It’s a tri-tip marinated in a secret marinade from a butcher in Palo Alto, CA. It’s famous for the near black color and crust it produces. Cooked it how they recommended, 375 degrees in the oven until 125 degrees (not how I have ever cooked a tri-tip), and it came out perfect. Absolutely delicious. Any Bay Area steak lover should try it. Description of Fred and the steak in the last pic.
by talks-a-lot
17 Comments
Looks good
Where do I get this Fred’s marinade???
FYI since you’re new to tri-tip, it’s got two different grains. So that top right section on your cutting board – you cut that with the grain, then the rest it looks like it was against the grain as desired. That top right section was likely a little tough to chew as a result.
Fantastic looking cook!
I thought it was going to be a charred piece of napalm ‘well done’ all the way through. Looks AMAZING!
For those who might want to recreate it at home:
Fred’s Steak-Inspired Marinade (No Alcohol Version)
🧂 Ingredients (for 2–3 tri-tips or 4–6 steaks):
1 cup brewed dark roast coffee (room temp)
1/2 cup pomegranate juice (unsweetened preferred)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup tamari (or low-sodium soy sauce)
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp molasses (or dark brown sugar)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Vegemite (or miso paste if unavailable)
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp chipotle powder (optional, for heat and smoke)
1/2 tsp squid ink or activated charcoal powder (optional, for black coloring)
🥣 Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and fully combined, especially if using Vegemite/miso.
Marinate steaks in a sealed container or zip-top bag. Ensure full coverage.
Chill for at least 72 hours in the fridge, turning every 12 hours.
Then follow whatever cooking method you prefer
IYKYK
Nice!
No thanks
Doing too much
The “sealing in the juices” myth needs to go away already.
Hey a local favorite on Reddit! Everyone in the Bay Area peninsula knows Fred’s! This exact steak is served at many get together as an appetizer here. And forget burgers and briskets. Your command of a grill is how well you do a Fred’s around here.
Freddy steaks! Great lil shop.
Fred’s! We love this steak.
Schaub’s has a lot of tasty meats. Their blue corn brats are delicious as well.
This looks amazing, op, and cooked so perfectly.
What is exactly is in your marinade, Fred?
Fred: Yes
Blasphemy
Anyone play Valheim? Cause I’m pretty sure that is just a Neck tail
Tri tip, kinda like the “cardiff crack” in San Diego
A little disappointed it is marinade and not char, but looks good none the less.