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These marinated grilled steak tips are seared on the outside, yet tender and juicy on the inside. Prepare the meat on an outdoor grill or on an indoor grill pan for a quick and easy dinner recipe!
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Mouthwatering thick-cut grilled steak tips are truly a classic summer meal! Nothing makes my boys happier at this time of year than some smokey, charred red meat. Whether it’s burgers, New York Strip steaks, beef tenderloin, or these marinated sirloin steak tips on grill, one thing is for sure: all of the men in my house will devour their dinner!
What kind of meat is steak tips?
There’s no technical definition of “steak tips” according to the USDA glossary, so the meat can really be trimmings from any other cut of beef. Typically, steak tips come from two parts of the cow. One kind comes from tender, expensive cuts in the middle of the cow, such as the tenderloin. While these are a superior cut, they are not what you typically find labeled as “steak tips” in the grocery store.
More often, true steak tips come from various muscles in the sirloin and round and cost about $5 per pound. Most often, you’ll find this cut labeled as “sirloin steak tips” or “sirloin tips,” which is a single muscle that butchers call flap meat.
How to Tenderize Beef Tips
Even if you’re not using super-tender tenderloin tips, the classic sirloin tips can be a very tender, juicy cut of beef. With just a little help from a simple marinade, the less expensive cut can be transformed into a very desirable dish.
The Best Way to Cook Steak Tips
Once the meat is marinated, grilling is the best way to cook steak tips. Whether you’re using an indoor grill pan, a gas grill or a charcoal grill, the high heat gives the meat a nice sear on the outside, while locking in the juices and flavor on the inside.
Since it’s not a tough cut of meat (like a chuck roast or a brisket), you don’t need a low, slow cooking process. Instead, a quick char on the grill yields perfect steak tips every time!
Ingredients for Steak Tips on Grill
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for our favorite grilled steak tips recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Soy sauce: I use less-sodium soy sauce, but any variety will work. This gives the marinade a salty, umami flavor.
- Rice vinegar: a bright, acidic note that also tenderizes the meat.
- Dried ginger powder (or grated fresh ginger): for a bit of zesty flavor.
- Honey: for sweetness, and to encourage browning and char on the grill. Substitute with brown sugar if you prefer.
- Garlic powder and green onions: for savory flavor.
- Oil: helps to transfer marinade flavors to the meat. I prefer a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil. Olive oil will work, but its smoke point isn’t as high.
- Steak tips: we prefer the tender, more expensive steak tips that come from the tenderloin.
How to Grill Steak Tips
Hooray for grilling season! This simple, healthy, and flavorful dinner is ready in just a few simple steps. You’ll find the detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:
- Whisk together the marinade.
- Marinate the meat in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Place steak tips on grill for 4-5 minutes per side.
How Long to Grill Steak Tips
Total grilling time will depend on the size, shape and thickness of your steak tips, as well as the desired level of doneness. Here’s a handy chart that will help you determine the correct amount of time for your beef; however, keep in mind that a meat thermometer is always the most reliable way to know when the steak is ready.
- For medium-rare steak tips: about 4 minutes on each side, or an internal temperature of 130-135°F.
- For medium steak tips: about 5 minutes on each side, or an internal temperature of 135-145°F.
- For medium-well steak tips: about 6 minutes on each side, or an internal temperature of 145-155°F.
The internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise slightly as the meat rests when you take it off of the grill, so err on the side of caution and remove the meat as soon as it reaches the temperature range that you’re looking for.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile meat pairs nicely with just about any of your favorite starches and veggies. Here are a few easy side dishes that go well with grilled steak tips:
- Coleslaw or Vinegar Coleslaw
- Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette, House Salad with Candied Pecans, Mixed Greens with Dijon Vinaigrette, or Classic Caesar Salad
- Hoe Cakes
- Baked Potato Wedges, Twice Baked Potatoes, 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives, Skin On Mashed Red Potatoes, Baked Potatoes, or Easy Potato Salad
- Cast Iron Cornbread, Sour Cream Cornbread, Southern Cornbread, Pumpkin Cornbread, Cake Mix Cornbread, Skillet Cornbread, Sweet Cornbread, Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn, Corn Sticks, Honey Cornbread, Broccoli Cornbread, or Cornbread Muffins
- Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese, Duke’s Homemade Mac and Cheese, Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, No-Boil Overnight Mac and Cheese, Shells and Cheese, or Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, Southern Buttermilk Biscuits, Flaky Biscuits, Aunt Bee’s 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Cheese Biscuits, Easy Drop Biscuits, or Cheddar Biscuits with Chives and Bacon
- Rice Pilaf or Charleston Red Rice
- Pumpkin Bread or Pumpkin Muffins
- Corn Salad, Jiffy Corn Casserole, or Fried Corn
- 3-Ingredient Sour Cream Muffins
- Refrigerator Dill Pickles, Cucumber Salad with Vinegar, Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad, or Cucumber Dill Salad
- Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon or Southern-Style Green Beans
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Fried Apples or Baked Apple Slices
- Southern Succotash
- Southern Collard Greens
- Fried Okra
- Broccoli and Cheese
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon or Cowboy Baked Beans
- Okra and Tomatoes
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Cheese Grits
- Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onion, Braised Red Cabbage, or Roasted Cabbage
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Make ahead: You can prepare the marinade in advance and leave it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Marinating Time: Allow at least 30 minutes for the steak tips to marinate. If it’s more convenient, you can leave the steak tips in the marinade overnight.
