Quick Steps Overview: Sirloin Tip Steak with Balsamic Marinade
- Gather all the ingredients
- Prepare the balsamic marinade
- Coat the steak and cover
- Preheat the grill
- Place the steak on the grill and cook
- Check doneness
- Rest the meat
- Cut against the grain and serve
Do you want to indulge in a delicious steak meal without burning a hole in your pocket? You need to look past the filet mignon and porterhouses and look for a nice beef sirloin tip steak. Not to be confused with the sirloin steaks, which are tender cuts taken from the loin primal, the beef sirloin tip comes from the round, the largest primal on the hindquarter of a beef. If you are new to cooking steak, let me tell you a little more about this cut of steak.
1. What Is A Sirloin Tip Steak?
This is a boneless cut of meat with lots of lean muscle and very little waste. Located in the front of the femur, these steaks are made up of four muscles (the quadriceps), and they are recognizable by a horseshoe-shaped line of connective tissue that makes a prominent “U” in the middle of each steak.
Top Sirloin Steak VS Sirloin Tip Steak:
Even though they share a name, top beef sirloin steak and beef sirloin tip steak are 2 very different cuts. They come from two anatomically different parts of the animal. One is from a muscle that is heavily used for support movement, and one does less work.
Top Sirloin Steak: This is cut from the sirloin primal cut. It is tender, lean, and relatively expensive. It is also known as cap off or simple sirloin steak.
Sirloin Tip Steak: This is cut from the round primal cut. The meat is tough, lean, and inexpensive. It is also known as round tip steak, tip steak, or knuckle steak.
To learn more about different cuts of steak and how to tell them apart, check out this blog about 16 Types of Steak Everyone Should Know.
2. Recipe: Sirloin Tip Steak with Balsamic Marinade
Sirloin Tip Steak with Balsamic Marinade |
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Prep Time 10 mins |
Cook Time 10 mins |
Marinating Time 4 hours |
Total 4 hours 20 mins |
Servings 4 |
Ingredients List |
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Steak |
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Marinade Ingredients |
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Cooking Instructions |
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Gather all the ingredients |
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Prepare the balsamic marinade |
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Coat the steak and cover |
Note: Let the steak sit in the marinade at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Remove the steak from the marinade and wipe off the excess liquid with paper towels. This will help sear it better. |
Preheat the grill |
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Place the steak on the grill, cook |
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Check doneness |
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Rest the meat |
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Cut against the grain and serve |
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3. Tips For Making Tender Sirloin Tip Steak
Here are some things to keep in mind when cooking beef Sirloin Tip Steak:
- Marinating the steak before cooking will not only add flavor to the meat but the balsamic vinegar and soy sauce will also tenderize it.
- Brief high-temperature cooking will help keep the steak tender on the inside and browned nicely on the outside.
- For a lean cut like beef sirloin tip steak, it is best to cook it rare to medium-rare for the most tender texture.
- Resting the steak before serving will allow the juices to redistribute within the meat before serving, making it more tender.
- Thinly slice the meat against the grain to make it less chewy.
- Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes to the desired doneness.
4. What To Serve With Sirloin Tip Steak
You can get creative with what you choose to serve with your steak, here are some of my favorite options (add garlic butter or shallot butter for extra decadence):
- Cheesy garlic dinner rolls
- Baked potato or sweet potato wedges
- Garlic mashed potatoes with sour cream
- Chickpea salad with a Mediterranean touch
- Roasted garlic parmesan baby potatoes
- Sauteed asparagus or green beans
- Mac and cheese with white cheddar
- Sauteed garlic mushrooms
- Classic coleslaw
- Oven-roasted corn on the cob
- Air fryer fresh fries
- Mushroom gravy
- Roasted spring vegetables
5. Tools You Will Need
1. 4-Piece Steak Knife Set- Shadow Black Series | Dalstrong
Get ready to take your meal time to a whole new level. These razor-sharp steak knives will glide through your sirloin tip steak like butter. This set of knives is perfect for home cooks that prepare meats regularly and professional chefs looking for an alternative utility knife.
Pros:
- The precision-forged blade of this knife is wear-resistant with an edge that is painstakingly hand sharpened to 16-18 degrees per side.
- The black, non-reflective titanium-nitride coating adds corrosion resistance, toughens the blade, and enhances its non-stick properties.
- The tapered design of the blade provides hardness and flexibility.
Cons:
- The look and design of this set of steak knives might be too bold for those who like to keep it simple.
- If you have a big family or are someone who hosts people often, you might want to go for a bigger set of knives.
2. 8-Piece Steak Knife Set with Storage Block- Gladiator Series | Dalstrong
Peak performance has never looked so good at this price! Here’s a set of steak knives that are incredibly sharp and made of ThyssenKrupp high-carbon German steel. Get clean, straight cuts of meat with these 5” blades.
Pros:
- The set comes with an oak convertible storage block and stand that makes it very easy to store these knives once you’re done using them.
- The blade of these knives are highly impervious to heat, cold, and moisture.
- The knives are very easy to maintain and simple to clean after use.
Cons:
- The look and style of these knives might be too basic for someone who has a thing for bold designs.
- This set might be tricky to store in a compact kitchen.
3. Lionswood- Teak Cutting Board | Dalstrong
Featuring sustainably sourced, tropical Teak wood, and paired handsomely with satin-finished steek handles, this cutting board functions as your all-purpose chopping, slicing, and serving board. This cutting board also comes in handy when you need to slice up the steak or let it rest after being cooked.
Pros:
- The teak wood used to make this cutting board is resistant to water, bacteria, and staining.
- The end-grain fabrication of the board helps prevent gouging in the board by allowing the wood fibers to spring back easily.
- The board doubles as a serving board, ideal for presenting your finest roasts, charcuterie, bread, cheeses, and more.
Cons:
- This knife comes with a heavy price tag which might not make this everyone’s first preference, especially if you don’t cook that often.
- Storing this cutting board after use can be a challenge if you have a compact kitchen.
4. Professional Chef’s Kitchen Apron- Sous Team 6” | Dalstrong
This heavy-duty apron is designed with premium, rugged materials and is built to outlast you and your sous-team in the heat of the kitchen. The super durable waxed canvas apron comes with a water repellent coating and is a functional essential for any culinary space.
Pros:
- The apron features 2 chest pockets for easy, convenient storage, plus 2 generously sized outer front pockets, a kangaroo pocket, and towel and tong loops.
- The apron comes with an adjustable leather cross-back harness that is built to evenly distribute weight evenly to maximize comfort and prevent neck strain.
- The apron also comes with one hidden interior pocket, ideal for quick access to your personal belongings, keeping them safe from the kitchen heat.
Cons:
- This apron comes with a heavy price tag, so you should only invest in one if you are someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen.
- If you are looking for an apron that is made of more durable materials or has more storage space, you can also take a look at this apron.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
What is sirloin tip steak good for?
Whether grilled or pan-fried on a stove, it is great for a steak salad, tacos, fajitas, and more. Sirloin tip steak is lean and nutritious and when prepared properly, it can be nearly as tender as some prime cuts at a fraction of that cost.
How do I cook sirloin tip steak?
Just heat up some oil in a heavy pan and sear your steak tips for 2-3 minutes a side, until they reach an internal temperature of 130 degrees F.
Is a sirloin tip steak tough?
Sirloin tip is less tender than top sirloin but is the most tender of the round cuts. Because it is low in fat, like a round steak, I suggest you marinate it for 2-4 hours before cooking.