"Don't Stop The Love" Sous Vide Flat Iron Steak with Basil Tomatillo Salsa

What's up my peeps! Today, we're gonna talk about one of my favorite ways to cook steak: sous vide. Now, I know what you're thinking - "Sous what?" But trust me, once you try it, you'll never go back to your old ways of cooking steak.

And when it comes to sous vide, one cut of meat that really shines is the flat iron steak. This tender, juicy cut is perfect for sous vide cooking, and with a little seasoning and some time in the water bath, you'll have a steak that's cooked to perfection every time. So fire up those immersion circulators, and let's get cookin'!

Steak should be easy and uncomplicated, but because stakes are high (pun intended) we tend to overthink thinks when cooking steak at home. The remedy is a steak seasoned simply with salt and pepper, cooked via sous vide method and then seared. The results are a perfectly cooked steak; juicy tender center and a caramelized exterior crust that seals in all that great flavor.

What is sous vide cooking?

Sous vide cooking is a method of cooking food in which the food is vacuum-sealed in a bag and then cooked in a water bath at a precise temperature. This technique allows for precise control over the temperature, resulting in perfectly cooked food that is evenly cooked throughout. Sous vide cooking is popular for cooking meats, but can also be used for vegetables, eggs, and even desserts. Beware steaks cooked sous vide result in that intense beef flavor.

What is flat iron steak

Flat iron steak is a cut of beef that comes from the shoulder of the cow. It is a flavorful, tender cut of meat that is well-marbled with fat and has a distinctive shape that resembles an old-fashioned flat iron. Flat iron steak is often considered to be a cheaper alternative to more expensive cuts like filet mignon or ribeye, but it is just as delicious when prepared properly. It can be grilled, pan-seared, or cooked using the sous vide method.

Flat iron steak is also commonly known by a few other names, including butler's steak, top blade steak, or oyster blade steak. The name "butler's steak" comes from the idea that this cut of meat was traditionally reserved for the butler or cook in wealthy households, as it was considered too flavorful and tender for the main dining room.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with Flat Iron Steak)

Keith Sweat's "Don't Stop The Love" has that heavy deep bass and pairs with steak like a big body cabernet sauvignon.

Ingredients Needed for Cooking Flat Iron Steak

I’m of the mindset that steak should be a 3 ingredient affair - steak, salt, and pepper. Anything more beyond your oil or fat of choice is excess and non-essential to a great steak. The hidden flavor ingredient is “temperature”.

• Steak
• Kosher Salt
• Pepper
• Olive Oil or canola oil

This recipe came together in my mind during a trip with my daughter to my local butcher shop, Salt and Time. I had just received my new Sous Vide machine and was looking to use it as soon as possible. My daughter at the time was trying to convert me to veganism, and my best retort was I love steak.

How To Cook Flat Iron Steak Sous Vide Style (step by step)

Sure, here are the steps for making sous vide flat iron steak:

1. Preheat your water bath to the desired temperature (usually around 130-135°F for medium-rare).
2. Season your flat iron steak generously with salt and pepper (or any other desired seasoning).
3. Place the seasoned steak into a vacuum-sealed bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
4. Once the water has reached the desired temperature, place the bag of steak into the water bath and cook for 2-3 hours.
5. Once the steak has finished cooking, remove it from the bag and pat it dry with paper towels.
6. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat and add some oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed oil).
7. Fry flat iron steak in the hot skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side until a crust forms.
8. Rest steaks for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

And that's it! With this method, you'll have a perfectly cooked, tender and juicy flat iron steak every time.

What To Serve With Flat iron Steaks

Flat iron steaks pair well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas:

1. Roasted or grilled vegetables, such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or zucchini
2. Mashed or roasted potatoes
3. A fresh green salad with a vinaigrette dressing
4. Grilled or roasted corn on the cob
5. Creamed spinach or other hearty greens
6. Garlic bread or a warm baguette

When choosing sides, consider the flavors and steak seasoning. For example, if the steak is heavily seasoned with garlic and herbs, a simple side of roasted vegetables might be the best complement. Alternatively, if the steak is served with a rich and creamy sauce, a lighter side salad can help balance out the meal.

