How do I use an Instant Pot for sous vide cooking?

Sous vide cooking is a technique that has gained popularity in recent years due to the unique and delicious results it produces. One kitchen gadget that has made sous vide cooking more accessible for home cooks is the Instant Pot (some models).

Step 1: Fill your Instant Pot with water The first step in sous vide cooking with an Instant Pot is to fill it with water. The amount of water you need will depend on the size of your Instant Pot and what you are cooking. As a general rule, fill the pot between one-third to two-thirds full with water.

Step 2: Preheat your Instant Pot Set your Instant Pot to Sous Vide mode and select the temperature you want to cook at. The temperature will depend on what you are cooking. For example, if you are cooking steak, set the temperature between 130°F-135°F (54°C-57°C).

Step 3: Season your food While your Instant Pot preheats, season your food as desired.

Step 4: Vacuum seal your food Place your seasoned food into a vacuum-sealed bag or use a resealable freezer bag and remove as much air as possible by using the water displacement method.

Step 5: Place bag in pot When the preheating process is complete, place the bag containing your food into the pot of hot water making sure it’s completely submerged.

Step 6: Cook time Set a timer for how long you want to cook based on what you’re making and its thickness. There are many guides online around pasteurization times for different types/cuts of meats. We love guides from seriouseats.com For example:

• Salmon fillet (150g), cooked at 125°F (52°C) for approximately 45 minutes.
• Steak (1 inch thick), cooked at 132°F (56°C) for approximately one to two hour.
• Chicken breast (200g), cooked at 145°F (63°C) for approximately two hours.

Step 7: Remove from Instant Pot When the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the bag from the pot and transfer it to an ice bath to cool down quickly. Once cool, remove your food from the bag and dry it off.

Step 8: Sear your food Sous vide cooking produces perfectly cooked meat, but it won’t have the desirable crust/texture. To achieve a perfect crust for your food, sear it in a hot pan with oil or on a grill.

Using an Instant Pot for sous vide cooking is very easy and produces excellent results. Just follow these simple steps and enjoy perfectly cooked, moist and tender meats every time!