Sous Vide Steak

Learn to make perfect sous vide steak at home like professionals; tender, juicy, and made with or without a sous vide cooker.

The best sous vide steak

Steak is something that can be difficult to cook absolutely perfectly. We thought we had perfected it with air fryer steak and chimichurri steak but actually there is a foolproof way to cook it- sous vide style! 

Why sous vide your steak? 

Sous vide is a French word that means “under vacuum” in English. It’s a cooking method used to cook a thick steak at a precise temperature in vacuum-sealed bags or pouches.

We can make this kind of steak using a sous vide cooker or, as you’ll see in today’s post, without one, using a ziplock bag and pot method.

Why you’ll love this recipe 

• Even consistency. Sous vide cooks steak to a very precise temperature, resulting in even consistency once done.
• Tender and juicy steak. It’s cooked in sealed pouches, so you get a tender and juicy steak.
• Easy to make. You don’t have to check your steak repeatedly as it cooks to a precise temperature. So, you get time to do other things without worrying about overcooking.
• Better taste. With all the juices, tender and moist texture, sous vide steak tastes better than other steaks. 

Restaurants use the sous vide method for cooking steak because the results are unparalleled regarding texture and flavor and now you can do it yourself in the comfort of your home!

Ingredients needed 

You can cook sous vide steak two ways. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for both methods: 

• Steak. Strip, ribeye, or any other cut. 
• Rosemary. Fresh rosemary to enhance flavor. 
• Thyme. To add flavor. 
• Garlic. Fresh garlic cloves.
• Salt and pepper. To taste.
• Butter. To pan sear the steak at the end. 

Oh, and if you’d like to marinade it instead, we love using a 3 ingredient steak marinade. 

How to sous vide steak without a machine

Want to make steak with a sous vide cooker or without it? Here is how you can make perfect steak either way.  

Season the steak 

Start by seasoning the steak with salt and pepper. 

Put steak in a zip-lock bag 

Next, take a zip-lock bag, add rosemary, thyme and garlic with meat in between these ingredients. Don’t completely close the bag.

Dip sealed bag in water 

Dip the sealed bag in water. Due to water pressure, the air in the bag will release. When there is no air in the bag, close the bag.

Cook the steak 

In a pot, take water and warm it to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the sealed bag in the boiling water and cook for medium doneness. Keep stirring continuously to maintain water temperature. 

Smoke with butter and serve 

In a skillet, add some butter. Wait until it smokes, then add steak and sprinkle some herbs. Cook both sides, and once done, transfer to a plate and serve. 

How to sous vide steak with a cooker

Preheat the sous vide cooker 

Preheat the sous vide cooker to the required temperature. Check the temperature with a thermometer. 

Season the steak and seal 

Season steak with salt and pepper. In the sous vide bags, add shallots, garlic, and herb. Seal the bag and place it in boiling water for the required time. 

Sear steak in a pan or grill

Repeat the same method as mentioned in the non-sous vide machine method. 

How long to sous vide

The time you need to cook a steak in sous vide depends upon the level of doneness you want and the cut you choose. The time below is for the strip, ribeye, T-Bone, and butcher’s cuts. Decide the level of doneness and then cook accordingly.

• Very rare to rare: 1-2 ½ hours.
• Medium-rare: 1-4 hours.
• Medium: 1-4 hours.
• Medium-well: 1-3 ½ hours.
• Well-done: 1-3 hours.

What is the best cut of steak for this recipe? 

The best cut of steak for sous vide is filet mignon; it’s the most tender but still lean. If you don’t get this, some best alternatives are ribeye, tenderloin, sirloin, T-Bone and prime rib. 

Sous vide steak temp

The temperature for sous vide steak also depends upon the level of doneness and the cut you choose. If you choose T-Bone, ribeye, strip, or butcher’s cut, heat these at the following temperatures: 

• Very rare to rare: 120-128 degrees F.
• Medium-rare: 129-134 degrees F.
• Medium: 135-144 degrees F. 
• Medium-well: 145-155 degrees F.
• Well-done: 156 or higher degrees F.

Storing and freezing instructions 

Want the best ways to store leftovers? Follow these storage tips: 

• To store: Put the steak in airtight containers and store for 3-4 days.
• To freeze: Use freezer-safe bags to freeze steak for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Reheat in an oven or skillet. 

What to serve with steak

• Mashed cauliflower
• Scalloped potatoes
• Air fryer Brussels sprouts
• Balsamic Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower fried rice

Frequently Asked Questions