Sous Vide Turkey: The Ultimate Guide (from Kenji)

Sous Vide Turkey: The Perfect Way to Cook a Holiday Turkey

The holidays are coming, and that means it’s time to start thinking about the perfect turkey. If you’re looking for a way to cook a turkey that is moist, juicy, and flavorful, sous vide is the way to go.

Sous vide is a cooking technique that involves vacuum-sealing food in a plastic bag and then cooking it in a water bath at a precise temperature for a long period of time. This slow and gentle cooking method results in meat that is cooked evenly throughout, with no dry or overcooked parts.

For a holiday turkey, sous vide is the perfect way to achieve that perfect balance of juicy meat and crispy skin. The low cooking temperature prevents the turkey from drying out, while the long cooking time allows the flavors to develop and intensify.

In this article, we’ll show you how to sous vide a turkey using Kenji’s method. Kenji is a culinary expert and the author of the popular cookbook “The Food Lab.” His sous vide turkey method is simple to follow and produces consistently delicious results.

So if you’re looking for the perfect way to cook a holiday turkey, sous vide is the way to go. With Kenji’s method, you’ll be able to cook a turkey that is sure to impress your guests.

Here are the steps involved in sous vide turkey:

1. Choose a turkey. You can use any type of turkey for sous vide, but a fresh, young turkey will produce the best results.
2. Prepare the turkey. Rinse the turkey inside and out, and pat it dry. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity.
3. Season the turkey. Season the turkey inside and out with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
4. Vacuum seal the turkey. Place the turkey in a large, food-safe plastic bag. Seal the bag using a vacuum sealer or by using a displacement method.
5. Cook the turkey. Place the sealed bag in a water bath set to 155 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the turkey for 10-12 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Chill the turkey. Remove the turkey from the water bath and place it in a refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours.
7. Carve and serve the turkey. Carve the turkey and serve it with your favorite sides.

Ingredients	Instructions	Notes
1 12- to 14-pound turkey breast, thawed 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon dried sage 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted	Preheat the sous vide bath to 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Season the turkey breast all over with the salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Place the turkey breast in a large zip-top bag. Pour the melted butter over the turkey breast. Seal the bag and place it in the sous vide bath. Cook the turkey breast for 6-8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove the turkey breast from the sous vide bath and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.	The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the turkey breast. If you don’t have a sous vide bath, you can also cook the turkey breast in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Rub the turkey breast with the salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan and roast for 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

What is Sous Vide Cooking?

Sous vide is a cooking technique that involves vacuum-sealing food in a plastic bag and then submerging it in a water bath at a precise temperature for a long period of time. This method of cooking results in food that is evenly cooked, moist, and flavorful.

Sous vide cooking is becoming increasingly popular among home cooks because it is a simple and foolproof way to cook delicious food. With sous vide, you can’t overcook your food, and you can achieve perfect results every time.

How to Sous Vide Turkey Breast

Sous vide turkey breast is a great way to cook a juicy, flavorful Thanksgiving turkey. The long, slow cooking time ensures that the meat is cooked evenly and perfectly, and the vacuum-sealing prevents the meat from drying out.

To sous vide turkey breast, you will need the following ingredients:

* A 4- to 5-pound boneless, skinless turkey breast
* 1 tablespoon kosher salt
* 1 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon onion powder
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 1 teaspoon dried sage
* 1/2 cup dry white wine
* 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Rub the turkey breast all over with the spice mixture.
2. Place the turkey breast in a large zip-top bag. Add the wine and chicken broth to the bag. Seal the bag and place it in a sous vide cooker.
3. Set the sous vide cooker to 155 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the turkey breast for 6 hours.
4. Remove the turkey breast from the sous vide cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Serve the turkey breast with your favorite sides.

Sous vide turkey breast is a delicious and easy way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. The long, slow cooking time ensures that the meat is cooked evenly and perfectly, and the vacuum-sealing prevents the meat from drying out.

If you’re looking for a foolproof way to cook a turkey, sous vide is the way to go. Your family and friends will be impressed with your delicious, moist, and flavorful turkey breast.

Here are some additional tips for sous vide turkey breast:

* Use a good quality vacuum sealer. This will help to prevent the meat from drying out.
* Make sure the water bath is at the correct temperature. If the water is too hot, the meat will overcook. If the water is too cold, the meat will not cook properly.
* Don’t overcook the meat. The long, slow cooking time will ensure that the meat is cooked perfectly.
* Let the meat rest before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the meat will be more tender.

With sous vide turkey breast, you can’t go wrong. Your family and friends will be impressed with your delicious, moist, and flavorful turkey breast.

Tips for sous vide turkey breast

Sous vide turkey breast is a delicious and easy way to cook a turkey breast. Here are a few tips to help you get the best results:

* Use a good quality turkey breast. A fresh, high-quality turkey breast will produce the best results. Look for a turkey breast that is plump and has a good color.
* Trim the turkey breast. Before cooking, trim any excess fat from the turkey breast. This will help to ensure that the turkey breast cooks evenly.
* Season the turkey breast. Season the turkey breast with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices that you like. Be sure to season the turkey breast all over, including the inside.
* Sous vide the turkey breast. Cook the turkey breast in a sous vide bath at 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours. This will ensure that the turkey breast is cooked through but still juicy and tender.
* Let the turkey breast rest. After cooking, let the turkey breast rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the turkey breast to firm up slightly.

