What to serve with a big tri-tip feast?

[Attjack]

I'm having our annual family reunion at my cabin in July and my aunt is sourcing tri-tip from a local ranch. It's looking like around 25 people so we're going to get 13 pounds of tri-tip. My plan is to cook the tri-tip at 225 inside the oven until 115f and then sear on a 22" kettle.

First question: Do you think I have adequate capacity to pull this off between the single oven and kettle?

Second Question: What do I serve with it? I'm thinking of Jus and Chimichurra for the meat. Other ideas are French dip fixings, a Caesar salad, green beans, blistered shishitos, and mushrooms. Suggestions?

Third question: I'm thinking red wine and a batch of Manhattans would be good Anything else?

[CandySueQ]

Do a hash brown tater casserole. You could likely cook something up in a slow cooker so you don't use oven or cooker space.

[Attjack]

Using a slow cooker is a great idea. I have one and an Instant Pot there (I also have a 2-burner Weber Spirit) and might bring my wok burner. Do you have a recipe you could share?

[CandySueQ]

Attjack, I like the looks of this one: https://slowcookerfoodie.com/slow-co...own-casserole/ I'm going to add it to my "try" recipes. I tend to make my own white sauce instead of using cream soups.

[Murdy]

50 pounds for 25 people sounds like a lot. In fact, a pound per person would be beyond what we would have recommended when I worked at a butcher shop.

Are you trying for an elegant meal or picknicy? If the latter, homemade baked beans or some variation of them and add beer to the drink list (actually, add beer regardless and choose your type of beer accordingly).

[Attjack]

You are right! I typed that wrong. I meant 1/2 a pound per person. I'm going to edit my post.

[Attjack]

More of a formal feast. I have done this family get-together every year since my mom passed, on her birthday weekend. There will be lots of picnic meals over the course of the weekend and there will certainly be beer that others bring.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

I would consider reducing the main meat add adding something easy/forgiving to cook ...maybe chicken thighs or sausage?
Pot of Beans is a go-to, when I have a bunch of folks coming

Unless it is BYOB- I usually keep cocktails off the menu when there is a large number (a. cost and b. big number means there will be few who drink vodka vice bourbon) so I keep it to Chardonnay or Reisling and Pinot Noir or a nice red blend (Prophecy is my choice)

I have 12 coming in July and just started thinking about the "Plan"...so I appreciate the reminder.

[Attjack]

I've considered an alternate meat although not much is any easier than tri-tip. I'll give that more thought. Beans keep coming up. They have never been a big thing in my family but I won't rule it out.

Sadly, you may be right about the cocktail. It's super easy but I might not have enough takers. In my book bourbon and beef go together like hand and glove same with red wine. Everyone will be there for multiple days and will be bringing beer and whatever else for themselves.

[ecowper]

Red wine and tri-tip is the typical deal in Central California

[barelfly]

You are doing chimichurri, so this may not exactly fit the profile, but Santa Maria style beans? I love the flavor of this recipe with tri tip. Happy to share the recipe I use.

red wine is great with it. As for other cocktails….you are one of our resident cocktail experts! Manhattan you say…go with it!

either way - have fun! Your family is in for a treat with what you have planned!

[Attjack]

Recipe, please.

[theroc]

Attjack Try this one. One our favorites

https://www.latimes.com/recipe/jockos-style-pinquito-beans

[Attjack]

Last year was King Salmon. This year there will be more people.

[Greygoose]

I’m in,,!!!!

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Man, that is quite the spread.....pretty cool table too

[Huskee]

Tonight's a big tri-tip feast in my home, and we're serving mashed taters, some fashion of carrots, I assume something on the sweeter side, and a big bold red wine.

[Attjack]

Sounds awesome! Carrots would be great and add some color as would sweet potatoes. People will want to help and if someone has a go-to potato recipe I'm not going to stop them.

[Huskee]

Attjack Our go to mashed tater recipe is either gold or reds, skin on, heavy cream, garlic, salt and butter, and pepper. Nothing too fancy, likely very common, but wonderful.

[Attjack]

I do like mashed potatoes and absolutely loved them as a kid. For some reason, I don't make them very often these days. It would be a good dish for someone who wants to bring something to the dinner.

