If you’re looking for a foolproof way to cook the perfect steak, look no further than the sous vide cooking method. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the advantages of cooking steak using the sous vide method.
Sous vide cooking is one of the latest trends in the culinary world, and for good reason – it produces some of the most delicious and melt-in-your-mouth steaks you’ll ever taste. But what is sous vide cooking, exactly?
What is sous vide?
Sous vide is a method of cooking that uses a device to heat water and then circulate it around the food at a consistent temperature. This allows for more precise control over the cooking process, which results in dishes that are more flavorful and tend to melt in your mouth. Although the technique was initially developed by chefs as a way to cook more efficiently, with the advent of affordable immersion circulators like Anova Culinary’s Precision Cooker, sous vide has become popular among home cooks as well.
What are some of the advantages of cooking a steak sous vide?
Sous vide offers many great advantages for anyone looking to cook steak and do it right. Here’s a list of advantages you can expect when you sous vide a steak:
- More flavorful: Steaks cooked sous vide tend to be more flavorful. The reason for this is that the steak is cooked slowly and at a low temperature, which allows for the flavors to develop as it cooks in its own juices.
- More tender: Sous vide steaks are also more tender than those cooked using other methods. This is because the meat is cooked slowly and evenly, resulting in a steak that’s melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Nearly impossible to overcook: Cooking at an even and slow temperature helps to prevent overcooking, so you can expect perfectly cooked steak every time.
- Easier to cook thick cuts of steak: This method of cooking steak lends itself to a more consistent and reliable result with thicker cuts of steak. If you’re looking to cook a thick cut steak, sous vide is the way to go.
- No need for butter or olive oil: While these are commonly used for cooking steaks on a grill, I’ve found there is no need when you sous vide. Skip the excess calories when cooking a steak sous vide.
So there you have it – some of the advantages of cooking steak using the sous vide method.
I recommend seasoning with pepper and garlic salt. Then cook at 120-130 degrees for 1 1/2-2 hours sous vide, and follow up with a reverse sear on the grill for a couple minutes. This will help get the fat rendered and give you some grill marks.
What are some of the disadvantages of cooking a steak sous vide?
While there are many great advantages to cooking a steak in this way, there are some potential disadvantages as well. Some of the disadvantages include:
- It takes longer to cook: One of the main disadvantages of this cooking method is that it can take a long time to cook – anywhere from one to two hours, depending on the thickness of your steak. So, you need to plan ahead.
- You need to purchase equipment: In order to cook sous vide, you’ll need some specialized equipment. This includes an immersion circulator, food grade plastic bags, and a vacuum sealer (if you don’t already have one). The good news is that once you have this equipment, it can be used for other recipes as well.
Summary
All in all, sous vide cooking offers some great advantages for those looking to cook the perfect steak. While there are some potential disadvantages, such as the longer cook time and need for specialized equipment, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. So, if you’re looking to cook a steak that’s flavorful, tender, and juicy, give sous vide a try. You won’t be disappointed!
What are your thoughts on cooking steak sous vide? Have you tried it? Let us know in the comments below.