Sous vide steak is a delicious way to jazz up a meal.
It’s also convenient, low maintenance, and fantastic for a busy lifestyle.
But does it work with frozen meat?
And more importantly, how long will it take to sous vide frozen steak?
We’ve got all the answers coming your way.
Table of contents
Why Should I Bother With Sous Vide Frozen Steak?
There are several advantages when it comes to cooking steak that’s been frozen.
It is much cheaper to buy meat in bulk and great for meal planning.
It also doesn’t need you to constantly watch the steak cook or worry about expiration dates.
What Cuts Of Steak Can I Sous Vide?
You can sous vide ribeye, tenderloin, strip, London broil, sirloin, filet mignon, T-bone, beef shanks, hanger, and everything between!
Each piece of meat will have different cooking times, but the sous vide process is always the same.
Can I Cook Frozen Steak Without Defrosting It First?
Yes, you can cook frozen steak without defrosting it first!
One of the joys of sous vide cooking is that there is no need to defrost.
Simply, take your frozen steak out of the freezer and pop it into the sous vide bath. There is no need to tenderize the steak as the sous vide does that.
How To Sous Vide Frozen Steak
There are many different recipes out there for sous vide steak.
But the method of cooking is pretty much the same.
We’ve outlined the traditional method for how to sous vide frozen steak below.
9 Steps for Sous Vide Frozen Steak
Step 1: Set up your sous vide precision cooker and container of water. Set your temperature.
Step 2: Remove steak from the freezer. Season steak if not already done so and return to a freezer bag.
Step 3: Place bag in the water bath (make sure entire steak is submerged in the water).
Step 4: Set your timer and check steak in 1 hour. Repeat until the steak is cooked.
Step 5: After cooking has finished, turn off the temperature. Let meat rest for 10 minutes and sit in the bathwater.
Step 6: Remove the bag and pat steak dry on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 7: Season with salt and pepper.
Step 8: For an amazing sear transfer steak to a skillet over medium heat. Cook on each side for 1 minute.
Step 9: Remove from heat. Slice against the grain and serve!
How Long Does It Take?
A good rule of thumb is to add an extra hour on top of cooking time.
For example, a recipe asks you to sous vide steak for 2 hours.
So for frozen steak, your minimum cooking time will be 3 hours.
Thicker steak tends to have a longer cook time so allow extra time for a tender steak.
What If I Sous Vide My Steak Too Long?
The good news is, you can’t overcook meat with sous vide.
The bad news is, that the meat will get mushy if it’s left too long.
Avoid leaving the beef in the cooker for longer than four hours at a time.
What Cooking Temperature Should I Be Aiming For?
We recommend a temperature range between 130-135 F.
Your preferred level of doneness will also determine your temperature settings.
Recipes differ so always check before cooking.
Can You Marinade Frozen Steak?
Yes, you can.
We recommend packaging your steak with your marinade, or seasonings before freezing it.
Alternatively, you can season before you cook steaks in the sous vide bath.
Seasoning Ideas
If you’re stuck on how to flavor your flawless steak, here are some ideas to get you started.
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
- Fresh Garlic
- Garlic Salt
- Shallots
- Fresh Herbs (parsley, rosemary sprigs, fresh thyme, etc.)
- Sesame Oil
- Jalapeños
- Chipotle
- Spice Rubs
Sous vide tends to make an incredibly tender and juicy steak.
Feel free to experiment with seasoning, although not a lot is needed to bring out a flavorful steak.
Do I Need To Worry About Vacuum Sealing?
Nope.
A regular zipper-lock bag is perfect for frozen steak.
Go for bags that are food-grade freezer style to ensure food juices don’t leak.
Do I Need To Replace The Packaging?
After removing your steak from the freezer, check the food storage bag to see if it’s leaked.
If it has, you will need to repackage it before putting it in the sous vide bath.
Not all packaging is suitable for sous vide.
This might mean you have to swap out the packaging.
Will The Taste Change If I Cook It From Frozen?
No, the taste won’t change.
Your meat will be just as delicious as a fresh steak.
But, make sure it doesn’t get freezer burn.
This will make it much tougher to eat.
Will The Texture Change If I Cook It From Frozen?
Probably not.
We haven’t noticed any major differences in texture when cooking from frozen.
Just make sure that the steak thaws completely in the sous vide bath.
Other Frozen Foods You Can Sous Vide
There are plenty of other options out there that can also be cooked sous vide.
Here are some ideas for your next meal.
- Salmon
- Tri Tip
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Pork Chops
- Carrots
- Green Beans
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Desserts
Sous vide frozen steak is convenient, cost-efficient, and requires minimal effort.
It doesn’t take long to create the perfect steak and a healthy meal!
Are sous vide frozen steak a personal favorite in your home?
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I am head taste tester at Simply Meat Smoking! I love it grilling, smoking, and getting out in the yard with the kids! The family also love to test all my recipes (especially my EXTRA CRISPY pulled pork, smoky pork loin, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill)
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling adventures with you!
You can read more on our About Us page.
Hungry For More?
