If you have been searching for a steak recipe that delivers tender, juicy, and flavorful results every time, look no further than this Sous Vide Honey Soy Garlic Flank Steak Recipe. This dish transforms a humble flank steak into a mouthwatering masterpiece by gently cooking it sous vide to perfection and infusing it with a luscious honey, soy, and garlic marinade. The slow, precise cooking method ensures each bite is succulent and melts in your mouth, while the final quick sear adds a delightful crust for the perfect texture contrast. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple and familiar, yet each one plays an essential role in creating the bold and harmonious flavors and textures that make this dish unforgettable. The combination balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes, while the olive oil lends moisture and richness.
- Flank steak (1 ½-2 pounds): The star cut that benefits tremendously from sous vide cooking to enhance tenderness.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Basic seasonings that highlight and elevate the meat’s natural flavors.
- Neutral oil (1 tablespoon): Avocado or olive oil helps achieve a golden sear without overpowering taste.
- Olive oil (¼ cup): Adds richness to the marinade and helps distribute flavors evenly.
- Soy sauce (¼ cup): The umami powerhouse introducing a deep savory note to the marinade.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Fresh garlic brings aromatic pungency and warmth.
- Honey (2 tablespoons): Lends sweetness and helps develop a caramelized crust during searing.
- Red wine vinegar (1 tablespoon): Offers a touch of acidity to balance the richness and brighten the overall taste.
How to Make Sous Vide Honey Soy Garlic Flank Steak Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Sous Vide Bath
Begin by filling a large pot or heat-resistant container with water, then attach your sous vide immersion circulator. Set the temperature to 130° Fahrenheit for the perfect medium-rare finish. Make sure your pot is deep enough so the water level fits between the minimum and maximum marks on your device for consistent cooking.
Step 2: Season the Flank Steak
Pat the flank steak dry with paper towels—this helps it absorb seasonings better and ensures a good sear later. Generously season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. This simple step is crucial for enhancing the steak’s natural flavors before it meets the marinade.
Step 3: Mix and Add the Marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, and red wine vinegar. This magical mixture gives the steak its irresistible sweet, savory, and tangy personality. Place your seasoned steak in a large food-safe vacuum bag, pour the marinade over it, and make sure the steak is fully coated to soak in these delicious flavors as it cooks.
Step 4: Seal the Bag and Submerge
You can use a vacuum sealer for the tightest fit, but if you don’t have one, the water displacement method works perfectly. Slowly lower the bag into the warm water bath, letting the pressure push out all the air before sealing completely. Fully submerge the bag in the water so the steak cooks evenly over two hours.
Step 5: Sear for a Perfect Finish
Once your sous vide honey soy garlic flank steak has cooked, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Add a tablespoon of neutral oil to the pan. Remove the steak from the bag, letting any excess marinade drip off, and sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side. This final step creates that addicting golden-brown crust which contrasts beautifully with the tender interior.
Step 6: Rest and Slice
Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board before slicing. This rest period locks in juices for maximum tenderness. Be sure to slice against the grain—it makes all the difference if you want every bite to be melt-in-your-mouth tender.
How to Serve Sous Vide Honey Soy Garlic Flank Steak Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like chopped scallions, toasted sesame seeds, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro brighten up the dish visually and offer complementary fresh flavors. A light drizzle of extra marinade reduced into a glaze can add an irresistible sheen and deeper taste dimension.
