Sous Vide Turkey Confit: The Easiest and Most Delicious Way to Cook Turkey

Sous Vide Turkey Confit

Turkey confit is a classic French dish that is made by slowly cooking a turkey leg in its own fat. The result is a tender, flavorful, and juicy turkey that is perfect for a special occasion.

Confit is a cooking technique that involves cooking food in its own fat at a low temperature for a long period of time. This allows the fat to slowly penetrate the meat, resulting in a moist and flavorful dish.

Sous vide is a method of cooking that involves vacuum-sealing food in a plastic bag and then cooking it in a water bath at a precise temperature. This method of cooking results in evenly cooked food with a great texture.

When you combine the two techniques of confit and sous vide, you get a turkey confit that is simply amazing. The turkey is cooked to perfection, and the meat is so tender that it literally falls off the bone.

This sous vide turkey confit recipe is perfect for a holiday meal or any special occasion. It is easy to make, and the results are sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients Instructions Notes
  • 1 5-pound turkey leg
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 gallon water
  1. In a large bowl, combine the salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.
  2. Rub the turkey leg all over with the spice mixture.
  3. Place the turkey leg in a large zip-top bag.
  4. Pour the water into the bag, making sure to cover the turkey leg completely.
  5. Seal the bag and place it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, or up to 48 hours.
  6. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
  7. Remove the turkey leg from the bag and pat it dry.
  8. Place the turkey leg in a roasting pan and cover it with foil.
  9. Cook the turkey leg for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
  • The turkey leg can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before serving.
  • Serve the turkey leg with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a green salad.

What is sous vide turkey confit?

Sous vide turkey confit is a cooking technique that involves cooking turkey legs or thighs in a vacuum-sealed bag in a water bath at a low temperature for an extended period of time. This results in a moist, flavorful turkey that is fall-apart tender.

History of sous vide turkey confit

The technique of sous vide cooking has been around for centuries, but it was only recently popularized by French chef Georges Pralus in the 1970s. Pralus used sous vide cooking to create a more consistent and flavorful version of confit, a traditional French dish made by slow-cooking meat in its own fat.

Confit is a French term that means “preserved,” and it refers to the process of cooking meat in its own fat to prevent it from spoiling. Traditionally, confit is made with duck legs or thighs, but it can also be made with other types of meat, such as pork, lamb, or goose.

The process of making confit is relatively simple. The meat is first cured in salt and spices, then it is slowly cooked in its own fat for several hours. This results in a moist, flavorful meat that is easy to shred and eat.

Sous vide turkey confit is a variation on the traditional confit technique. The main difference is that sous vide cooking uses a water bath to cook the meat, rather than fat. This results in a more evenly cooked product that is less likely to dry out.

Ingredients for sous vide turkey confit

The ingredients for sous vide turkey confit are simple:

* Turkey legs or thighs
* Salt
* Pepper
* Garlic cloves
* Fresh thyme sprigs
* Bay leaves
* Olive oil
* Water

Equipment for sous vide turkey confit

The main piece of equipment you need for sous vide cooking is a sous vide immersion circulator. This device heats water to a precise temperature and circulates it around the food, ensuring that it cooks evenly.

You will also need a vacuum sealer and some vacuum-sealable bags. The vacuum sealer helps to remove air from the bag, which prevents the meat from drying out during cooking.

Finally, you will need a large pot or container that is large enough to hold the water bath.

How to make sous vide turkey confit

To make sous vide turkey confit, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Prepare the turkey legs or thighs. Rinse the turkey legs or thighs and pat them dry. Trim any excess fat.
2. Season the turkey legs or thighs. Rub the turkey legs or thighs with salt, pepper, garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaves.
3. Place the turkey legs or thighs in a vacuum-sealable bag. Add olive oil to the bag and seal it tightly.
4. Cook the turkey legs or thighs in a water bath. Set the sous vide immersion circulator to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the bag of turkey legs or thighs in the water bath and cook for 24 hours.
5. Remove the turkey legs or thighs from the water bath. Carefully remove the bag of turkey legs or thighs from the water bath and open it.
6. Shred the turkey legs or thighs. Use two forks to shred the turkey legs or thighs.
7. Serve the turkey legs or thighs. Serve the turkey legs or thighs immediately or store them in the refrigerator for later.

