Similar to sous vide fresh turkey, this recipe for sous vide frozen turkey breast produces the tastiest, juicy turkey breast with only 10 minutes of active prep time! It’s the ideal weeknight meal, especially when you forget to take the meat out to thaw!
Hey there, fellow food enthusiasts! Are you looking for a foolproof way to cook a succulent, juicy turkey breast that’s guaranteed to impress your taste buds? Look no further than the magical world of sous vide! This innovative cooking technique promises to elevate your culinary game and transform your frozen turkey breast into a masterpiece.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of sous vide turkey breast, exploring everything from the perfect temperature and time to handy tips and tricks for achieving mouthwatering results. So, buckle up, grab your frozen turkey breast, and let’s embark on this delicious journey together!
What is Sous Vide?
For those unfamiliar with this culinary marvel, sous vide is a French term that literally translates to “under vacuum.” It involves sealing your food in an airtight bag and then immersing it in a precisely controlled water bath. This method ensures even cooking throughout resulting in a perfectly tender and juicy product.
Why Sous Vide for Frozen Turkey Breast?
Sous vide is a game-changer when it comes to cooking frozen turkey breast. Unlike traditional methods that often leave the meat dry and unevenly cooked, sous vide guarantees consistent results every single time. The water bath gently cooks the turkey breast from all sides, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor and moisture.
The Perfect Temperature and Time:
The key to achieving sous vide perfection lies in finding the sweet spot between temperature and time. For a juicy and flavorful turkey breast, we recommend cooking it at 145°F (63°C) for 2-3 hours. This temperature range ensures that the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), which is the safe minimum temperature for poultry according to the USDA.
Tips and Tricks for Sous Vide Success:
- Seasoning is key: Before sealing your turkey breast in the bag, don’t forget to season it generously with your favorite herbs and spices. This will add depth of flavor and make your turkey breast truly irresistible.
- Don’t overcrowd the bag: Make sure to leave some space in the bag for the turkey breast to expand as it cooks. This will ensure even cooking and prevent the bag from bursting.
- Use an immersion circulator: An immersion circulator is a handy tool that helps maintain a precise water temperature throughout the cooking process. This is crucial for achieving consistent results.
- Resting is essential: After sous vide cooking, allow your turkey breast to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful product.
Recipe Ideas:
- Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce: This classic combination is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for any holiday gathering.
- Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Herbs de Provence: This aromatic blend of herbs adds a touch of sophistication to your turkey breast.
- Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Dijon Mustard: The tangy Dijon mustard adds a delightful kick to this simple yet flavorful dish.
Sous vide cooking is a culinary revelation that takes the guesswork out of cooking frozen turkey breast. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you can create a juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked turkey breast that will leave your taste buds singing. So, fire up your sous vide machine, grab your frozen turkey breast, and get ready to experience the magic of sous vide!
Final tips for making sous vide frozen turkey
- Prep before you freeze. To make cooking your frozen turkey breast easier, prepare it ahead of time. The day-of prep time can be reduced if you seal the turkey breast with your preferred spices in a vacuum-sealed bag before freezing it. This way, you’ll be ready to place it straight into your sous vide water bath.
- Meal prep your week. In fact, this sous vide frozen turkey breast recipe is ideal for meal prepping because you can season, seal, and freeze your turkey breast in advance. Just spend the weekend seasoning a few turkey breasts differently, vacuum seal them, and store them in the freezer. If you enjoy sous vide meal prep, check out this tutorial on how to freeze then sous vide chicken. After that, all you’ll have to do is throw them in the sous vide bath for a tasty but simple weeknight supper!
- Broil to finish. Before serving, I like to finish any sous vide frozen turkey by placing it under a high oven broiler to get a nice crispy, golden skin. Although it only extends the cooking time by a few minutes, the texture it adds makes the extra step worthwhile.
Is the cook time the same for frozen turkey and defrosted turkey?
No, and this is the most crucial modification you must make! You must add 60 minutes to the cook time when preparing a frozen turkey breast sous vide style. With this in mind, you should end up cooking the turkey breast for about 4-5 hours total.