“Sous vide” used to be a foreign word to me. I knew it was a cooking term and I thought it had something to do with cooking meat in water. And there was a vacuum-sealer involved somehow. And it cooked really fast. Or was it really slow? Clearly, I didn’t know much about this new trend and I needed to dig deeper. Keep reading to learn what sous vide is really all about.
What Is Sous Vide Cooking?
Sous vide is a cooking technique that heats food with water. Here’s how it works. Food is placed in a vacuum-sealed bag and cooked in a temperature-regulated water bath. The food cooks evenly because it is surrounded by water, not air. Because the water doesn’t go above a certain temperature, you never have to worry about overcooked food. It simply doesn’t happen when you cook sous vide-style, which translates to “under vacuum” in French.
What Equipment Do You Need?
There are two basic types of sous vide setups. The first uses an immersion circulator. Just place this device in a pot filled with water and voila, you’re ready to start. It’s compact, so it won’t take up much space.
The second setup is a full-on water oven, also known as a countertop water bath. It’s the size of a microwave and is much more expensive than the immersion circulator, so this product is for the professional sous vide-er or someone with a lot of extra counter space (Learn how to get more counter space in your own kitchen.).
The average home cook is better off with the smaller immersion circulator, in my opinion. But, no matter which type of sous vide device you own, you’ll need to put your food in a vacuum-sealed bag. You can purchase a vacuum sealer (we recommend these vacuum sealer picks!), which will do an excellent job of removing all air from the bag, but it’s more money to shell out. Luckily, there’s another option that doesn’t cost a thing. Just put your food in a bag and seal it almost completely, leaving an inch or so unsealed. Slowly drop the bag in a pot of water and let the water push out all the air. When you get to the top of the bag, seal it up. How cool is that?!
What Are the Pros?
The biggest benefit to sous vide cooking by far is the food quality. Cooking a steak perfectly every single time is something I thought only Iron Chefs and wizards could do. But no. With a sous vide machine, you will never, ever overcook your meat. No longer will you ruin an expensive cut of steak or power through an overcooked, rubbery chicken breast that you wish you could just throw in the garbage.
Another benefit of the sous vide machine is that it can cook more than just meat. Sure, it does wonders to steak, chicken breasts and pork shoulders, but it can also cook eggs, veggies, shrimp, lobster and more. I love that versatility!
What Are the Cons?
Unfortunately, there are some downsides to sous vide cooking. First, it takes longer to cook. Because the water doesn’t go above a certain temperature, the food needs to cook for a longer period of time before it’s safe to consume.
Second, you usually need to finish off your meats in a pan. Though it’s fully cooked, there’s no crust when you use a water bath. So, you need to sear it in a pan at the end. So long, one-dish dinners.
Third, it ain’t cheap. An immersion circulator will cost you $100-$200 dollars. A water oven is even more expensive, selling for over $300. Maybe I’ll just stick to using my $32 cast-iron pan…
Should You Buy a Sous Vide Machine?
Truthfully, I probably won’t go out and buy one for myself. I love meal planning with my slow cooker, and I’m starting to experiment with ultra-hot Instant Pot recipes, so I don’t want to add yet another kitchen appliance to the mix. But I can understand why others would want to.
A sous vide machine is an excellent kitchen appliance for the home cook who would do anything to achieve a perfectly cooked piece of meat. If you feel like your steak, chicken and pork are already delicious and don’t feel like spending more money on kitchen appliances, then you’re good without one.
Check Out These Super Steak Recipes
Tenderloin Steak DianeFor this classic skillet steak dinner, just sear the steaks in butter and top with a gorgeously silky mushroom cream sauce. It’s elegant and effortless all at once.
Cast-Iron Skillet SteakYou definitely don’t have to keep steak for special occasions. One of the easiest ways to cook it is seared in a cast-iron skillet with or without butter. All you need after that is a nice
leafy salad to complete the meal.
Psst! If you love steak, you need this
custom branding iron for grilled meats.