Tips for making sous vide turkey confit

Here are a few tips for making sous vide turkey confit:

* Use a good quality turkey. The best results will be achieved with a fresh, high-quality turkey.
* Be sure to season the turkey legs or thighs well. The seasonings will help to flavor the meat and prevent it from drying out.
* Use a vacuum sealer to remove air from the bag. This will help to prevent the meat from drying out during cooking.
* Cook the turkey legs or thighs at a low temperature for an extended period of time. This will result in a moist, flavorful turkey that is fall-apart tender.
* Shred the turkey legs or thighs before serving. This will make them easier to eat.
* Serve the turkey legs or thighs immediately or store them in the refrigerator for later.

Common mistakes to avoid when making sous vide turkey confit

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when making sous vide turkey confit:

* Using a low-quality turkey. The best results will be achieved with a fresh, high-quality turkey.
* Not seasoning

3. Benefits of sous vide turkey confit

Sous vide turkey confit is a delicious and flavorful way to cook turkey. The long, slow cooking process results in a moist, tender turkey that is infused with flavor.

Here are some of the benefits of sous vide turkey confit:

* Moist and tender. The long, slow cooking process allows the turkey to cook evenly and retain all of its moisture. This results in a turkey that is moist and tender, even when cooked to a higher temperature.
* Juicy and flavorful. The sous vide cooking process allows the flavors of the herbs, spices, and other ingredients to penetrate deep into the turkey. This results in a turkey that is flavorful and juicy from edge to edge.
* Easy to cook. Sous vide turkey confit is very easy to cook. Simply place the turkey in a sous vide bag, add the desired herbs, spices, and other ingredients, and cook in a sous vide bath for the desired amount of time.
* Minimal clean-up. Sous vide turkey confit creates very little mess. The turkey is cooked in a sealed bag, so there is no need to worry about spills or splatters. This makes cleanup quick and easy.

4. Where to buy sous vide turkey confit?

Sous vide turkey confit can be purchased online or at select brick-and-mortar stores.

Online retailers that sell sous vide turkey confit:

* Sous Vide Supreme sells a variety of sous vide turkey confit products, including whole turkeys, legs, and breasts.
* Anova Culinary also sells a variety of sous vide turkey confit products, including whole turkeys, legs, and breasts.
* ChefSteps sells a sous vide turkey confit kit that includes a whole turkey, herbs, spices, and a sous vide immersion circulator.

Brick-and-mortar stores that sell sous vide turkey confit:

* Whole Foods Market sometimes carries sous vide turkey confit in its stores.
* Sprouts Farmers Market sometimes carries sous vide turkey confit in its stores.
* Kroger sometimes carries sous vide turkey confit in its stores.

It is important to note that sous vide turkey confit is not as widely available as other types of turkey products. However, it is becoming more popular, and it is likely that more retailers will begin to carry it in the future.

Sous vide turkey confit is a delicious and flavorful way to cook turkey. It is moist, tender, juicy, and flavorful. Sous vide turkey confit is easy to cook and clean up, and it can be purchased online or at select brick-and-mortar stores.

What is sous vide turkey confit?

Sous vide turkey confit is a cooking technique that involves submerging a turkey leg or thigh in a flavorful liquid (such as duck fat, olive oil, or stock) and cooking it at a low temperature for an extended period of time. This results in a moist, flavorful turkey that is melt-in-your-mouth tender.

What are the benefits of sous vide turkey confit?

There are several benefits to cooking turkey confit sous vide, including:

* Moisture: The low cooking temperature and long cooking time help to retain moisture in the turkey, resulting in a juicy, flavorful dish.
* Flavor: The flavorful liquid that the turkey is cooked in infuses the meat with flavor, resulting in a rich and delicious dish.
* Convenience: Sous vide turkey confit can be prepared ahead of time and then reheated when you’re ready to eat. This makes it a great option for busy cooks or those who are entertaining guests.

How do I make sous vide turkey confit?

