I won't deny it, I love autumn. When Labor Day rolls around, I go through the necessary motions, pretending that I'll desperately miss the dog days of summer. Inside, I am busting out my Saturday Night Fever moves and doing a happy dance for the cool days and crisp air that are just around the corner. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the lazy mornings, the extra time with my boys and the long afternoons by the pool. Throwing a steak or fresh vegetables on the grill for a quick dinner isn't too shabby, either. However, I just can't deny that I covet the thought of pulling on a pair of jeans and a light sweater and kicking my feet through dry autumn leaves.
Labor Day weekend is one of the last times that we can really kick back in the backyard, without the obligation of soccer games and last-minute homework. The kids always enjoy a good steak, so we'll be pulling out one of our favorites...tri-tip. Grilled Tri-Tip Steak with Molasses Chili Marinade is one of our go-to summer grilling recipes, but we decided to play around with a different marinade and sauce this time.
The marinade is a simple combination of fresh thyme, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, agave nectar (or honey) and olive oil. The subtle sweetness of the agave nectar balances the acid of the vinegar while the fresh thyme adds a freshness reminiscent of the bounty of summer. A dollop of flavorful red pepper pesto makes this meal into something really special. Leftover pesto? Oh, don't fret. You'll be tempted to spread it on sandwiches (see Panini with Grilled Chicken & Summer Squash), pair it with scrambled eggs or wrap it in a corn tortilla with some grilled fish.
As we're sharing our last official summertime meal, we'll be reminiscing about our summertime adventures. Here are some of our favorite memories:
Running their first 5k race and plenty of soccer
Hangin' with Brooks (aka Recipe Boy), washing the car
Spending time with Grandma and Grandpa, and kayaking with their favorite uncle
Flying down the alpine coast with Dad and setting new family pogo-sticking records
Being silly with the Salt Lake REAL lion and chillin' by the pool
Celebrating Canada Day and chilling with friends
Spending time with Grandad and Nonna, and Mum and her girlfriends
The recipe:
The pesto:
Place roasted red bell peppers (see How: Roast a Bell Pepper) in the bowl of a food processor. Add slivered almonds, garlic, cilantro, Parmesan cheese, and lime juice. Pulse until combined.
While the food processor is running, slowly pour in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set the pesto aside.
The steak:
In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, red wine vinegar, thyme, agave nectar, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. While whisking, slowly pour in the olive oil.
Place the tri-tip steak in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the marinade, seal the bag and massage the meat to coat it with the marinade.
Refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to 12 hours. Remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to grilling to allow the meat to come to room temperature.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grill.
Place the steaks on the grill and cook until desired degree of doneness is reached, about 5-6 minutes per side (for rare), depending on the thickness of the steak. Remove steak from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Thinly slice the steak and serve it with the red pepper pesto.
Printable Recipe
Grilled Marinated Tri-Tip Steak Recipe with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto {Giveaway}
Ingredients
The Steak:
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- â…“ cup olive oil
- 2 lbs tri-tip steak
The pesto:
- 2 roasted red peppers chopped (see How to: Roast a Bell Pepper)
- 3 tablespoons slivered almonds toasted
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- â…“ cup chopped cilantro
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ teaspoons freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
The Steak:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, red wine vinegar, thyme, agave nectar, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. While whisking, slowly pour in the olive oil.
- Place the tri-tip steak in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the marinade, seal the bag and massage the meat to coat it with the marinade.
- Refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to 12 hours.
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to grilling to allow the meat to come to room temperature.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grill.
- Place the steaks on the grill and cook until desired degree of doneness is reached, about 5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the steak. Remove steak from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
The Pesto:
- Place roasted red bell peppers in the bowl of a food processor. Add slivered almonds, garlic, cilantro, Parmesan cheese, and lime juice. Pulse until combined.
- While the food processor is running, slowly pour in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set the pesto aside.
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bush's Beans. In addition, they provided the items for the giveaway. All opinions are my own. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Athena R
I love a good old ribeye with just salt and pepper. I'd pair it with the bourbon and brown sugar beans.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I love tri tip and that pesto looks incredible!
kesha
I tweeted this giveaway! @keshakeke
kesha
I shared this giveaway on facebook http://www.facebook.com/cookincanuck?ref=ts#!/kesha.gooding/posts/348976108516903
Wenderly
Looks so lovely Dara! I especially loved seeing all of your fun summer photos!!
kesha
I pinned this post! http://pinterest.com/pin/118993615125338808/
kesha
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kesha
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kesha
My favorite grilling recipe is Grilled Chicken kabobs with green pepper, onions and pineapple. I like to marinate my chicken in a teriyaki marinade over night. I love to serve this with Bush's Bourbon and Brown Sugar Baked Beans. So yummy!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily
Mmmm, that roasted pepper pesto sounds wonderful. Meat is so hard to photograph but you make it look gorgeous.