Santa Maria Tri-Tip BBQ
Santa Maria Tri-Tip BBQ is a signature dish from California's Central Coast, featuring a triangular cut of beef (tri-tip) seasoned with a simple dry rub of salt, pepper, and garlic, then grilled over red oak wood. It's traditionally served with pinquito beans, a fresh salsa, and garlic bread, embodying the region's ranching and barbecue heritage.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein and fat, with minimal carbohydrates. A typical serving provides a substantial amount of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, particularly B12, with a calorie ballpark of around 350-450 kcal for a 4-ounce serving of meat alone.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbs | 1 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Zinc | 6.8 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.4 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 9.5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Selenium | 35 mcg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.6 mg |
Per 4 oz (113 g) cooked tri-tip beef · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's the centerpiece of the Santa Maria Style BBQ, a tradition dating back to the mid-19th century cattle ranches. Nutritionally, the tri-tip cut is a relatively lean and flavorful part of the sirloin, making it a popular choice for grilling.
