Mastering Sous Vide Steak: A Simple Approach That Delivers

The advantage of sous vide steak is that it allows you to create perfectly cooked steak every time. This is because the machine ensures that the steak's internal temperature never goes above your desired level of doneness.

Sous vide steak cooking offers something truly amazing for chefs and food lovers alike.

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⬇️ Table of Contents

• How To Sous Vide Steak
• Cooking Temperatures
• What Is the Best Steak To Sous Vide?
• Watch How To Make
• What to Serve with Sous Vide Steak
• 📖 Recipe

How To Sous Vide Steak

There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking sous-vide. First, because the food is cooked slowly at a low temperature, it is important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Second, the food will need to be cooked for a longer period of time than usual, so it is important to plan ahead. Finally, it is important to monitor the water bath carefully to make sure that the temperature remains consistent throughout the cooking process.

Sous Vide cooking can be carefree when done well. The seasoning is the "KEY" component of restaurant-quality sous vide cookery. Cooks either overdo the steak seasoning or underdo it. Using the sous vide cooking method can be very sensitive to what you throw at it, in the means of herbs, spices & salt.

Salt is the central area of error. You'll be a master after this very post and video. Salt enhances the flavor of food. The balancing act of salt is not an easy task to do well. One might think so, but that simply is not true, not in the least.

In culinary school, one of the things that the students could not get over was the amount of salt needed for the food to be considered "seasoned" correctly.

The art of correctly seasoning food is not an easy task. You could have 3 different people add salt to a dish and get wildly differing options. For example, people who smoke cigarettes need and use more salt than non-smokers. Smoking destroys chefs' palettes.

Cooking Temperatures

To sous vide steak, you'll need to set the sous vide cooker to your desired internal temperature. For a rare steak, that's usually between 120-130°F, and for a medium rare steak, it's between 130-140°F. If you like your steak closer to well done, you can cook it at a higher temperature, but we don't recommend going above 145°F.

Set the temperature; once the sous vide water is up to temperature, add your steaks to the water bath and let them cook for 1-2 hours of cook time. When finished cooking, remove them from the water bath and sear the steak on a hot pan or grill to get a nice crust outside.

Sous Vide Steak Cooking Temperature Guide

1. Rare Steak
   • Temperature: 120-125°F (49-52°C)
   • Texture: A rare steak will have a cool, red center. It's lightly cooked on the outside and very soft and juicy inside.
   • Ideal for: Steak enthusiasts who enjoy a very tender and moist steak with a distinct meaty flavor.
2. Medium-Rare Steak
   • Temperature: 130-135°F (54-57°C)
   • Texture: Medium-rare offers a warm, red center. It's firmer than rare but still very juicy and flavorful.
   • Ideal for: Those who prefer a balance of tenderness and subtle firmness with rich flavors.
3. Medium Steak
   • Temperature: 140-145°F (60-63°C)
   • Texture: A medium steak has a warm, pink center with increased firmness. It retains juiciness but is less soft than medium-rare.
   • Ideal for: Diners who like a slightly firmer texture while enjoying some juiciness.
4. Medium-Well Steak
   • Temperature: 150-155°F (65-68°C)
   • Texture: This level has a slight hint of pink in the center, is firmer to the touch, and has less moisture.
   • Ideal for: Those who prefer their steak more cooked and firmer, with minimal pink in the center.
5. Well-Done Steak
   • Temperature: 160°F (71°C) and above
   • Texture: A well-done steak is very firm, with no pink in the center, and is drier than other doneness levels.
   • Ideal for: People who prefer their steak fully cooked through, without any red or pink.

What Is the Best Steak To Sous Vide?

The best cut of steak for sous vide is going to be a personal preference. However, some cuts of steak are better suited for this cooking method than others.

Best Steaks for Sous Vide Cooking

1. Filet Mignon (Tenderloin)
   • Characteristics: Lean, tender, and buttery.
   • Why It's Great for Sous Vide: The gentle cooking process preserves its tenderness and prevents overcooking, which is crucial for such a lean cut.
2. Ribeye
   • Characteristics: Richly marbled, flavorful, and juicy.
   • Why It's Great for Sous Vide: The fat renders evenly, enhancing the flavor without losing moisture, resulting in a perfectly juicy steak.
3. New York Strip (Strip Steak)
   • Characteristics: A good balance of tenderness and beefy flavor, with some marbling.
   • Why It's Great for Sous Vide: It cooks evenly, ensuring the entire steak reaches the same level of doneness, enhancing its natural flavors.
4. Sirloin
   • Characteristics: Leaner than ribeye but still flavorful.
   • Why It's Great for Sous Vide: Sous vide cooking tenderizes the meat while maintaining its robust flavor.
5. Porterhouse/T-Bone
   • Characteristics: A combination of tenderloin and strip, offering two different textures and flavors in one steak.
   • Why It's Great for Sous Vide: Ensures both the tenderloin and strip sections are cooked perfectly without overcooking either side.
6. Chuck Steak
   • Characteristics: More affordable, with rich flavors and a bit tougher texture.
   • Why It's Great for Sous Vide: The longer cooking time in sous vide can tenderize this tougher cut, making it succulent and flavorful.
7. Flank or Skirt Steak
   • Characteristics: Lean, flavorful, and fibrous.
   • Why It's Great for Sous Vide: These cuts can be tough, but sous vide cooking tenderizes them beautifully while infusing flavor.

Watch How To Make

What to Serve with Sous Vide Steak

What should you serve with your sous vide steak? Here are some great options:

• Roasted vegetables are a classic side dish that goes well with just about anything.
• Mashed potatoes are always a good choice, and they're incredibly delicious when paired with steak.
• Salad: A simple green salad is a light and refreshing option that will complement your steak nicely.
• Bread is always a good idea, especially if you want to soak up all of the delicious juices from your steak.

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