Santa Maria-style BBQ

Santa Maria-style BBQ is a regional American barbecue tradition from California's Central Coast, featuring tri-tip beef seasoned with a simple salt, pepper, and garlic rub, then grilled over red oak wood. It is traditionally served with pinquito beans, a fresh salsa, garlic bread, and a green salad, making it a complete and flavorful meal.

🍳 View the full Santa Maria-style BBQ recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

As a meat-centric dish, it is high in protein and fat, with minimal carbohydrates unless served with sides like beans or bread. A typical serving of tri-tip provides a good source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, with a rough calorie range of 400-600 calories depending on the cut size and accompaniments.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	650 kcal
Protein	42 g
Carbs	45 g
Fat	32 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	6 g
Sodium	1200 mg
Potassium	600 mg
Iron	5 mg
Zinc	8 mg
Phosphorus	350 mg
Vitamin B6	0.8 mg
Vitamin B12	3.5 mcg
Niacin (B3)	12 mg
Selenium	45 mcg

Per 1 sandwich (approx. 340 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

What makes it unique is its deep roots in the local ranching and rodeo culture of Santa Maria, where it originated as a community feast. The use of native red oak for grilling imparts a distinct, slightly sweet smokiness that defines its authentic flavor profile.