Steak with Chipotle-Lime ChimichurriChimichurri is a piquant herb sauce that complements steak perfectly. Once you learn how to make the sauce, you'll want to serve it all summer long.
Asian Slaw with SteakYou won’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen with this dish as both the Asian-inspired coleslaw and the grilled steak come together quickly. Just the thing for breezy nights, the colorful combo is perfect for summer gatherings of any size.
Steaks with Mushroom SauceBy using top sirloin, this dish is great for a weeknight dinner for two or four. The rich mushroom-wine sauce brings out the best of the beef-forward flavor, and it tastes great with sides like roasted potatoes and green beans.
Quick Pepper SteakWith a simple sweet and savory sauce, sliced sirloin and fresh bell peppers, this skillet supper comes together in a flash. Serve it with steamed white, brown or cauliflower rice for a fuller meal.
Beef Steaks with Blue CheeseBroil, grill or quickly sear these steaks in a cast-iron pan to get a nice caramelized crust on the outside while keeping the meat tender inside. The size of the steaks, blue cheese topping and croutons can easily be cut in half for smaller portion sizes.
Flank Steak PinwheelsButterfly and flatten a flank steak so there’s a large surface area for this savory red pepper and spinach stuffing. Roll it up, wrap in bacon (yes!) and grill for a few minutes. Once sliced, serve with a delicious creamy blue cheese sauce.
Key West Flank SteakFlank steak is great for the grill, especially with this lime and garlic marinade, and it cooks quickly, just a few minutes per side. After letting it rest, slice against the grain. Need more ideas for this economical cut of beef? Check out some of our other
flank steak recipes.
Zesty Steak SaladCook marinated top sirloin steak for this zesty salad, or feel free to use leftover steak from another meal. While the base is leafy romaine lettuce, add anything else you love to the bowl, from cucumbers and mushrooms to cheese.
Air-Fryer Steak FajitasOf course you can make steak in the air fryer! This marinated flank steak takes less than 10 minutes. While you let it rest, slice avocado, onion and lime wedges for serving.
Mushroom Steak Salad with Walnut VinaigretteThis steak salad is a great date night steak recipe because it’s impressive but easy to throw together for any night of the week. Serve with some crusty bread and a great bottle of wine.
Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak TacosSkirt steak is usually a pretty tough cut with lots of connective tissue. That’s why you want to use something like this beer and lime marinade to tenderize it and add flavor. Like other
grilled steak recipes, a quick sear over the fire is all it takes.
Beef Filets with Portobello SauceThese steaks with a rich and savory portobello mushroom sauce are a perfect meal for two. Complete the meal with zesty potatoes, a leafy salad and a hunk of great bread.
Flank Steak with Cilantro & Blue Cheese ButterOnce you learn a great
steak marinade recipe, you’ll be able to turn even the toughest cut of meat into a delicious dinner. This sweet citrus marinade transforms flank steak into a tender flavorful cut.
Garlic Grilled SteaksElevate your grilled strip or ribeye steaks with this amazing garlic mixture. Have extra? Learn how to repurpose last night’s dinner into one of these amazing
leftover steak recipes.
Citrus Steak SaladThere are so many wonderful flavors in this salad, thanks to fresh greens, mandarin oranges, strawberries and a citrusy vinaigrette. The only thing you need to cook is the steak, and dinner is on the table in no time.
Flank Steak with CouscousFor this recipe, use sirloin steak if you prefer it over flank steak. Both take only minutes to broil and have lots of beefy flavor. Make sure to cut against the grain for the most tender pieces.
Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream CheeseThe sharp peppery flavor of horseradish has always been a great foil for a rich, juicy steak. Blend it with cream cheese, parmesan and parsley for a delicious steak topper, and serve with a classic baked potato.
Teriyaki Steak SkewersThese teriyaki steak skewers will be the hit of your next backyard barbecue. The aroma alone will get everyone’s attention, but once they taste the sweet and savory marinade, they’ll be hooked. You can easily double or triple this recipe for a crowd.
Southwest Steak & PotatoesMake this whole meal on the grill for your next cookout. The steak gets a brush of vinegar and Worcestershire before a rub of zesty spices, and the potatoes taste great with a little char from the fire.
