This tri tip sandwich is a delicious option for a quick lunch or dinner. It’s a great way to use leftover tri tip but you may want to grill one just for this sandwich. The chipotle aioli gives the sandwich a spicy kick and perfectly complements the other ingredients.

Tri tip sandwich with chipotle aioli on a hoagie roll.

A tri tip is a perfect roast for a steak sandwich. It is a nice thick cut of beef that can be sliced thinly into tender, juicy strips of beef that will make several sandwiches.

An Epic Sandwich

This tri-tip sandwich is a hearty and filling meal. You will get enough beef from the tri tip to pile strips of beef a mile high. Grab a bun and load it up with all the fixings.

Ready to serve in just 20 minutes
The grilled onions and peppers taste amazing with the beef and make this sandwich a full meal.
The homemade chipotle aioli can be adjusted depending on how spicy you like your food
It’s perfect for picky eaters, as you can add or remove ingredients to fit their needs

Ingredients needed to make a tri tip sandwich with chipotle aioli.

Tri Tip Sandwich Ingredients

To make tri tip sandwiches, you will need the following ingredients:

For the chipotle aioli:

Mayonnaise
Garlic cloves
Chipotle peppers – choose to add as few or as many as you like
White vinegar
Honey
Onion powder
Cumin
Salt
Pepper

For the grilled onions and peppers:

Olive oil
Onions
Bell peppers

For assembling the sandwiches:

Large hoagie rolls
Monterey Jack cheese
Grilled Tri-Tip steak

Tri tip sandwich on a plate with potato chips and a glass of beer in the background.

How to Make a Tri Tip Sandwich

Cook the tri tip. Try this recipe for Santa Maria tri tip or this one for a slow cooker tri tip. You can also cook the tri tip in the sous vide.
Make the chipotle aioli
Grill the onions and peppers
Slice the cheese
Assemble the sandwich

You don’t have to use a tri tip for this sandwich. You can use any cut of beef really. Try it with our smoked London broil, slow cooker sirloin tip, or leftover pot roast.

A collage of six photos showing how to make a tri tip sandwich with grilled onions and chipotle aioli.

Top Tips for recipe success

To enjoy tender slices of meat, cut across the grain of your tri tip steak.
Add between one and three chipotle peppers to suit you and your family’s spice tolerance. Remember, you can always add in more later on, so start with just one.
Instead of using a broiler, you can toast your hoagie rolls by laying them flat on a grill.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tri tip steak?

Tri tip steak is the bottom tip of the sirloin and received its name from its triangular shape. It is packed with flavor, and it’s lower in fat than other cuts of beef, making it the perfect addition to a sandwich.

Can I cook the tri tip steak ahead of time?

To save you time on busy days, cook your tri tip steak up to two days in advance. While many people like a well-done steak, we recommend slightly undercooking it if you are preparing it in advance, as it may cook a little more when reheated.

To reheat your steak, put it in the oven for ten to fifteen minutes, and allow it to rest before slicing and adding it to your sandwich. You can also slice the steak and then grill the slices on a skillet.

Can I add anything else to my tri tip sandwiches?

Drizzle some garlic butter on the hoagie rolls before you toast them. You could also switch out the chipotle aioli for fresh horseradish aioli or even just a regular mayo.

A tri tip sandwich next to a jar of chipotle aioli.

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A cast iron skillet or another large saute pan to cook the onions and peppers.
A sharp knife to cut perfect strips of steak.

SOME OTHER RECIPES WE ARE SURE YOU WILL LOVE:

This hot meatloaf sandwich is the reason we make meatloaf. It is perfect for lunch or dinner.
This pulled pork sandwich is perfect for your next family gathering. Make the pulled pork in advance and set out all the fixings for everyone to assemble the sandwiches.
These grilled lamb sandwiches are a great way to add something a little different to our next cookout.

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Tri Tip Sandwich

This hearty sandwich is piled high with tender slices of tri tip steak, grilled onions and peppers, Gouda cheese, and spicy chipotle aioli.

5 from 10 votes

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Prep Time: 15

Total Time: 15

Servings: sandwiches

Calories: 1097kcal

Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

For the chipotle aioli

1 cup mayonnaise
3-4 garlic cloves minced
1 to 3 chipotle peppers depending on how hot you want it
2 teaspoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

For the grilled onions and peppers

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions sliced
2 bell peppers seeded and sliced

Assemble the sandwiches

4 large hoagie rolls
8 slices Monterey Jack cheese
1 grilled Tri-Tip steak

Instructions

For the chipotle aioli

Place the mayonnaise in a small mixing bowl.
Chop the chipotle peppers and garlic together until they are finely minced and add them to the mayonnaise.
Stir in the vinegar, molasses, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Set the aioli aside.

Grill the onions and peppers

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the onions and peppers and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown. Season with salt and pepper

Assemble the sandwiches

Toast the hoagie rolls under a broiler or lay them flat on a grill until lightly browned.
Slice the tri-tip steak into thin slices. Cut across the grain to get tender slices of meat.
Spread the chipotle aioli onto the toasted buns then pile the onion and pepper mixture on one side. Top the onions with two slices of cheese then a heap of sliced tri-tip.