Mother's Day Magic: Hudson's Tri-Tip Feast

Mother's Day Magic: Hudson's Tri-Tip Feast

Sometimes the best meals aren't crafted by professional chefs, but by little hands filled with big love. In preparation for Mother's Day, our 6-year-old son Hudson decided he wanted to create a special feast all on his own. With a little supervision (and a lot of laughs), he smoked an incredible tri-tip, attempted homemade rolls, and helped whip up a decadent twice-baked potato casserole. It was perfectly imperfect and absolutely unforgettable.

Here's how he pulled off this epic meal—and how you can recreate it at home, whether you're using a Traeger or your oven!

Ingredients

  • 1 Tri-Tip roast (around 2-3 lbs)
  • Susie Q’s Tri-tip Seasoning (Or your favorite seasoning!) You can find some incredible seasonings at Modern BBQ Supply in Boise or Meridian. 
  • 2 tablespoons butter (for resting)

Directions

  • Step 1: Prep the Tri-Tip
    • Set your tri-tip out at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking. This helps it cook evenly.
    • Trim off any silver skin or membrane using a sharp knife.
  • Step 2: Season
    • Liberally coat the tri-tip with your favorite seasoning. Don't be shy—the bold seasoning is part of what makes it amazing.
  • Step 3: Cook Low and Slow
    • Traeger Method: Preheat your Traeger grill to 250°F.
    • Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 250°F.
    • Place the tri-tip directly on the grill grates (or a baking rack over a sheet pan if using the oven).
    • Cook until the internal temperature hits 130°F (this took about an hour for us).
  • Step 4: Reverse Sear
    • Traeger: Crank up the grill to high (450-500°F).
    • Oven: Switch to broil on high.
    • Sear the tri-tip for about 2 minutes per side until a beautiful crust forms.
  • Step 5: Rest
    • Place 2 tablespoons of butter on top of the tri-tip before wrapping it loosely in foil.
    • Let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This locks in all those amazing juices and adds a rich, buttery flavor.
  • Step 6: Slice and Serve
    • Always slice against the grain for the most tender bite.
    • And trust us—this tri-tip was unreal.

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

While the rolls didn't exactly turn out (hey, it happens!), Hudson and Dad knocked it out of the park with an incredible side: a creamy, cheesy Twice-Baked Potato Casserole from the Pioneer Woman.

Here's the recipe they used: Pioneer Woman Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Final Thoughts

Was every part of the meal perfect? Nope. But that's what made it perfect. Watching Hudson proudly serve a tri-tip he seasoned and smoked himself was hands-down the best pre-Mother's Day gift a mom could ask for.

Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or letting a six-year-old run the show, one thing's for sure: a meal made with love tastes better than anything else.

Give this recipe a try for your Mother's Day celebration—and maybe let your little ones help. You might just create a memory you'll never forget.

Happy Mother's Day!

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