Side Dishes
This flank steak pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve alongside steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice to soak up the delicious juices. Roasted or stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, snap peas, or baby carrots, make for colorful and healthy companions. For a refreshing touch, try a crisp Asian-style cucumber salad with rice vinegar and chili flakes.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual meal, slice the steak thin and pile it into warm tortillas for delectable steak tacos. Or arrange the slices over a bed of leafy greens with avocado and pickled radishes for a satisfying steak salad. You can even serve it alongside noodle bowls for a hearty lunch that bursts with flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the slices separated or layered with parchment paper helps prevent sticking and preserves texture.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked sous vide flank steak for up to 2 months. Wrap the cooled steak tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag to protect it from freezer burn. When correctly thawed, the steak retains much of its juicy tenderness.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently to avoid drying the steak out. A quick pan sear in a hot skillet with a splash of oil, or reheating sous vide at the original cooking temperature for 30-45 minutes will revive the steak beautifully without overcooking.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While flank steak is ideal for this marinade and sous vide method, you can experiment with skirt steak or hanger steak. Just adjust cooking times slightly if the cut is thicker or thinner.
What if I don’t have a vacuum sealer?
No worries—the water displacement method works really well. Just seal the bag about halfway, lower it into the water bath slowly to force air out, then seal completely once the air is out.
Can I make this recipe gluten free?
Yes, simply swap the regular soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos to keep the flavor intact without gluten.
Is it safe to cook steak at 130° Fahrenheit for 2 hours?
Definitely! This temperature and timing is perfect for medium-rare doneness and ensures the steak becomes tender without losing moisture. Sous vide cooking is designed exactly for creating safe, consistent results.
Can I prepare the marinade in advance?
Yes, the marinade can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge. This also allows flavors to develop even more before mixing with the steak ahead of cooking.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Sous Vide Honey Soy Garlic Flank Steak Recipe, it will become one of your go-to dishes for impressing family and friends with minimal fuss but maximum flavor. The combination of tender, juicy steak infused with sweet and savory goodness and finished with a crisp sear is simply unbeatable. Dive in and enjoy the delicious magic that sous vide cooking brings!
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Sous Vide Honey Soy Garlic Flank Steak Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This perfectly cooked sous vide flank steak is infused with a flavorful honey soy and garlic marinade, cooked gently for two hours to achieve tender, juicy meat with an ideal medium-rare finish. The steak is then quickly seared for a beautiful golden crust, making it an elegant and delicious main dish suitable for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
For the Flank Steak
- 1 ½–2 pounds flank steak
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado oil, olive oil, etc.)
For the Marinade
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or gluten-free alternative)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey (or keto-friendly substitute)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare Sous Vide Setup: Fill a large pot or heat-resistant container with water. Attach sous vide immersion circulator and set temperature to 130°F (54°C). Ensure water level is between the immersion circulator’s minimum and maximum marks.
- Season Steak: Place flank steak on a cutting board. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer steak to a large food-safe sealable bag.
- Make Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, and red wine vinegar until fully combined. Pour the marinade evenly over the steak in the sealable bag.
- Seal Bag: Remove as much air as possible from the bag using a vacuum sealer or employ the water displacement method by partially sealing the bag and submerging it in warm water to push out air, then seal completely.
- Cook Steak Sous Vide: Fully submerge the sealed bag in the preheated water bath. Cook for 2 hours. Use weights if necessary to keep the bag completely under water for even cooking.
- Preheat Skillet: After cooking, remove the bag from the water bath. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add neutral oil and swirl to coat the pan evenly. Wait until oil is shimmering and hot.
- Sear Steak: Open the bag and carefully remove the flank steak, letting excess marinade drip back into the bag. Place the steak into the hot skillet and sear 1-2 minutes on each side until a golden brown crust forms.
- Rest and Slice: Transfer the seared steak to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Slice against the grain to ensure tenderness. Serve warm with preferred sides.
Notes
- Water Displacement Method: If no vacuum sealer is available, seal the bag halfway, slowly submerge it in warm water to force air out, then seal completely before cooking.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free soy sauce or substitute with coconut aminos or lite tamari for a gluten-free marinade.
- Keto Adaptation: Replace honey with keto-friendly honey alternatives or sweeteners like keto maple-flavored syrup to keep the recipe keto-compliant.
- Temperature Note: Cooking at 130°F yields a medium-rare steak. Adjust sous vide temperature if you prefer your steak more or less done.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sous Vide
- Cuisine: American
