Tri-Tip Tacos with Salsa Verde
Tri-tip tacos with salsa verde are a flavorful fusion dish featuring sliced, grilled tri-tip beef served in warm corn or flour tortillas and topped with a vibrant, tangy green salsa. The tri-tip, a triangular cut from the bottom sirloin, is marinated and grilled to a smoky perfection, while the salsa verde—typically made from tomatillos, green chiles, cilantro, and lime—adds a bright, acidic contrast. This dish has roots in California's Santa Maria-style barbecue, blending Mexican taco traditions with American grilling techniques.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein from the beef and provides a good balance of fats and carbohydrates from the tortillas and salsa. Key nutrients include iron, zinc, and B vitamins from the meat, along with vitamin C and potassium from the tomatillo-based salsa. A typical serving contains roughly 400-500 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Iron | 4.2 mg |
| Zinc | 7.5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.8 mcg |
| Potassium | 520 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Phosphorus | 310 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 9 mg |
| Selenium | 32 mcg |
Per 2 tacos (about 250 g total) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it represents a delicious crossroads of Mexican and American culinary traditions, particularly popular in California. Nutritionally, the tomatillos in salsa verde are a great source of antioxidants and are lower in calories and sugar compared to many tomato-based salsas.
