Sous vide is a cooking method that uses circulating, temperature-controlled water around food enclosed in a leak-proof plastic bag. Over time, the food reaches the same temperature as the water, but since it doesn't come in contact with direct heat, it doesn't dry out, and it's much harder to overcook. This recipe gives instructions for cooking a flank steak with a sous vide circulator, with a quick sear after the water bath. Because the temperature is controlled, you can complete other tasks in the 90 minute cook time.
Ingredients
- onion: 0.5 cup (chopped)
- fresh rosemary: 2 Tbsp (minced)
- garlic: 2 Tbsp (minced)
- extra-virgin olive oil: 1 Tbsp
- good quality balsamic vinegar: 1 Tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 Tbsp (to taste)
- flank steak, cut in half: 1 piece (1 pound)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper: (to taste)
Metric Conversion
Stages of cooking
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Fill the water bath container, position circulator, and preheat to 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) according to manufacturer recommendations.
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Combine onion, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender or small food processor; pulse ingredients until smooth.
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Pat flank steak pieces dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Spread onion mixture on both sides of the flank steaks. Place each seasoned flank steak in a 2-quart zip-top freezer bag, squeeze out all the air, and seal the bags.
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When the bath has reached 130 degrees, place bags in the water bath. Secure bags to the side of the bath, so they will not overlap each other or come in contact with the circulator. Alternatively, use a rack in the bottom of the bath to hold the sealed bags. Bags should be in the circulating 130 degree F (54 degrees C) bath for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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About 5 minutes prior to the end of the cook time, set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
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When the cook time is complete, remove flank steak from the bags and place on a broiler pan.
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Broil in the preheated oven until they reach the desired browning, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from oven and tent with aluminum foil for 5 to 10 minutes. The broiler and the foil tent will allow the internal temperature to rise to 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), or medium doneness, when tested with an instant read thermometer.
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Slice steak across the grain of the meat into thin slices for serving. Season with additional Worcestershire sauce, if desired.
