The Bizarre Steak Recipe We Can’t Wait to Try

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to make a special dinner at home, and what better way to impress than with a perfectly cooked steak? Instead of the usual pan-seared or grilled method, I recently found a unique approach from content creator @dzunglewis—boiling the steak in a glass jar! It may sound unconventional, but this method is a fun way to cook a great-tasting steak.

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How to Cook Steak in a Jar

Depending on who you ask, this jar-cooking method may or may not be considered sous vide (pronounced “soo-veed”), a French cooking technique that involves sealing food in a vacuum-sealed container, often a zip-top bag, and submerging it in a precisely controlled water bath.

Sous vide cooking allows foods like steak to cook evenly at a consistent temperature, preventing overcooking and ensuring a perfectly tender result. Unlike traditional methods, where high heat can cause uneven doneness, sous vide gently brings the steak to the exact temperature you want—whether it’s medium-rare, medium or well-done.

Some people wouldn't consider cooking steak in a jar sous vide because the glass jar provides more insulation than a plastic bag, which means you need to cook the food longer and you might not have as much control. Also, using this method you bring the water to a boil as opposed to using an immersion circulator to keep the water at a constant temperature.

But we can all agree that this is a hands-off way to make a steak. Because you'll be putting the jar in boiling water, you need to make sure the jar is one that's made for canning (it will say on the box) and you will need the two-part metal lid to seal the jar.

To make the steak, @dzunglewis places the meat in the jar and adds fresh herbs, onion slices, chopped fresh garlic cloves, cut cherry tomatoes, salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. She seals the jar and gives it a good shake.

Then, she places a kitchen towel in a large pot and puts the sealed jar on top of the towel. (The towel is to cushion the jar so it doesn't rattle around and crack in the pot as it boils.) She then pours water to cover the jar and brings it to a boil, with the towel still in place, and covers the pot. She cooks it for an hour, then serves the steak.

She said the steak smelled incredible and it was juicy and tender. She gave this cooking method a 9/10 because the flavor was locked in and the meat wasn't tough or chewy.

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Why This Steak Is Perfect for Valentine’s Dinner

This steak is incredibly tender, juicy and full of flavor. Because it cooks slowly, the meat retains its moisture, resulting in a buttery texture that melts in your mouth. If you really want to elevate it, you can give it a final sear in a hot pan to caramelize the outside, creating that classic steakhouse-style crust without risking overcooking the interior.

What makes this method great for a Valentine’s Day dinner is how foolproof it is. There’s no guesswork involved—you won’t have to stress about undercooking or overcooking the steak. You can even prepare the steak ahead of time and sear it just before serving, giving you more time to enjoy the evening. Pair it with a side of creamy mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus or a fresh salad, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy meal at home.

For a special finishing touch, serve your steak with a compound butter made with garlic and fresh herbs or a rich red wine reduction sauce. A beautifully cooked steak, shared with someone you love, is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Thanks to this easy recipe, you can make it with confidence, knowing it will turn out delicious every time.

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