Where do you find flat-iron steaks

Though they aren’t popular in restaurants, you can find them in any butcher shop and definitely behind the meat counter of most super markets. 

What equipment is needed to make this flat iron steak recipe

The two critical equipment needs are a sous vide tool and a heavy duty cast iron skillet. There are several models available but the three most popular are Sansaire, Anova, and Joule. I personally use the Anova, which is built well and has a bluetooth and wi-fi. These features allow me to monitor status and control things from my cell phone. For a more detailed breakdown of the different units checkout this comparison chart.

How do I cook the steak in a water bath?

Vacuum sealing is the most efficient approach if you have a sealer handy. But if not, you can make a simple ziplock bag work. The key is to remove as much air as possible. To this end with the ziplock approach you'll have to use water to displace the air. To accomplish this place the steak in the ziplock then submerge slowly into the water bath making sure to keep the opening of the bag above the water. As you submerge the bag the water will push the air out. Close the bag once you've submerged the bag as far as you can without water entering the bag. Once closed the bag should sink to the bottom.

Does it need to be marinated?

I’ve seen all kinds of recipes that involve different tricks for tenderizing steak before cooking. Marinades are the by far the most common. However, the benefit of cooking steak via sous vide is artificial means of tenderizing are unneeded. The slow steady cooking at low temperatures achieves incredible tenderness.

What Temperature Do I Cook Steak At?

Time and temperature vary depending on desired temperature (medium, medium-rare, well done, etc.). I’m a medium-rare type of guy so cooking the steaks at 136.5 degrees for 45 minutes nets great result.  I use those 45 minutes of uninvolved cooking to prep/cook my sides and chimichurri/sauce. You will not need a meat thermometer since the sous vide cooks to precise temperature. The Anova site has a lot of great resources for sous vide cooking including time and temperature guides for steaks.

Can I Sous Vide Frozen Steak?

You can easily go from frozen steak to perfect using sous vide. So don’t fret if you don’t have the time or forget to thaw your steak if it’s frozen. Sous vide cooking is a meal prep problem solver. Just remember to adjust your cooking time about an hour to account for the thawing time.

Can this be cooked without sous vide?

Flat iron is a thicker version of flank steak. This thickness is what makes it perfect for sous vide cooking, but you don’t have to buy a new sous vide cooker to enjoy this recipe. You could easily grill or broil it following the same approach in my grilled flank steak recipe mentioned earlier.

What are alternatives to flat-iron steaks?

Flat-iron steaks are similar to other “flat” steaks like skirt, flank, or even hanger. So if flat iron is unavailable to you, feel free to substitute any one of the three. Flank obviously will be more readily available.

How do I get the exterior crust for my steak?

Aha! This is where the cast iron skillet comes in. Once the steak is finished in the sous vide follow the following steps for the perfect sear:

 

How to slice flat iron steak

Because of its similarities to flank steak, you’ll want to cut against the grain when slicing to ensure optimal tenderness. See my earlier post on grilled flank steak for a detailed breakdown on how to cut against the grain as well as why it’s so critical.

What type of sauce pairs well with flat-iron steak

I made a basil and tomatillo based sauce in the same vein to go with my perfectly cooked sous vide steak. The steak is great alone, but the accompanying basil tomatillo salsa is also a game changer. Together, the tender, juicy beef is enhanced by the acidic and herbal salsa. The tangy tomatillos provide a nice crunch which is a good counter to the flat iron steak.

Make This Flat Iron Steak Recipe

Alright folks, let me tell ya, this sous vide flat iron steak recipe is the real deal! By using the sous vide technique, we're talkin' about a perfectly cooked and tender steak that'll blow your taste buds away. The marinade we're usin' is packed with flavor, and when we finish it off with a sear and some butter basting, it's like takin' it straight to Flavortown!

Trust me, whether you're cookin' for a special occasion or just want to treat yourself to a damn good steak, this recipe is gonna knock your socks off. So fire up that sous vide machine and let's get cookin'!

If you make this easy flat iron steak recipe please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

You can also keep up with my food exploits as well as original recipes! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you like any of the music you find on the site, visit me at Spotify to find curated monthly playlists.

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