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    Home ~ Recipes ~ Small Slow Cooker Recipes

    3-Quart Slow Cooker Tri-Tip Roast Recipe for Two

    LAST UPDATED: Aug 22, 2021 · PUBLISHED: Aug 22, 2021 · BY: Sydney · Leave a Comment

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    My easy Tri-Tip in a crockpot or slow cooker is perfect for two and a deliciously lazy Sunday dinner for two. It only takes a few minutes to prepare the ingredients so you can set it and forget it until mealtime. Depending on your appetite, you can have enough leftovers for cold Tri-Tip sandwiches for lunch the next day, yum!

    Looking for more slow cooker recipe ideas? Check out more great recipes for a small slow cooker.

    small tri tip roast and baby potatoes on round white plate. this Recipe
    classic fork-tender tri-tip roast made easy in the slow cooker

    For more small-batch comfort food recipes try my turkey breast and ham steak recipes

    Table of Contents
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Recipe Directions
    • Tools Used
    • Storage
    • Recipe Ideas to Serve with Tri-Tip Roast
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Slow Cooker Food safety

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    trip tip, potatoes, onion, steak sauce, seasoning and beef broth ingredients measured out on a marble board to make a one pound tri tip in a 3 quart slow cooker.
    simple ingredients needed to make a one-pound slow cooker tri-tip roast recipe.
    • One pound Tri-Tip roast: Tri-Tip is a wonderful cut of beef to cook slow and low. For the best flavor choose a cut with some nice marbling running through it. I buy packaged one-pound Tri-Tip from Ralph's grocery, but if you can't find it in your area, ask the meat counter if they can cut one for you. You can also buy a larger tri-tip roast and cut it in half, freezing the other half for cooking later.
    • Salt and Pepper seasoning: A mix of ground pepper and salt is a simple rub to bring out the flavor. You can add garlic powder or other dried seasonings to your personal taste.
    • Beef Broth: I love using "Better Than Bouillon" beef base for the broth.
    • Steak sauce: I've used A-1 steak sauce forever. You can also substitute Worcestershire sauce and add it to the beef broth.
    • Onion: Use yellow, white, or brown onions.
    • Potatoes: Baby red potatoes, fingerling, or any other potato works. If you use larger potatoes slice them into smaller pieces so they cook properly.

    Optional ingredients:

    • Add 2 or 3 ounces of dry red wine to the slow cooker.
    • Chop of fresh garlic added on top of the Tri-Tip.
    • Add chopped carrots for a true one-pot meal.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Recipe Directions

    Season both sides of the Tri-Tip roast with salt and pepper.

    seasoned one pound tri tip

    Rub the steal sauce onto the seasoned trip tip roast.

    seasoned tri tip rubbed with steak sauce.
    rubbing the beef tri tip with steak sauce adds an extra depth of flavor

    Place the onion in a 3-quart slow cooker. Place the seasoned tri-tip on top of the onions.

    one pound tri tip over onions in slow cooker.

    Pour the beef broth into the slow cooker, avoiding washing away the seasoning on top of the tri-tip roast. Add the baby red potatoes.

    one pound tri tip cooking in slow cooker covered in beef broth and baby red potatoes.

    Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Use a meat thermometer to check that the tri-tip reaches a minimum temperature of 165 °F.

    3 quart slow cooker on low setting.

    For slideshow directions visit my web story for this slow cooker tri-tip recipe.

    If you enjoy this roast recipe you might also like my slow cooker beef stew for two.

    Tools Used

    • 3-quart slow cooker is the perfect size for 1 or 2 people.
    • Tongs make flipping and transferring meat easy.
    • The Duralex Bowls are simply the best.
    • If you only have one Measuring Cup it should be a 2 cup version.

    Storage

    Store leftovers in a covered container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To freeze the roast, wrap tightly in saran wrap and freeze for up to two months.

    .

    Should You brown or sear the meat first?

    You don't need to brown the roast before cooking in a slow cooker. Because the meat is not fully submerged it will still brown in the slow cooker. I didn’t brown the roast for this recipe and you can see that it still browned just fine. This being said, searing the roast before cooking does help to enhance the flavor. If you have time I recommend browning first.

    Can I use a different cut of beef?

    A good substitute is a Sirloin, however sirloin is a leaner cut of beef and would do well with a little extra seasoning.

    Recipe Ideas to Serve with Tri-Tip Roast

    • Easy Paprika Roasted Carrots Recipe For One
    • Crispy Oven-Baked Onion Rings for One
    • Oven Roasted Grape Tomatoes
    • Small Batch Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I would love it if you left a comment or review! Be sure to sign up for the email list, and follow "A Weekend Cook" on Pinterest and my Facebook page.

    📖 Recipe

    tri tip roast on round plate/

    Slow Cooker Tri-Tip for Two

    A tender trip tip roast perfect for two. This small-batch roast cooks up beautifully in a 3-quart slow cooker.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 834kcal
    Author:Sydney Dawes

    Ingredients

    • ½ onion chopped coarsely
    • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon A-1 sauce
    • 1 ½ cups beef broth
    • 10-12 baby red potatoes

    Instructions

    • Season both sides of the tri-tip with salt and pepper.
    • Rub the A-1 sauce onto the seasoned trip tip roast.
    • Place the onion in a 3-quart slow cooker.
    • Place the seasoned tri-tip on top of the onions.
    • Pour the beef broth over the tri-tip.
    • Top with the baby red potatoes.
    • Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

    Notes

    • If adding red wine, pour over trip-tip before adding the beef broth.
    • Chopped garlic cloves can be added with the potatoes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/4 pound | Calories: 834kcal | Carbohydrates: 181g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 972mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 15g

    Slow Cooker Food safety

    Slow cooker safety tips from the USDA.

    More Small Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Single Serving Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe
    • Single Serving Slow Cooker Split Pea & Potato Soup
    • Slow Cooker Baked Apple for One
    • 14 Easy Recipes to Make in Your Small Crockpot

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    Cooking scrumptious small batch recipes for one and sometimes for two are created in my small 1960’s kitchen. I learned to cook Shepherds Pie in England and Classic Marinara while living in Italy. Born in Southern California and raised in the Midwest, my cooking represents the best of both regions with an added touch of Southern hospitality.

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    Looking for stew recipes? This is the place for all-season recipes! Stews aren't just a cold-weather dish.


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