How to Sous Vide in an Instant Pot?

You might know sous vide cooking is the ultimate method of getting perfectly cooked meats.

It’s a process of vacuum sealing a raw piece of meat (like steak or chicken) with a special kind of bag and water bath, where it is then cooked for a long period (up to 72 hours).

It can be a pretty pricey technique if you want to buy expensive sous vide machine, but there’s a simpler option.

The Instant Pot can make the process of sous vide cooking accessible to all, and it comes at a fraction of the cost.

To cook sous vide in an instant pot is simple.

Add your ingredients, seal the lid, and set the timer for the amount of time you want the food to cook.

When it’s done cooking, press “cancel” and open the lid. There you have it! Instant Pot style!

Today in this article we are going to learn how to sous vide in an instant pot. Check it out.

Intro to Sous vide

Sous vide, which in French means “under vacuum,” is a cooking method where food is typically vacuum-sealed in a bag, then cooked for a specific amount of time in a temperature-controlled water bath.

The food will eventually reach the same temperature as the water.

Because the temperature never fluctuates to extremes, the cooking process is gradual and controlled.

This is a slow method of cooking, but it is well-loved for cooking proteins, tender vegetables, potatoes, and eggs because the food won’t accidentally be overcooked.

Pros and Cons of Sous Vide Cooking

Advantages

When cooking sous vide, you have complete control over the temperature at which your food is cooked.

You can cook at any temperature between 41°F and 158°F, and you can even cook at subzero temperatures.

This means you can cook your food at the optimal temperature for each type of food, rather than the general temperature.

The process of cooking sous vides, like all other cooking methods, involves adding heat to the water and surrounding environment.

Sous vide cooking minimizes this effect, resulting in a more accurate, consistent, and safe method of cooking.

  • Temperature consistency
  • Taste and texture
  • Less contamination of food
  • Minimal cleanup

See also: Health Benefits to Sous Vide Cooking

Disadvantages of sous vide cooking

Sous vide cooking has gained a great deal of popularity in recent years because it’s a technique that can allow for a very high degree of precision.

But, there are some drawbacks to this type of cooking that may make you want to reconsider trying it. For starters, sous vide cooking can be expensive, which can cause problems if you’re on a tight budget.

In addition, sous vide cooking doesn’t always turn out how you expect.

For example, some naturally low-moisture foods—such as meats, cheeses, and even bread—can be more prone to drying out if cooked in the sous vide.

What is an instant pot?

What is an instant pot? It’s an electric pressure cooker that cooks quickly. Instant Pots are usually used for making soups, stews, sauces, and side dishes, as well as for cooking pasta and rice.

They can be found at many grocery stores. This device can also cook other foods. For example, it can be used to cook eggs, meat, vegetables, and potatoes.

It is often sold as part of a package. It is typically less expensive than a regular pressure cooker.

What is the difference between a slow cooker and an Instant Pot?

A slow cooker is used for low heat cooking. It usually has a round or oval shape and works by maintaining low temperatures.

The bottom of the pot is insulated and contains heating coils. You place food in the slow cooker, cover it with a lid, and set the timer to cook.

The slow cooker heats slowly and evenly and takes a long time to cook food. The main advantage of using a slow cooker is that it is easy to use.

See also: Sous Vide vs Slow Cooker

Some instant pot models that have sous-vide function:

Steps to follow to cook sous vide in instant pot

  • Add water to the instant pot.
  • Now program the sous vide temperature and time.
  • Now add food to the bag and remove the air by using the displacement method.
  • Now submerge the bag into the water.
  • After inserting the bag in the water close the lid and let it cook for some time.
  • After the cooking time has been completed, remove the bag from the water and let it rest for some time.
  • Once cooking is completed you can sear your meat until it turns golden brown and crispy.

How to program a sous-vide function in an instant pot?

There are different types of instant pots with sous vide functions available. All of them have different programming features. Let us have a look at different programming features.

Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus

  • Press the Sous Vide button, then turn the knob to select the specific sous vide program (I use Custom)
  • Press the knob to confirm
  • Turn the knob to adjust the temperature, then press the knob to confirm
  • Turn the knob to adjust the cooking time
  • Press Start (display will switch to “On”)

Instant Pot Duo Plus

  • Press the Sous Vide button
  • Use the + and – buttons to adjust to the desired temperature
  • Press the Sous Vide button again
  • Press the + or – Time buttons to adjust the cooking time
  • After ten seconds, the display will switch to “On”

Instant Pot Duo Crisp

  • Press the Sous Vide button
  • Use the + and – Temp buttons to adjust to the desired temperature
  • Use the + and – Time buttons to adjust the cooking time (in increments of 15 minutes)
  • Press Start (display will switch to “On)

FAQ

How to use an Instant Pot as a sous vide machine?

Some Instant Pot models include sous vide settings. These are great for slow cooking because they maintain the temperature while cooking food for long periods.

Here’s how to use sous vide with the Instant Pot:

Place ingredients into plastic bags and seal. Add liquid and set the temperature and time. Turn on and press the “SV” button. Cook until it’s done. To adjust temperature, press and hold the button until you see a number between 0-9.

Then add 1 or 2 minutes, depending on what temperature you want. To remove, just press and hold the button until it turns off, then turn it on again.

Do you need a vacuum sealer for sous vide in the Instant Pot?

No, but an airtight container that seals well is best for the Instant Pot. Some airtight containers are designed for sous vide and have a special valve on the lid.

This valve prevents air from getting in while sealing out the heat from the water bath. You can also use regular food storage containers for sous vide.

Conclusion

Sous vide is one of the most popular methods of preparing food at home. And it’s easy to use. You just place your ingredients in the water bath, seal it up, and let it cook.

You can buy a sous vide cooker for yourself but it is expensive when compared with other pieces of equipment.

So the best idea is to invest in an instant pot that comes with sous vide functionality. Also, they are cheap when compared with sous vide machines.

But make sure to buy an instant pot that comes with sous vide functionality without compromising the quality of the product.

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