Tri tip quality

[AndyK]

Greetings all,
Hey have you noticed that not only has the price risen on tri tip but the quality has gone down.
I have seen this in a few places but Walmart consistently has these looking cuts.
It‘s as if the marbling is more or less gone.
I have bought lots of tri tip in the past and only recently seen this.
Some cuts even remind me of tuna.
Am I trippin or are lease rather lean?

 

[Bob H.]

Have you looked at places other than Wal Mart?

 

[Brett-EDH]

We’re Costco only for meats. Those look very trimmed. We like some of the fat on them. Fat = Flavor.

 

[AndyK]

I thought Costco and Safeway was sub par as well.

 

[Bruno]

Costco prime!

 

[Brett-EDH]

I thought Costco and Safeway was sub par as well.

We usually buy the Costco cryovac pack. 6-8 TT per package. Has always been good.

 

[DanHoo]

We usually buy the Costco cryovac pack. 6-8 TT per package. Has always been good.

Is the cryovac bag blade tenderized?

 

[Brett-EDH]

Is the cryovac bag blade tenderized?

Unmolested. Just a bulk bag and IIRC, untrimmed. I have’t bought TT in a while. We like it for summer and entertaining.

 

[DanHoo]

Unmolested. Just a bulk bag and IIRC, untrimmed. I have’t bought TT in a while. We like it for summer and entertaining.

The last package of TT I I noticed the label said blade tenderized.

I don't remember this being the case before.

 

[Bob Bass]

Andy...
Also take a close look at the muscle grain direction. Even on here there have been times where the grain direction does not follow the 3 separate directions ! Faux Tri Tip ?

 

[MikeCantell]

I rarely find them around here other than Kroger, they come pre marinated which is pretty decent but not the flavor profile I want, wish I could find enuff TT to look at them and have a choice lol

 

[Chuck-roaniecowpony]

Walmart sells meats that are USDA Select. That tri-tip appears to be Select or lower/ungraded.

Costco sells USDA Choice and Prime. Sams Club seems to sell Choice and Prime.

 

[DanHoo]

Andy...
Also take a close look at the muscle grain direction. Even on here there have been times where the grain direction does not follow the 3 separate directions ! Faux Tri Tip ?

I don't always see the third grain direction in every roast. I often cut the narrow tip on a 45 degree angle for slightly larger slices.

The tip and the second slice are board nibbles for the carver and anyone helping set the table or finishing up sides. I cut these into small bites.

 

[AndyK]

Phony tri tip?
I will take a look at those closer.
It just looked wrong.

 

[Mark Silver]

This one (I posted this pic before) from Albertson’s is better than most I buy from them, but they all have good marbling.

 

[Richard S]

I personally have never seen a tri-tip trimmed to that extent! I think they have a very obsessive compulsive butcher at that store! Wow. Maybe give them some feedback? Tell them you want some fat back?

 

[John Saldana]

Buy my TT's from the local Mom and Pop store, they always have good cuts, never disappointed. steaks now, get at Costco.