Everything You Need to Know About Sous Vide Cooking

Everything You Need to Know About Sous Vide Cooking is a medium American recipe that serves 2. 620 calories per serving. Recipe by America's Test Kitchen on YouTube.

Prep: 13 min | Cook: 2 hrs 10 min | Total: 2 hrs 38 min

Cost: $25.70 total, $12.85 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces Ribeye Steak (about 1.5‑inch thick, ~12 oz each)
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (evenly season both sides)
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (freshly cracked for best flavor)
  • 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme (adds aromatic flavor in the bag)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (helps seal the bag and adds flavor)
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (for finishing the pan sauce)
  • 1 piece Shallot (minced, added to pan sauce)
  • 0.25 cup Red Wine (dry red wine for deglazing)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Garlic Powder (optional, safe for sous vide)

Instructions

  1. Season the Steaks

    Pat the ribeye steaks dry, then season both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, and optional garlic powder.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Bag the Steaks

    Place each steak in a Ziploc freezer‑bag. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 sprig thyme per bag. Use the water‑displacement method to remove as much air as possible, then seal the bag.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Sous Vide Cook

    Set the immersion circulator to 130°F (54°C) and submerge the bagged steaks. Cook for 2 hours.

    Time: PT2H

    Temperature: 130°F

  4. Prepare for Searing

    Remove the bags from the bath. Pour the juices into a small bowl (reserve for sauce). Pat the steaks completely dry with paper towels.

    Time: PT3M

  5. Sear the Steaks

    Heat a cast‑iron skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and when shimmering, sear each side of the steak 45‑60 seconds until deep brown. Add a tablespoon butter and baste while turning the steak to brown the edges.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: very hot

  6. Make the Pan Sauce

    Reduce heat to medium. Add a little remaining butter and the minced shallot to the skillet; sauté 15 seconds. Add minced thyme, then deglaze with ¼ cup red wine, scraping up browned bits. Pour in the reserved sous‑vide juices, simmer until reduced by half, then whisk in the remaining butter. Adjust seasoning.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: medium

  7. Rest and Serve

    Let the steaks rest for 2‑3 minutes, then slice against the grain. Drizzle with pan sauce and serve immediately.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
620
Protein
45 g
Carbohydrates
2 g
Fat
45 g
Fiber
0 g

Dietary info: Gluten-Free, High-Protein

Allergens: Dairy

Last updated: March 31, 2026

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Everything You Need to Know About Sous Vide Cooking

Recipe by America's Test Kitchen

A foolproof method for perfectly cooked ribeye steak using sous vide, finished with a quick sear and a simple red‑wine pan sauce. The steak stays juicy and evenly pink from edge to edge, while the sauce adds bright herb and wine flavor.

MediumAmericanServes 2

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Source Video
23m
Prep
2h 5m
Cook
18m
Cleanup
2h 46m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$25.70
Total cost
$12.85
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Seasoning the steak evenly before bagging
  • Removing as much air as possible from the Ziploc bag
  • Patting the steak completely dry before searing
  • Achieving a deep brown crust during the sear
  • Using the reserved sous‑vide juices to build a flavorful pan sauce

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can splatter; use tongs and keep face away from the pan.
  • Ensure the bag is sealed properly to prevent water from entering the food.
  • Do not place raw garlic in the sous‑vide bag; it can create an anaerobic environment that encourages botulism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of sous vide ribeye steak in American cuisine?

A

Sous vide was first embraced by high‑end American restaurants to achieve precise doneness and consistency. Ribeye, a classic American cut, became a showcase for the technique because the method preserves its rich marbling while delivering a perfect medium‑rare interior.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of ribeye steak in American cooking?

A

In the Midwest, ribeye is often grilled with a simple salt‑and‑pepper rub. In the West Coast, chefs may add herb‑infused butter or a chimichurri sauce. The sous vide version adds a modern, precision‑cooking twist while keeping the classic flavor profile.

cultural
Q

How is sous vide ribeye steak traditionally served in American fine‑dining restaurants?

A

Restaurants typically serve the steak sliced, brushed with a beurre maître d'hôtel or a red‑wine reduction, and accompanied by seasonal vegetables or a potato dish. The focus is on the steak’s uniform pink color and buttery texture.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is sous vide ribeye steak traditionally associated with in the United States?

A

Ribeye is a popular choice for holiday meals, birthday steaks, and special dinner parties because it feels luxurious yet is easy to prepare perfectly with sous vide, reducing the stress of cooking for guests.

cultural
Q

What makes sous vide ribeye steak special or unique in American cuisine?

A

The technique allows the steak to stay at the exact target temperature throughout, eliminating the guesswork of timing and preventing overcooking. This results in a steak that is uniformly pink, exceptionally juicy, and retains more of its natural flavor.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making sous vide ribeye steak?

A

Common errors include not removing enough air from the bag, which slows heat transfer; searing the steak while it’s still wet, leading to steam instead of a crust; and cooking at too high a temperature, which can make the meat mushy.

technical
Q

Why does this sous vide ribeye steak recipe use a post‑cook sear instead of searing before bagging?

A

Searing after the sous vide cook creates a crust in just a minute or two because the interior is already at the perfect temperature. Pre‑searing would add an extra cooking step and could overcook the outer layer.

technical
Q

Can I make sous vide ribeye steak ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. After the 2‑hour sous vide bath, let the steaks cool in an ice bath, then refrigerate in the sealed bag for up to 24 hours. Reheat gently in a 130°F water bath before the final sear.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when making sous vide ribeye steak?

A

The steak should feel uniformly firm yet yielding to gentle pressure, with a deep pink color from edge to edge. After searing, the exterior should have a caramelized, dark brown crust without blackened spots.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel America’s Test Kitchen specialize in?

A

America’s Test Kitchen produces rigorously tested, science‑based cooking videos and cookbooks that focus on reliable, repeatable recipes for home cooks, often explaining the why behind each technique.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel America’s Test Kitchen’s approach to sous vide cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

America’s Test Kitchen emphasizes precise temperature control, safety tips (like avoiding raw garlic in bags), and step‑by‑step troubleshooting, whereas many other channels may gloss over the technical details of bag sealing and water‑bath management.

channel

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