Perfect Sous Vide Steak

On April 26, 2024

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If you want savory steak cooked to tender perfection in just over an hour, then seared, try my Perfect Sous Vide Steak with garlic and thyme.

Sous Vide Steak

Imagine a tender steak cooked perfectly from edge to edge, bursting with flavor and so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Whether you prefer your steak rare, medium-rare, or something in between, cooking sous vide ensures that every bite is just as you like it. Don’t worry, we still grill around here. After these steaks have slowly cooked and absorbed all the herby, garlicky goodness, we’ll get them on the grill for a final sear. If you’re ready for the most perfectly cooked steak of your life, then let’s jump in.

Raw steaks next to sprigs of thyme and vacuum sealer.

What is Sous Vide?

Sous vide is a cooking technique that involves vacuum-sealing food, like steaks, in plastic bags and cooking them in temperature-controlled water. By maintaining an exact temperature, sous vide allows for even cooking and prevents overcooking. The result is incredibly tender and flavorful steaks. This method is also the only way Taste Test Todd will consider eating leftover meat.

Why Sous Vide is Perfect for Steak

Sous vide is the ultimate solution for steak lovers who want consistent results. From flavor to texture to ease, here are few reasons sous vide is a great method for cooking steak:

Consistency. You can ensure a consistently cooked steak every time, regardless of the cut you’re using or your desired level of doneness.
Unmatched tenderness. It’s just not possible to achieve the type of tender, juicy texture you get with sous vide by using traditional methods.
Can’t overcook. You can let your steaks cook with the sous vide method for up to 48 hours. You’ll still have tender steak at the exact temperature you want.

Seasoned ribeyes on baking sheet next to vacuum sealer and sous vide container.

Seasonings

While sous vide does wonders for a tender texture, seasoning is key to achieving incredible flavor. If you’re using a high-quality cut of beef like ribeye, then you don’t need to go crazy here. Some of my signature Beef Rub or salt and pepper, and some fresh ingredients, and you’re good to go. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 ribeye steaks
1 Tablespoon Beef Rub
6 sprigs fresh thyme
2 cloves garlic

Preparing Steaks for Sous Vide

Once you’ve properly seasoned your ribeye steaks, the next step is to place them in vacuum-sealed bags or BPA-free zip-top bags with thyme sprigs and smashed garlic cloves. You want to remove as much air as possible if you aren’t vacuum-sealing. The water needs to be in direct contact with the surface of your steaks. Once you’ve got them sealed, then you’re ready to move to the next step.

Ribeyes in sealed bags with garlic bulbs and springs of thyme.

How Long to Sous Vide Steak

With a sous vide precision cooker and a pot or container filled with water, cooking steak to perfection typically takes around an hour. You can leave the steaks in the water bath for up to 48 hours for extra tenderization, but an hour is sufficient for achieving your desired doneness, whether you prefer a rare steak or medium-rare. Use this steak temperatures chart to determine the perfect setting for your desired level of doneness.

Rare: 125 degrees F
Medium Rare: 135 degrees F
Medium: 145 degrees F
Medium Well: 155 degrees F
Well Done: 160 degrees F

Searing Steaks

Sous vide steak is juicy and delicious, but even the most flavorful steak needs a little texture. Sous vide cooking is great for flavor, but to achieve that mouthwatering crust, you want to give your steaks a nice sear. Wipe off any excess herbs after removing your steaks from the vacuum bags, and then sear on your grill or in a cast iron skillet over high heat. This will not only lock in all the beefy flavor, but give you a charred exterior to take your steaks to a whole new level.

Steaks in sealed bags in sous vide container.

How to Sous Vide Steaks

Now that you know all the ins and outs of the sous vide method, it’s time to get your steaks sealed in with your garlic and thyme and slowly rise in temp to perfection.

Set temperature. Fill your sous vide container with water and set the temperature on your sous vide according to your desired level of doneness. You can also achieve this with a pot of water over heat, but it’s less consistent.
Season and seal. Season the steaks with some of my Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub, some salt and pepper, or your favorite steak seasoning, then place steaks in vacuum bags with thyme and garlic and seal.
Sous vide. Place the bagged steaks in the sous vide water bath or pot for 1 hour. As your steaks slowly rise in temperature, they’ll start to absorb the flavors from the seasonings and herbs.
Sear. Once your steaks are cooked through, the next step is getting them seared. The great thing about searing sous vide steaks is they’re already cooked through. You just need to give your steaks 2-3 minutes per side, or until they’ve developed a nice sear to your liking.
Rest and serve. Move your steaks to a serving platter and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice. If you slice too soon, you can end up losing all that tender juiciness you worked so hard to achieve. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy immediately.

Sliced ribeye above whole ribeye next to garlic and thyme.

More Ways to Enjoy Ribeye

Sous vide is an incredible method for preparing perfectly cooked ribeyes, but it’s not the only way. I’ve got dozens more savory steak recipes and cooking methods for you to try next. Here are a few of my personal favorites to get you started:

Barbecue

Perfect Ribeye Steak

Beef

Reverse Sear Ribeye Steak

Beef

Smoked Ribeye Cap Steak

Beef

Resting Steak Butter

Sous Vide Steak Recipe

If you think you’re ready to become a backyard BBQ hero, then give this Sous Vide Steak recipe a try. Give it a 5 star rating if you enjoyed making it, and don’t forget to check out the Hey Grill Hey app for even more recipes, how-to videos, and more.

If you want to stay up to date on all of the latest news in the Hey Grill Hey word, then be sure to follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. We’re always sharing BBQ tips and tricks to help you feed the people you love.

Sliced ribeye above whole ribeye next to garlic and thyme on black surface.

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