How Long Does Leftover Tri-Tip Last?

Tri-tip is a large cut of beef that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. But sometimes, you may overestimate how much you need and end up with plenty of leftovers. So, how long are these leftovers good for?

Leftover tri-tip will last about 3-5 days when stored in the fridge. Place the leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. If you find signs of mold, a slimy texture, or a suspicious smell, then it’s time to throw out your leftovers. 

As long as you store your leftover tri-tip properly, you should be able to enjoy it again after a few days. Let’s take a closer look at how to store both raw and cooked tri-tip as well as how to determine if your leftovers have gone bad.

What Is Tri-Tip?

Tri Tip beef steak in steel tray

Tri-tip is a cut of beef that comes from the same region of the cow that a sirloin does. This cut of meat was given the name tri-tip because it’s in a triangle shape when it’s removed from the cow. 

Tri-tip is a large cut of meat, and it’s typically slow-roasted to make it more tender. It’s often served sliced on top of mashed potatoes with gravy, in chunks with veggies, or in a stir-fry.

But regardless of how you serve it, this is a large cut of beef, and unless you’ve got a huge family, you’ll likely have some leftovers. 

How Long Does Cooked Tri-Tip Last in the Fridge?

If you’ve already cooked your tri-tip, you can expect it to stay good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Store the leftovers in a shallow airtight container or tightly wrapped with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

For the best results, consume your leftovers as soon as possible, because tri-tip is often tougher the second time it’s reheated. 

If you attempt to eat tri-tip that has been in your fridge for longer than 3 to 5 days, you risk catching a food-borne illness. To preserve your health, it’s best to toss out old meat that you aren’t sure whether it’s still good.

What About Raw Tri-Tip?

Raw tri-tip lasts about the same time as cooked tri-tip when left in your fridge when properly wrapped, so you can expect it to also stay good for 3 to 5 days. 

This only applies to well-wrapped raw tri-tip, however; if your raw tri-tip is sitting on a plate or pan, it will spoil much quicker. 

How to Reheat Tri-Tip to Avoid Toughness

The best way to reheat tri-tip without getting meat that’s too tough is to heat a little oil or butter in a pan on the stove. You’ll want to place the leftover tri-tip in the pan in slices, heating them for a minute or two each.

If you have a lot of tri-tip left, you can also put a little butter in a pan and place the entire cut in the oven for 30-45 minutes until it’s warm all the way through. 

What Are the Signs of Spoiled Tri-Tip?

Raw marinated in mustard beef tri-tip steak for bbq

If it’s been several days, and you’re not quite sure whether your tri-tip is still safe to eat, you can check the meat for signs that it’s gone bad. Those signs include the following:

Appearance Is Off

Your tri-tip should look the same as it did when you first cooked it. It should be brown in color and shouldn’t look rubbery or shiny. If you see a sheen on your beef, it needs to be thrown away. 

Also look for any visible signs of white, black, or green mold. 

The same goes for raw tri-tip; the beef should be red in color. If the meat is brown, green, or has a silver sheen, it’s already gone bad. 

Feels Slimy

If your beef looks okay, the next step is to touch a piece of it. It should feel firm. If it feels slimy or slippery, then your tri-tip has unfortunately gone bad. 

Smells Rotten

If your beef passes the look and touch test, the next step is to take a big whiff. Rotten cooked beef will smell rotten, and rotten raw beef will smell a bit like ammonia. 

If your tri-tip fails any of these tests, it’s time to toss it in the trash. 

Final Thoughts

The general rule is that tri-tip is only good for about 3 to 5 days. If it’s been longer than that, you probably need to put your leftover tri-tip in the trash.

If you can’t remember how many days it’s been, take a good look at your tri-tip, touching and smelling it to see if it’s still good. If you aren’t sure, it’s always better to be safe than sorry; you certainly don’t want to get sick from eating it.

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