Here are a few additional tips for sous vide turkey breast:

* If you are cooking a large turkey breast, you may need to increase the cooking time.
* You can also use sous vide to cook a turkey breast that has been brined.
* Sous vide turkey breast can be served hot or cold.

Recipes for sous vide turkey breast

Here are a few recipes for sous vide turkey breast:

* Basic Sous Vide Turkey Breast

Ingredients:

* 1 (4-pound) turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Trim the turkey breast of any excess fat.
2. Season the turkey breast with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
3. Place the turkey breast in a sous vide bag.
4. Seal the bag and place it in a sous vide bath at 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours.
5. Remove the turkey breast from the sous vide bath and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

* Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Herbs and Garlic

Ingredients:

* 1 (4-pound) turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or sage)
* 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Trim the turkey breast of any excess fat.
2. Season the turkey breast with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
3. In a small bowl, combine the herbs and garlic.
4. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey breast.
5. Place the turkey breast in a sous vide bag.
6. Seal the bag and place it in a sous vide bath at 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours.
7. Remove the turkey breast from the sous vide bath and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

* Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

* 1 (4-pound) turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 cup cranberry sauce

Instructions:

1. Trim the turkey breast of any excess fat.
2. Season the turkey breast with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
3. Place the turkey breast in a sous vide bag.
4. Seal the bag and place it in a sous vide bath at 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours.
5. Remove the turkey breast from the sous vide bath and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
6. Serve the turkey breast with cranberry sauce.

Sous vide turkey breast is a delicious and easy way to cook a turkey breast. With a few simple tips and recipes, you can make a perfect sous vide turkey breast every time.

Question 1: What is sous vide cooking?

Sous vide cooking is a method of cooking food in a sealed bag in a temperature-controlled water bath. This method results in evenly cooked food with a moist and flavorful texture.

Question 2: What are the benefits of sous vide cooking turkey?

There are several benefits to sous vide cooking turkey. First, it is a very precise method of cooking, which ensures that the turkey is cooked evenly throughout. Second, sous vide cooking results in a moist and flavorful turkey, as the meat is cooked in its own juices. Third, sous vide cooking is a relatively hands-off method of cooking, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday without having to constantly check on the turkey.

Question 3: What are the steps involved in sous vide cooking turkey?

The steps involved in sous vide cooking turkey are as follows:

1. Prepare the turkey. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity.
2. Season the turkey. Rub the turkey with a mixture of salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
3. Place the turkey in a sous vide bag. Make sure the bag is large enough to accommodate the turkey and that there is enough room for the water to circulate.
4. Seal the bag. Use a vacuum sealer or a food saver to seal the bag tightly.
5. Place the bag in the sous vide water bath. Set the water bath to the desired temperature and cook the turkey for the specified time.
6. Remove the turkey from the water bath. Carefully remove the turkey from the water bath and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Question 4: What temperature should I cook turkey sous vide?

The recommended temperature for cooking turkey sous vide is 135F. This temperature will result in a juicy and flavorful turkey.

Question 5: How long should I cook turkey sous vide?

The cooking time for turkey sous vide will vary depending on the size of the turkey. A 3-pound turkey will cook in about 2 hours, while a 10-pound turkey will cook in about 4 hours.

Question 6: What can I do with leftover sous vide turkey?

There are many things you can do with leftover sous vide turkey. You can use it to make sandwiches, soups, salads, or casseroles. You can also freeze the leftover turkey for later use.

Question 7: What are some tips for sous vide cooking turkey?

Here are a few tips for sous vide cooking turkey:

* Use a high-quality vacuum sealer to ensure that the bag is sealed tightly.
* Make sure the water bath is at the correct temperature before adding the turkey.
* Cook the turkey for the specified time.
* Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
* Enjoy!

In this article, we have discussed the basics of sous vide turkey cooking, including the equipment you need, how to cook a turkey sous vide, and some tips for success. We have also shared a recipe for a sous vide turkey breast that is sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering.

Sous vide turkey is a great way to cook a moist, flavorful turkey that is perfect for any occasion. It is also a very easy method of cooking, so even if you are not a seasoned chef, you can still create a delicious meal.

If you are looking for a new way to cook turkey, we encourage you to give sous vide cooking a try. You may be surprised at how easy it is and how delicious the results are.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

* Sous vide turkey is cooked in a sealed bag in a water bath at a precise temperature.
* This method results in a moist, flavorful turkey that is evenly cooked throughout.
* The cooking time for a sous vide turkey breast is typically 4-6 hours.
* You can use any type of seasoning or brine you like when cooking sous vide turkey.
* Sous vide turkey is a great way to cook a turkey for any occasion.