Maple & Blue Cheese SteakA marinade of balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and Dijon adds a ton of flavor to this steak, and it complements the sharp blue cheese topping. Any cut that you’d grill works here, including sirloin, strip or ribeye.
Grilled Steaks with Greek RelishThe sharpness of tomatoes, lemon, onion and feta is the perfect foil for a deliciously rich ribeye. Serve it with this
Creamy Roasted Garlic and Spinach Orzo side dish for a more authentic Mediterranean meal.
Smoky Espresso SteakWith espresso, cocoa and pumpkin pie spice, it may sound like you’re making dessert, but it’s actually a delicious rub that transforms broiled or grilled flat iron steak into a flavor bomb.
Grilled Steaks with Marinated TomatoesTalk about peak summer. Sometimes all you need for a perfectly grilled steak is a side of fresh garden tomatoes marinated in raspberry vinaigrette and fresh herbs and spices. A side of cheesy potatoes or sauteed green beans work, too!
Garlic-Rubbed T-Bones with Burgundy MushroomsPorterhouse or T-bone steaks are great on the grill, especially when rubbed with garlic and served with wine-soaked mushrooms. Take dinner to another level with
creamy twice-baked potatoes and a Caesar salad.
Chili-Rubbed Steak & Bread SaladThe chili-rubbed grilled steak and fresh vegetables make this panzanella-like salad a one-bowl meal. Use thick-cut bread for the cubes so they can soak up all the flavors.
Grilled Ribeyes with Herb ButterWith Dijon and herbs de Provence, this full-flavored marinade practically takes you to the French countryside. After the steaks come off the grill, top with a savory herb butter. For something more American, try our new obsession:
cowboy butter.
Chipotle-Honey Grilled T-BonesFor all the heat lovers out there, these T-bones have a spicy kick. Great on the grill or seared indoors, make these the centerpiece of a Tex Mex-inspired dinner.
Peppered Ribeye SteaksThis peppery DIY steak rub brings out all the beefy flavor of grilled ribeye steaks. Pair it with a
sweet corn and tomato salad for a perfect summer meal.
Grilled Steak PinwheelsEasy to prepare, steak pinwheels make a statement, especially with this savory mushroom filling. It’s a great summertime option when the grill (and the days and nights) are hot and you want to keep the kitchen cool.
Saucy Skillet SteaksButter, Dijon and onion turns an everyday steak dinner into something special. Ribeyes are the choice cut for this steak recipe, but you can do the same with a NY strip or tenderloin; the sauce is even great on chicken or burgers.
Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Scotched MushroomsYou’ve seen the bacon-wrapped filet mignon at the grocery store, but it’s just as easy to make at home. This recipe is perfect for two (yay, date night!), but it can easily be doubled or tripled for a dinner party.
Merlot Filet MignonRemember: when you’re cooking with wine, don’t use the cheap stuff; cook with one you’d like to drink. It makes all the difference in a buttery wine sauce like this.
Chocolate-Chipotle Sirloin SteakCocoa powder won’t make your steak sweet. Unsweetened chocolate adds depth and color to steak. It’s also a perfect complement to smoky chipotle peppers. Here are some other surprising
ingredients that take your steak from good to great.
Steak with Citrus SalsaIn the summer, this lime marinade perks up grilled steaks. In the winter, broiled or pan-seared steaks get a blast of sunshine from citrus salsa.
Skillet Steak SupperBecause everything for this quick and easy meal is cooked in one skillet, prep work and cleanup is a breeze. The delicious wine and mushroom sauce will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen, though.
Ginger Steak Fried RiceTurn leftover rice and steak into a quick fried rice. Broccoli slaw mix and frozen peas make it an easy-peasy weeknight meal.
Spicy Flank SteakSpice up a flank steak with red pepper flakes and chili powder, and then serve with a cool sour cream sauce. If you prefer, grill the steak over medium-high heat rather than broiling.
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Updated: Dec. 01, 2023
