Tip Toppings

Tri tip is a delicious cut of beef that can be cooked in many different ways.

Toppings are an important part of making the perfect tri-tip, so here are fifty ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Classic Toppings

Tri-Tip Sandwiches with tomatoes
  • Lettuce: To add a pleasing crunch and some lightness to your tri-tip, put lettuce on top. Whether you prefer Iceberg or Romaine lettuce, it is bound to make for the perfect addition.
  • Tomato: Nothing makes a tri-tip as juicy and flavorful as adding tomato slices! Whether you choose from cherry tomatoes or more traditional ones, adding fresh slices of tomato will enhance the flavor of your sandwich.
  • Onion: Raw onions provide an acidic bite that pairs nicely with grilled meats like tri-tip. Slice thinly and layer the onion onto your sandwich for maximum punch!
  • Pickles: Pickles such as dill, cucumbers, and gherkins nicely complement the smoky flavor of tri-tip. A few slices on top will add a satisfying crunch with every bite!
  • Mustard: Mustard is a popular condiment to put on tri-tip. Mix your favorite type (Dijon, yellow mustard) with oil and herbs for an unmatched combination that packs a punch.
  • Mayonnaise: Incredible creamy mayonnaise has the perfect spreadable texture to give your sandwich the extra oomph it needs. If you’re looking for something different, try adding caramelized onions or even garlic aioli!

Cheesy Toppings

tri tip sandwich with cheddar
  • Cheddar Cheese: Add a classic flavor combo to your tri-tip by shredding or crumbling some cheddar over it. This mild cheese will add just the right amount of tang to your meal!
  • Pepper Jack Cheese: If you’re looking for something with a bit more spice, opt for pepper jack cheese. It has just enough kick to shake things up and still offers an indulgent creamy texture.
  • Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese is perfect for adding a nutty flavor without overpowering the other toppings on your tri-tip. Plus, its slightly sweet taste works great with succulent meats like this one!
  • Blue Cheese: For so bold of a flavor, blue cheese surprisingly pairs really well with tri-tip. While it may not be everyone’s favorite topping Combining it with some mustard can help balance out its sharpness and add yet another layer of richness to the dish!
  • Brie Cheese: Brie brings an unmistakable ooey gooey quality that everyone loves. It also helps round out flavors like herbs, oils, and fruits that make up the perfect accompaniment for this mouthwatering steak!

Spicy Toppings

  • Jalapenos – Sliced jalapenos are a great way to give your tri-tip an added kick. They’re filled with flavor and offer just the right amount of heat.
  • Sriracha – For those who love spicy food, sriracha is always a must. It brings a wonderful blend of sweet, salty and chili pepper flavors that will liven up any dish!
  • Hot Sauce – Choose from different types of hot sauce to find one that has the perfect level of heat for you! Hot sauces offer deep, smoky tones as well as extra spice.
  • Chili Flakes – Add some chili flakes on top for an even more fiery taste experience. The flakes provide amazing visual appeal in addition to their zesty flavor profile.
  • Spicy Mayo – Enhancing the creaminess with a splash of spiciness can be achieved by adding spicy mayo (combine mayonnaise and sriracha) or wasabi-infused mayo to your Tri-tip sandwich before finishing it off with sliced jalapeños!

Savory Toppings

Tri-Tip Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions
  • Bacon – Add a smoky crunch to your tri-tip with some thick-cut bacon. Fry up the bacon until it’s crisp and crumbly, then top your steak with it for an indulgent flavor profile.
  • Avocado – The creamy texture of avocado is a great contrast to that of seared beef, plus you get added nutrients that make this topping a must-try! Mash up the avocado into a salsa-like consistency or just slice it and lay it on top of the meat for an effortless presentation.
  • Caramelized onions – This sweet topping offsets faint bitterness in the ingredients and takes any tri-tip from ordinary to sophisticated in minutes. Cook onions slowly over low heat so they become sweet and almost caramelized before adding them as toppings for an elevated layer of flavor.
  • Roasted red peppers – Charring brings out extra sweetness in roasted red peppers, making them even tastier than regular bell pepper slices when used as toppings on tri-tip steak sandwiches or wraps! They are also packed with antioxidants that help support overall health concerns such as heart disease prevention, cancer risk management, arthritis protection, and much more!
  • Sauteed mushrooms – Adding sautéed mushrooms will give your tri-tip dish oomph by adding texture and earthy flavor notes that everyone can enjoy! Simply pan-fry cremini mushrooms together in butter or olive oil before sprinkling fresh herbs such as sage or thyme into the mix for even more depthful taste sensations.

Tangy Toppings

tri tip sandwich with Coleslaw
  • Coleslaw: This classic topping is the perfect way to add some crunch and color to your tri-tip. Shredded cabbage, carrots, and onion are combined with a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing for a delicious addition that’s both sweet and tangy.
  • BBQ sauce: Give your tri-tip an extra kick of smoky flavor by adding a generous amount of BBQ sauce! Go for homemade recipes or store-bought sauces (just make sure it doesn’t contain any hidden sugars).
  • Vinegar-based slaw: For those who love their vinegar on the tart side, this slaw offers just that! Combining white wine vinegar, parsley, garlic oil, Sriracha sauce and olive oil results in a bracingly fresh accompaniment to grilled tri tip that will really awaken your taste buds.
  • Horseradish sauce: Add a zesty horseradish mayo on top of your piping hot slice of tri tip for an instant perk me up! Mix together freshly grated horseradish root with Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar and Dijon mustard – all you have to do then is spread generously over meat before serving!
  • Lemon Aioli: Bring out the bright citrus notes in succulent pieces of Tri Tip with lemon aioli. Blend together the egg yolk with garlic paste, lemon juice and seasonings until completely smooth – dollop onto slices when ready or use as marinade overnight before cooking food through grilling OR smoking method.