To make sous vide turkey confit, you will need:

* A sous vide cooker
* A large zip-top bag
* A turkey leg or thigh
* Flavorful liquid (such as duck fat, olive oil, or stock)
* Salt and pepper

1. Season the turkey. Season the turkey leg or thigh with salt and pepper.
2. Place the turkey in the bag. Place the turkey leg or thigh in a large zip-top bag.
3. Add the flavorful liquid. Add the flavorful liquid to the bag, making sure to cover the turkey completely.
4. Seal the bag. Seal the bag using a vacuum sealer or by carefully pressing out the air and then sealing the bag closed.
5. Cook the turkey. Cook the turkey in the sous vide cooker at 185F (85C) for 24 hours.
6. Remove the turkey from the bag. Remove the turkey from the bag and pat it dry with paper towels.
7. Carve and serve. Carve the turkey and serve immediately.

How long does it take to cook sous vide turkey confit?

Sous vide turkey confit cooks for 24 hours at 185F (85C).

Can I cook a whole turkey sous vide?

Yes, you can cook a whole turkey sous vide. However, it is important to note that the cooking time will be longer than for a turkey leg or thigh. A whole turkey will take approximately 48 hours to cook at 185F (85C).

What are some tips for making sous vide turkey confit?

Here are a few tips for making sous vide turkey confit:

* Use a high-quality turkey leg or thigh. The quality of the turkey will make a big difference in the final dish.
* Season the turkey well. The seasonings will help to flavor the turkey and make it more flavorful.
* Use a flavorful liquid. The liquid that you use to cook the turkey will impart its flavor into the meat.
* Cook the turkey for the correct amount of time. The cooking time is important to ensure that the turkey is cooked through.
* Let the turkey rest before carving. Letting the turkey rest before carving will allow the juices to redistribute and will result in a more juicy and flavorful dish.

What are some common mistakes people make when making sous vide turkey confit?

Here are a few common mistakes people make when making sous vide turkey confit:

* Not using a high-quality turkey leg or thigh. Using a low-quality turkey will result in a dry and flavorless dish.
* Not seasoning the turkey well. The seasonings are what will give the turkey flavor, so it is important to season it well.
* Using a bland liquid. The liquid that you use to cook the turkey will impart its flavor into the meat, so it is important to use a flavorful liquid.
* Not cooking the turkey for the correct amount of time. The cooking time is important to ensure that the turkey is cooked through.
* Not letting the turkey rest before carving. Letting the turkey rest before carving will allow the juices to redistribute and will result in a more juicy and flavorful dish.

sous vide turkey confit is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The long, slow cooking process results in a turkey that is fall-apart tender and flavorful. The garlic, herbs, and spices infuse the meat with their delicious flavors, and the rendered fat creates a rich and flavorful sauce. This dish is sure to impress your guests!

Here are a few key takeaways from this article:

* Sous vide turkey confit is a great way to cook a turkey for a special occasion.
* The long, slow cooking process results in a turkey that is fall-apart tender and flavorful.
* The garlic, herbs, and spices infuse the meat with their delicious flavors.
* The rendered fat creates a rich and flavorful sauce.

This dish is sure to impress your guests!

Author Profile

Mike Thompson
Mike Thompson
Hello, fellow turkey enthusiasts! I'm Mike Thompson, a proud resident of the picturesque state of Missouri, renowned for its thriving turkey population and favorable hunting conditions. For over a decade, I've roamed the woods, valleys, and peaks of our beautiful state, learning every nook, cranny, and secret that turkey hunting has to offer. My track record? Well, let's just say I've bagged more turkeys than there are days in November, and each hunt has added a story to my ever-growing book of experiences.

However, as much as I love the thrill of the hunt, what truly fuels my passion is the joy of sharing my knowledge with others. That's why I created this platform. This site is not just a testament to my journey but a beacon for all those who are looking to embark on their own turkey hunting adventures. Whether you're a beginner eager to get started or a seasoned pro seeking advanced tips, you'll find a wealth of information here.

From understanding turkey behavior, tracking techniques, and the best equipment to use, to the do's and don'ts of turkey hunting, this site is a comprehensive guide to all things turkey. So, strap on your boots, pick up your gear, and let's embark on a journey together into the world of turkey hunting. Welcome to my site, and happy hunting!