You want the juicy answer. It’s not one number. It’s a range. And that range is your new best friend.
For a standard one-inch thick ribeye? One to four hours. Yes, four hours for a single steak. Crazy, right?
Longer doesn’t mean tougher. It means tenderer. Think of it as a warm, relaxing bath for your meat. It breaks down connective tissue without screaming in a hot pan.
The Magic Window
Here’s the weird part. You can’t overcook it. Really. The water stays at your target temp. 130°F? The steak hits 130°F and stays there. Forever.
Well, not forever. There’s a fun limit. Leave a steak in the bath for six hours and it starts to get… mushy. Like meat pudding. Not what you want for a birthday dinner.
So stick to 2–4 hours for most cuts. For a thick filet mignon? Push it to two hours. For a tough chuck? Go four. Science!