Sous vide for beginners

Sous vide might sound like something for top chefs, but nothing could be further from the truth. Anyone can do it! Whether you're a complete beginner in the kitchen or already have a few recipes under your belt, sous vide cooking is simple, precise, and delivers stunning results every time. Sous vide is ideal for beginners because it allows you to create perfect dishes without the stress or guesswork. Sounds good, right? In this blog post, we'll take you step-by-step through the basics of sous vide cooking.

What is sous vide anyway?

Let's start at the beginning. Sous vide literally means "under vacuum" in French. It's a cooking technique where you vacuum-seal food and slowly cook it in a water bath at a constant, precise temperature. This means you'll never accidentally overcook a steak or serve chicken that's too dry again.

Imagine your food being perfectly cooked, exactly the way you like it, without you having to stay with it. That's the magic of sous vide. Want to learn more? Check out our comprehensive explanation of what sous vide is .

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This complete package includes a compact vacuum sealer, a powerful sous vide stick, and two rolls of vacuum bags. So you can get started with sous vide cooking right away and enjoy delicious dishes in your own kitchen.
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Why try sous vide?

Sous vide cooking offers many advantages. Here are the most important ones:

• Consistent results : Because the temperature always remains the same, you get perfectly cooked food every time.
• Flavour explosion : Vacuum-packing ensures that juices, herbs and flavours are maximally preserved.
• No stress in the kitchen : You have time to focus on other dishes, because sous vide does all the work for you.
• Healthier cooking : You need less oil or fat because you vacuum-pack your food.

Recognize that frustration when your chicken breast is just a tad too dry or that steak was on the grill a minute too long? With sous vide, that's a thing of the past. Want to discover which tools you need? Then check out our sous vide appliances .

What do you need to get started?

The beauty of sous vide cooking is that you can get started with just a few tools. Here are the basics:

1. Sous vide stick or water oven : This is the device that keeps the water at the right temperature.
2. Vacuum sealer or ziplock bags : To seal your ingredients airtight.
3. A large pan or container : Heat the water in this.
4. A thermometer (optional) : Useful for checking if everything is going well, but not essential.

You don't have to spend hundreds of euros on the most expensive equipment. Start small and see how you like it. Already have a sous vide stick? Then read our tips on how to use a sous vide water bath.

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Want to cook like a pro at home? The Hendi sous vide stick makes it easy to achieve perfect results every time.
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How sous vide cooking works

Sous vide may sound technical, but the process is very simple. Here's how it works:

Choose your ingredient

Think of a nice piece of meat, a piece of salmon or even vegetables such as asparagus.

Herb and pack

Season your ingredient with salt, pepper, and herbs, if desired. Then seal it in a vacuum-sealed bag or ziplock bag. Make sure there's no air left inside.

Heat the water

Set the sous vide stick to the desired temperature. For example, if you want a medium-rare steak, aim for 55°C.

Let the water do its work

Place the bag in the water and let the device work its magic. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on what you're cooking.

Just finish it off

For meat, you can quickly create a crispy crust in a pan or on the grill after sous vide cooking. Vegetables and fish are often ready to serve immediately.

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The Cast Iron Skillet retains heat excellently, distributes it evenly and forms a natural non-stick coating after seasoning.
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Looking for inspiration? Try one of our sous vide recipes !

Which dishes can you prepare sous vide?

You can cook almost anything with sous vide. Here are a few popular options:

• Meat : From steak to pork tenderloin , everything becomes buttery tender.
• Fish : Salmon and cod retain their juiciness and flavour.
• Vegetables : Try carrots or asparagus , they become wonderfully tender and flavorful.
• Eggs : Perfect eggs have never been easier.
• Desserts : Yes, you can even prepare crème brûlée sous vide!

Curious how long certain dishes need to cook? Check out our handy sous vide table .

Tips for sous vide beginners

• Use fresh ingredients : The better your ingredients, the better the result.
• Don't be afraid to experiment : Add herbs, garlic, or even a dash of wine to the vacuum bag.
• Keep the temperature constant : Leave the water bath alone and trust your sous vide device.

And remember: it's okay to make mistakes. Sous vide cooking is forgiving, so if you overcook something, it won't be ruined immediately.

Ready to get started?

Sous vide cooking may seem complicated, but as you can see, it's actually incredibly accessible. All you need is a little curiosity and the right tools. So what are you waiting for? Find a great recipe, get your ingredients, and let sous vide become your new best friend in the kitchen.

Want to get started right away? Then check out our sous vide offerings .