- Leftover grilled steak tips will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Tuck the meat inside sandwiches the next day, or slice it and use it to top a steak salad!
- How to Freeze: Wrap the grilled meat tightly and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- How to Reheat: If reheating the cooked meat, you’ll want to be careful that you don’t cook it for too long and dry it out. To reheat the steak, place the grilled sirloin tips on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Warm in a 250°F oven just until the internal temperature of the meat reads 110°F. Total warming time will vary depending on the size, shape, and thickness of your steak.
Recipe Variations
- Rice vinegar is a vinegar made from fermented rice in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. It has a slightly sweet taste, which pairs really well with the soy sauce in this marinade. If you don’t have rice vinegar on hand, you can substitute with another vinegar, such as balsamic or apple cider.
- If you’re feeding a larger family, double the marinade ingredients and grill 2 pounds of steak tips instead of just 1 pound.
- I use less-sodium soy sauce, but you can substitute with regular soy sauce or even tamari or coconut aminos.
- For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to your marinade.
Tips for the Best STeak Tips on Grill
- Brush the grill grate with oil to prevent the meat from sticking.
- The total grilling time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your meat, and on the temperature of your grill. As a result, an instant-read thermometer is always the best way to know when your steak tips are perfectly cooked. See the chart above for suggested cooking time and temp.
- Taste and season the steak with kosher salt and ground black pepper after cooking. The marinade has quite a bit of salt, so you might not need any extra.
- Garnish with chopped fresh herbs, such as fresh parsley or chives, for a bright, colorful finishing touch.
- Nutrition information provided is merely an estimate, assuming about 1 tablespoon of marinade per serving. Sirloin tips are a fairly lean cut of beef. Each serving of these marinated grilled steak tips has 303 calories, 21 grams of fat, just 2 grams of carbohydrates and 22 grams of protein.
More Steak Recipes to Try
Marinated Flank Steak
2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
How to Cook Filet Mignon in a Cast Iron Skillet
31 minutes mins
Smothered Round Steak
3 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
Grilled Steak Tips
Ingredients
- 1 lb. steak tips
- 2 chopped green onions
FOR THE MARINADE:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (can substitute with balsamic vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon dried ginger powder (or 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup canola oil (or other neutral oil such as vegetable oil or avocado oil)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients until completely combined. Add the steak tips and green onions. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
- When ready to cook, allow the steak to sit on the counter and come to room temperature while you prepare the grill.
- Heat the grill over high heat. Remove steak tips from the marinade and discard the marinade.
- Brush the grates of the grill with oil (to prevent sticking) and place the steak tips directly on the grill. Grill for about 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare steak, 5 minutes for medium, and 6 minutes for medium-well. Total cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your steak. For medium-rare, you’re looking for an internal temperature of 130-135 degrees F; for medium steak a temperature of 135-145 degrees F; for medium-well steak a temperature of 145-155 degrees F.
Notes
- Rice vinegar is a vinegar made from fermented rice in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. It has a slightly sweet taste, which pairs really well with the soy sauce in this marinade. If you don’t have rice vinegar on hand, you can substitute with another vinegar, such as balsamic or apple cider.
- If you’re feeding a larger family, double the marinade ingredients and grill 2 pounds of steak tips instead of just 1 pound.
- I use less-sodium soy sauce, but you can substitute with regular soy sauce or even tamari or coconut aminos.
- Nutrition information provided is merely an estimate, assuming about 1 tablespoon of marinade per serving. Sirloin tips are a fairly lean cut of beef. Each serving of these marinated grilled steak tips has 303 calories, 21 grams of fat, just 2 grams of carbohydrates and 22 grams of protein.
Hi, great tips. I will definitley use these. I tried subscribing to your blog to get your future posts recieve to my email but it didn’t work. Could you please fix it for me. Thanks
Hi, Louis! Sure, I just added you to my mailing list, so definitely check your inbox to make sure that you received the confirmation email (it could have ended up in your junk mail or spam filter). Sorry that didn’t work for you!