What’s better than a top sirloin roast? A smoked top sirloin roast! This tender cut of beef is a popular favorite and requires minimal effort once prepped.
In fact, it only requires about 15 minutes of prep time, followed by 3 hours of cooking. Follow the steps in this recipe to ensure you get the perfect result the first time.
Smoked Top Sirloin Roast Recipe
Equipment
- Butcher's twine
- BBQ smoker
- Wood (e.g., hickory or mesquite)
- meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 sirloin roast (5 lbs)
- 2 tbsp sea salt
- ¼ cup Montreal steak seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 250°F. This takes about 30-45 minutes.
- Trim excess fat, tie roast with twine, and create a shapely appearance.
- Rub roast with olive oil, salt, and steak seasoning. No need to dry brine overnight.
- Place prepared meat in smoker at 250°F, aiming for 145°F for medium doneness or 130-135°F for medium rare. Use leave-in thermometer to monitor.
- Let smoked roast rest for 15 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute. Cover with foil to retain warmth.
Nutrition
How to Pick the Right Top Sirloin Roast
Selecting the right meat is more important than many people think. Look for a cut with a deep red color and fine marbling throughout.
Marbling is the white streaks of fat that run through the meat, keeping it moist while cooking. The amount of marbling present is a significant consideration that the USDA uses to determine the grade. [1]
Note
A roast graded as ‘prime’ has the highest quality and the most flavor. ‘Choice’ is the second best. The lowest rating is “select,” which I suggest not wasting your time on, especially if you’re smoking it.
It’s also essential to consider the beef’s size and shape. Look for a top sirloin roast that’s uniform in size and thickness, with no large areas of unevenness or holes in the meat.
This uniformity ensures the roast cooks evenly, producing tender, flavorful meat.
Finally, ensure you purchase your top sirloin roasts from a reputable butcher or grocery store to ensure they have handled the meat properly.
Detailed Instructions: How to Smoke Top Sirloin Roast
Have all your ingredients and equipment ready? Let’s get started.
1. Preheat Your Smoker to 250°F
The first step is to preheat the smoker to 250°F. It takes most smokers about 30 to 45 minutes to reach this temperature, so I recommend this step first.
Then, you can prepare your meat while waiting for your smoker to reach that temperature. Also, ensure you have enough fuel, such as charcoal or pellets, and wood chunks for flavor.
2. Prepare the Roast and Tie It Up With Butcher’s Twine
Trim excess fat with a knife so that only a thin layer remains. Too much fat can cause uneven cooking and prevent the seasoning from imparting the meat.
To ensure a nicely shaped roast, tie it up with butcher’s twine (also known as kitchen twine) before cooking. Note that your cut of meat may already be pre-tied, depending on where you bought it from.
The string helps hold the roast’s shape, creating a more visually appealing and flavorful finished product.
3. Add Seasoning to the Top Sirloin Roast
Rub the sirloin roast with extra virgin olive oil. Adding a liquid or sticky base makes it easier for the seasoning to stick to the roast. Next, rub the roast with salt and then steak seasoning.
You can use a store-bought seasoning such as Montreal steak seasoning or make your own by combining spices such as onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
Some people like to let the sirloin roast sit in the dry brine overnight, but I don’t think this is necessary, especially since you’re smoking it.
4. Put the Meat in Your Smoker
Now that the meat is prepared, you can put it in the smoker. Cook at 250°F until it reaches your desired internal temperature.
The US government guidelines recommend an internal temperature of 145°F for beef [2]. That temperature results in medium doneness.
However, if you prefer medium rare (my favorite), aim for an internal temperature of 130–135°F. It should take 2.5 to 3 hours to cook, but of course, that depends on the size of the cut.
Avoid opening the smoker door to look at the sirloin roast too often, as that allows heat to escape. Instead, using a leave-in thermometer is the best way to monitor your roast’s temperature.
It is a probe-style thermometer inserted into the roast’s center and left in place throughout the cooking process.
They usually have a digital display that you can set near the oven. Some newer models have an app you can connect to observe the temperature on your smartphone.
5. Remove the Smoked Roast and Let It Rest for 15 Minutes
Let the smoked sirloin roast rest for 15 minutes before slicing it. The rest period allows the meat to finish cooking and for the juices to redistribute throughout the roast.
Note
The heat causes the juices to move toward the surface of the meat during cooking, and cutting the roast too soon after removing it from the heat source can cause the juices to escape.
Cover the roast loosely with aluminum foil to keep it warm during the rest period.
Additional Tips to Consider
Here are other tips to help you get the most out of your smoked top sirloin roast:
- Experiment with different seasonings: For example, try mustard or olive oil instead of rubbing it with Worcestershire sauce. Make your own seasoning mix instead of using a store-bought one. The beauty of sirloin roast is that it is versatile.
- Don’t trim off too much fat: That’ll make the outside char and overcook.
- Use a grill if you don’t have a smoker: However, ensure you use low, indirect heat and don’t expose the roast directly to the flame.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have a few questions about this top sirloin roast recipe, check out the FAQs below!
What Is a Top Sirloin Roast?
The top sirloin roast is a lean and flavorful beef cut from the top of the primal sirloin cut. It’s more tender than cuts from the round or chuck but less tender than tenderloin or rib cuts, with lower fat content.
Is Top Sirloin Good for Smoking?
Yes, top sirloin roast can be good for smoking, particularly if it has good marbling.
How Long Should I Smoke a Top Sirloin Roast?
A Sirloin roast takes about 2.5-3 hours to smoke, depending on the size of the cut.
How Does a Top Sirloin Roast Weight?
A top sirloin roast from a butcher or grocery store typically weighs between 2 to 5 pounds before removing the fat and cooking.
How Many People Does a Sirloin Roast Feed?
A typical 5-pound roast is 8 servings.
What Are Recommended Side Dishes for a Smoked Top Sirloin Roast?
Some recommended side dishes are roasted or grilled vegetables, salad, baked beans, cornbread, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and coleslaw.
Final Thoughts
A smoked top sirloin roast is an excellent choice for anyone looking to prepare a delicious and budget-friendly meal without sacrificing flavor and tenderness.
With its simple preparation steps, even beginners can easily master smoking a sirloin roast. Once you’ve perfected it, try experimenting with different seasonings or wood chunks for flavor optimization.