Sweet Toppings

Mango Chutney
  • Pineapple: Grilled chunks of pineapple topped over the tri-tip will give it a sweet and sour flavor.
  • Mango Chutney: A sweet and spicy chutney that adds an aromatic, tropical twist to your dish.
  • Caramelized Apples: Enjoy this classic duo with wedges of apples cooked in butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for an extra flavorful topping.
  • Cranberry Sauce: Give your tri tip some oomph by serving tart cranberry sauce as a dip or glaze.
  • Sweet Honey Mustard: The perfect hybrid between sweet and savory! Pairs nicely with the saltiness of the meat.

International Toppings

Grilled Tri-Tip Sandwich
  • Guacamole: Rich and creamy, guacamole is a great topping for tri-tip. The coolness of the avocado helps to tone down the spiciness of any marinade or rubs used for grilling.
  • Pico de gallo: This classic Mexican salsa consists of diced tomatoes, chiles, onions, and cilantro – all of which are great with grilled meats like tri-tip.
  • Hummus: A mix of chickpea puree, garlic, and lemon juice gives the hummus a unique flavor that pairs well with the charred smokiness from the grill.
  • Tzatziki: Not just delicious on gyros! Greek yogurt-based tzatziki is refreshingly tangy and pairs well with sliced steak or right off the grill.
  • Chimichurri sauce: A bright mix of herbs and flavorful oil makes chimichurri one versatile condiment you can use on pretty much anything grilled!

Unexpected Toppings

Fried egg
  • Fried Egg – Add a savory and indulgent layer of flavor to your tri-tip with a fried egg. Top it off with some salt, pepper, and herbs for the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
  • Onion Rings – Spice up your tri-tip by adding crunchy onion rings to the mix! They are sure to add an exciting kick that will have everyone coming back for more.
  • French Fries – Who doesn’t love fries? Matchstick or crinkle-cut, french fries can be piled onto your tri-tip for added texture and flavor. Sprinkle some salt over them for even more deliciousness!
  • Mac & Cheese – The ultimate comfort food – macaroni & cheese goes great with a juicy steak too! With creamy melty cheese coating soft macaroni noodles, this topping will definitely be enjoyed by all.
  • Pulled Pork – Pulled pork gives any sandwich extra heft and makes it just that much better. Assemble pulled pork around your tri-tip steak and indulge in a next-level experience.

Vegetarian Toppings

Grilled Tri Tip with Roasted Peppers and Onions Sandwich
  • Roasted Eggplant: Slice eggplants into thick slices and brush with olive oil before roasting in a preheated oven for about thirty minutes. This will give the eggplant a smoky, charred flavor that pairs perfectly with tri-tip.
  • Grilled Zucchini: Cut zucchini lengthwise into thin strips and grill over a hot barbecue until nicely charred. The charring process gives the zucchini an incredible taste that is both savory and sweet!
  • Roasted Red Peppers: Cut red peppers into thin slices, place them on a baking tray, drizzle some olive oil over them, then roast in an oven preheated to 400°F for twelve to fifteen minutes. After cooling slightly, toss the pieces of pepper together with some diced vinaigrette dressing—yum!
  • Marinated Artichoke Hearts: Marinate artichoke hearts overnight with garlic and extra virgin olive oil before grilling lightly on your stovetop or outdoor grill. This adds an incredible depth of flavor to your tri-tip tacos or sliders!

Plant-Based Toppings

Grilled portobello mushrooms

If you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan options to add to your tri-tip sandwich, try these plant-based toppings:

  • Grilled portobello mushrooms: These meaty mushrooms make a great stand-in for beef and add a rich, savory flavor to your sandwich.
  • Roasted sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a healthy and filling choice for a sandwich topping, and their sweetness pairs well with the smoky flavor of tri tip.
  • Marinated tofu: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavors, from sweet and spicy to tangy and savory, to add extra depth of flavor to your sandwich.
Tri Tip sandwich with cheddar

Upgrade Your Sandwich Game with These 50 Tri Tip Toppings

If you're looking for a way to upgrade your sandwich game, then this article is for you! I'm revealing 50 of the tastiest tri tip toppings that will take your sandwiches from average to amazing. From classic favorites like cheese and bacon to more inventive options like pickles and jalapenos, I'm sure you'll find something here that will make your sandwich stand out.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Sandwich, Toppings
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 344 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • Onion
  • Pickles
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Pepper Jack Cheese
  • Swiss Cheese
  • Blue Cheese
  • Brie Cheese
  • Jalapenos
  • Sriracha
  • Hot Sauce
  • Chili Flakes
  • Spicy Mayo
  • Bacon
  • Avocado
  • Caramelized onions
  • Roasted red peppers
  • Sauteed mushrooms
  • Coleslaw
  • BBQ sauce
  • Vinegar-based slaw
  • Horseradish sauce
  • Lemon Aioli
  • Pineapple
  • Mango Chutney
  • Caramelized Apples
  • Cranberry Sauce
  • Sweet Honey Mustard
  • Guacamole
  • Pico de gallo
  • Hummus
  • Tzatziki
  • Chimichurri sauce
  • Fried Egg
  • Onion Rings
  • French Fries
  • Mac & Cheese
  • Pulled Pork
  • Roasted Eggplant
  • Grilled Zucchini
  • Roasted Red Peppers
  • Marinated Artichoke Hearts
  • Grilled portobello mushrooms
  • Roasted sweet potatoes
  • Marinated tofu

Instructions
 

  • Select your favorite sandwich toppings from this article.
  • Prepare the toppings according to your preference.
  • Prep a tri tip sandwich in 30 minutes or less.
jenny happy muncher
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.