What to Serve with Smoked Tri Tip? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Smoked tri tip is the star of any barbecue bash!

This cut of beef, known for its rich flavor and tender texture, holds a special place at gatherings big and small.

However, even the best tri tip can’t stand alone – it craves the perfect sidekick.

Finding the right accompaniment can turn a great meal into an unforgettable feast.

In this guide, we’re dishing out seven show-stopping side dishes that will elevate your smoked tri tip to new heights.

Ready to transform your meal from good to great? Keep reading to find your tri tip’s best match!

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Smoked Tri Tip?

The smoked tri tip is so tasty that you can eat it alone – obviously, not in massive quantities, or it may feel nauseous.

It feels like it melts inside your mouth.

The side dish will add to its flavor and aroma, but without overwhelming them.

At the same time, a side dish has the purpose to make it more enjoyable.

Eating too much plain meat is disgusting – everything changes with a side.

Moreover, if you are expecting some guests, a plain piece of meat is not enough to impress them, so you need to go a bit further.

What to Serve with Smoked Tri Tip? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Here are a few good options when not sure what to mix your smoked tri tip with.

1 – Garlicky Mushrooms

Nothing complements a meat dish better than mushrooms.

Throw in some garlic, and you have a winning recipe.

The recipe is fairly simple to make.

Get some mushrooms, wash them and chop them.

You can also slice them – whatever you want.

Cook them in a pan for a few minutes, along with some crushed garlic.

Let them cool and make sure they are not too oily when served.

2 – Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Forget about the classic fries covered in salt and stick to something healthier – as well as a bit intriguing when mixed with smoked tri tip.

Sweet potato fries are easy to prepare and will not require too much work.

Cut them in long chips and bake them until they get a golden crust.

Add a bit of salt once they are done, so they can get a bit crispy.

As for seasoning, smoked paprika is classic and works well.

You can use whatever you like, though.

A dip for fries will also help – a matter of personal preferences only.

3 – Creamy Green Beans

Keep things healthy and complement smoked meat with some greens – you can never go wrong with this mix.

Wash and slice some mushrooms, then cook them in a pan along with the green beans.

Start with the mushrooms alone, as they take a bit longer to cook.

Use a tiny amount of oil and some crushed garlic.

Mix everything up and top up with salt.

While cooking, add a few spoons of sour cream to make the dish creamy.

Do not use too much cream, though – you want a thin layer over each piece in the mix, not more.

4 – Avocado Beet Salad

Simple and healthy – you just cannot go wrong with this salad.

It is tasty, refreshing, and works well with the smoked tri tip.

You need a few beets, an avocado, some mixed green lettuces, and a few chopped pistachios.

Cook the beets before cutting them and arranging everything in a plate.

A citrus vinaigrette works wonders to top everything up.

The final result should look like a basic salad – nothing too fancy, but actually simplistic and modern.

Everything changes when you mix all these things up in a bite – an explosion of flavors and aromas in your mouth.

5 – Grilled Corn on the Cob

This is such a simple recipe, but extremely efficient. Everyone loves corn on the cob.

Cooking it is fairly simple too and does not require too much work.

You can boil everything and focus on something else meanwhile.

You can also save a bit of time and prepare the corn on the cob in your microwave.

Once cooked, put a bit of salt in your palm and run each cob through it.

Grill all the corn on the cob for less than a minute, just to give it a smoky flavor and add some grill lines on it.

6 – Peach and Cheese Salad

This salad may seem a little unusual, but it works well with various meat-based dishes, and the smoked tri tip makes no exception.

It takes about 10 minutes to prepare and requires sliced red onions, some pistachios, a few peaches, mixed greens, goat cheese, chopped tomatoes, and chopped fresh basil.

When it comes to toppings and dressings, mix in some lemon juice, honey, white wine vinegar, and olive oil.

Mix everything together and arrange items in a nice colorful manner on a plate – your guests will love the outcome.

7 – Cheesy French Fries

The smoked tri tip may seem a bit sophisticated – probably the best cut you can get.

You may want your side dish to follow the same rules.

This is not a general rule, though.

Mix your tri tip with something basic that no one can refuse – the classic French fries.

They are basic and old school, but no one will care. People love them.

Add a bit of crushed garlic when cooking and grate some mozzarella on top.

Add condiments and spices – if any – just before the fries are done.

They make them a bit crispier.

Conclusion

In the end, there is not much to think about when not sure what to serve with smoked tri tip.

You do have a bunch of options – what works with steak is very likely to work with tri tip as well.

Obviously, this cut is a bit more sophisticated, meaning you can go the extra mile and cope up with something special.

But at the same time, you can also keep things simple – after all, you can never go wrong with French fries or mashed potatoes.