[wrgilb]

RECIPE FOR
PINQUITO BARBEQUE BEANS

2 cups (1 pound) Pinquito Beans
2 or 3 cloves of garlic, minced large onion, chopped can (8 oz.) tomato sauce 1/3 cup bacon drippings
2 to 4 teaspoons chili powder a teaspoon powdered cumin seed or comino (may be omitted)
Brown and add one of the following:
1/2 pound of hamburger, ham or sausage with one chopped green pepper.
Wash and pick over beans. Soak overnight in cold water or cover beans with boiling water and let stand until cool. Drain, cover with boiling water, then add above ingredients. Cover and simmer gently 2 to 3 hours until beans are tender and sauce is thick and rich. Stir occasionally, it may be necessary to add a little boiling water from time to time. When done beans should be neither dry nor soupy.This amount of beans will serve 6 to 8 people, so you may need to triple it.

Why not get some smoke on the trip-tips on the kettle @ 300-325, should take 45 minutes to 125-135. Then crank it up and sear. Use Red Oak if you can get, they'll think you are a Santa Maria Guru!!

[Greygoose]

This ^

[Attjack]

Thanks for the recipe. I do have oak at the cabin. I could definitely be convinced to smoke them depending on if the grill is occupied.

[SheilaAnn]

Attjack Agree on the pinquito beans. https://www.ranchogordo.com/products...-pinquito-bean
How about pico de gallo and corn tortillas? At my market, we just made esquites. So easy to make a big batch! Let me know if you want the recipe. It’s from this book: https://www.amazon.com/Asada-Mexican.../dp/1419762885

[Attjack]

Pinquito beans are a crowd favorite up in here! barelfly also sent me his recipe. Pico de gallo sounds like another great suggestion that I can suggest to someone wanting to bring something. A lot of the family have great gardens and there are always tomatoes and peppers in large quantities present at the get-together. I love esquites and make it frequently in the summer, it's going on the list of possibilities. I think I even did it at a past get-together and was hit with recipe requests.

[wrgilb]

Here's a Pico de Gallo recipe from Tyler Florence, that I really like.
Pico de Gallo
4 vine ripe tomatoes, chopped
½ medium red onion, chopped
2 green onions, white and green parts, sliced
1 Serrano or Jalapeno chili pepper, minced. Seeds and veins removed.
1 handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 lime, juiced
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together. Toss thoroughly. Let it sit for 15 min. to allow flavors to marry.

[Attjack]

Thanks to you guys my list of possibilities is really coming together. I'll keep adding ideas I like from you guys and once my sister gets back from France I'll run it by her and my other sister who are both great cooks and always help this thing come together.

[Greygoose]

What time,,, I’ll be there,,,,,LOL !!!
Manhattans,,,

[Old Glory]

Slow cooker Jambalaya?

https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/crockpot-jambalaya/

Batch Margaritas
Sangria

https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/watermelon-sangria

Rum Punch

https://www.liquor.com/recipes/rum-punch/

Negroni Bar (mix your own with different gins and vermouth)

[Attjack]

Jambalaya is on my list of things I want to make that I have not made. Maybe next year after I have had some practice! Sadly, Bad Hat BBQ already brought me back down to earth on my cocktail aspirations for this particular event.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

You asked for input ---so I gave you input
Sorry but cold reality will kill lofty aspirations any chance it gets

(This sounds snarky-but totally joking!!!)

[Attjack]

Bad Hat BBQ I would have just ended up drinking a pitcher of Manhattans.

[Smoked Transistors]

Corn on the cob goes great with Tri Tips. Maybe baked potatoes which you could foil wrap ahead of time and easily roast them on the coals and hold for an hour or two wrapped in towels.

[STEbbq]

I was thinking French dip sandwiches and I see you were way ahead of me. What do you think about doing the toasted garlic bread sandwiches with the toasted bit on the outside? I think they have a similar type of bun for hot dogs.

Maybe one of those jars of chili crisp?

[jfmorris]

Only question I can answer is that yes, you have capacity to pull this off!

[Attjack]

It's funny, my wires got crossed, and although I wanted a half pound for each person my brain went the other way. The original post said I was going to be cooking 50 pounds of tri-tip which led me to question my capacity.

[JoeSousa]

I am always a big mac and cheese fan with beef. Especially with brisket and tri tip. My favorite recipe is this one: https://beechershandmadecheese.com/b...est-mac-cheese

If you can get the Beechers cheese it is worth it. But if not a good, high quality sharp cheddar will do the job.

Add in some corn on the cob or some esquites and you have a perfect meal.