There is something about eating a juicy, saucy chicken drumstick that brings me back to my childhood! I usually sous vide them at 148ºF (64. 4°C) for 4 to 6 hours and they turn out perfectly. You can also go up to 165ºF (73. 9°C) for 8 to 12 hours if you want them shreddable.
As Ive grown up Ive generally gotten better manners at a lot of things. But eating chicken legs isn’t one of them! I still love grabbing a sticky, sauced drumstick and chewing on it! Luckily, I usually stick to eating them at home, where my wife is used to it!.
Legs aren’t too hard to cook the old-fashioned way because they’re very forgiving. But if you make sous vide drumsticks, you can use a lower temperature, which makes the meat much more moist. Plus I know its perfectly cooked and completely safe every single time!.
In recent years, sous vide cooking has become more popular because it can cook food perfectly. To do this, food is vacuum-sealed in plastic bags and put in a water bath that is kept at a precise temperature. Chicken is one of the most common proteins cooked sous vide. When done right, sous vide chicken drumsticks make meat that is so moist that it falls off the bone. But how long does it really take to cook chicken drumsticks sous vide so they are juicy?
An Overview of Sous Vide Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks contain a higher fat content than chicken breasts which keeps them moist during the sous vide process. Their thick cut also means they can withstand longer cook times to reach the ideal internal temperature. The collagen in the connective tissue breaks down over an extended sous vide session leading to supremely tender meat.
Sous vide allows the chicken to cook gently at a lower temperature compared to other high-heat methods like grilling or roasting This retains moisture and prevents the meat from drying out. The constant temperature circulation of the sous vide water bath penetrates deep into the chicken As a result, the drumsticks cook evenly from edge to center, eliminating fears of undercooked or overcooked areas.
Sous Vide Chicken Drumstick Times and Temperatures
To yield ideal texture, juiciness, and safety, sous vide chicken drumsticks need to reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). However, cooking time varies based on the texture you prefer.
For tender drumsticks: Cook at 165°F for 2-4 hours. The collagen breaks down partially but the meat retains some chew.
For fall-off-the-bone texture: Cook at 165°F for 6-12 hours. The collagen melts completely, yielding ultra-tender, pull-apart meat.
For shreddable meat: Cook at 165°F for 12-24 hours. The meat shreds easily for dishes like tacos, sandwiches, etc.
Keep in mind that larger or thicker drumsticks may need slightly more time. An accurate sous vide cooking guide recommends 1-4 hours per inch of thickness for bone-in chicken legs.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect sous vide chicken drumsticks every time:
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Season: Generously season the drumsticks with salt, pepper, herbs, etc. Marinating is optional.
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Bag: Put the drumsticks in a sous vide bag and seal it up, making sure there is no extra air in it.
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Submerge: Completely submerge bag in water bath set to 165°F. Weight down if needed.
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Cook: Allow to cook for minimum 2 hours up to 12 hours depending on texture desired.
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Finish: For crispy skin, sear quickly on high heat just until browned.
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Serve: Enjoy your succulent sous vide drumsticks!
Tips for the Best Results
Here are some useful tips for nailing perfectly cooked sous vide chicken drumsticks:
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Pat the drumsticks dry before searing to help the skin get crispy.
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Chill the cooked drumsticks in an ice bath before searing to prevent overcooking.
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Sear on a hot grill or cast iron skillet on high heat to quickly crisp the skin.
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Brush with oil or sauce when finishing to boost flavor and moisture.
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For safety, only reheat to 165°F or until hot to touch.
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Cook frozen drumsticks by adding 1 hour to the cooking time.
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Weighting bags down prevents drumsticks from floating while cooking.
Benefits of Sous Vide Chicken Drumsticks
Cooking chicken drumsticks via sous vide provides several advantages:
- Juicy, succulent meat with collagen fully broken down
- Evenly cooked from edge to edge without drying out
- Customizable textures based on cook times
- Fuss-free method with no need to watch pots
- Never any guesswork on doneness
- Easy cleanup with no messy pans to scrub
- Safely cooks chicken to pasteurization temperatures
- Ability to cook conveniently ahead then sear quickly later
The extended cook times allow the connective tissue in chicken drumsticks to melt into tender submission. Sous vide truly excels at transforming these fatty, inexpensive cuts into fork-tender morsels bursting with flavorful juices. Give it a try for your best drumsticks yet!
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I sous vide chicken drumsticks?
For food safety, sous vide chicken drumsticks at 165°F (74°C) to ensure they reach pasteurization temperatures.
Can I cook frozen chicken drumsticks sous vide?
Yes, sous vide works great with frozen chicken. Simply extend the cook time by 1-2 hours. Thaw first for shorter cook times.
Do I need to sear sous vide chicken drumsticks?
Searing is optional but recommended for crispy skin. Cook sous vide first, chill, then sear quickly on high heat.
How long do sous vide chicken drumsticks last?
Chicken drumsticks cooked sous vide and kept in the fridge will last for three to five days. Reheat gently in the sous vide bath or until hot.
Can I cook chicken drumsticks from frozen using sous vide?
Absolutely. Just increase cooking time by 1-2 hours. For quicker cooking, thaw drumsticks in the refrigerator before bagging.
Get Perfectly Cooked Drumsticks Every Time
With the precise temperature control of sous vide, you can achieve supremely moist, fall-off-the-bone chicken drumsticks without any guesswork. Simply set the time and temperature, and let your immersion circulator do the work! In just a few hours, you’ll have the juiciest, most tender drumsticks imaginable. Sous vide cooking removes all the stress and unreliable results of traditional high-heat methods. For incredibly delicious, utterly foolproof chicken drumsticks, sous vide is the way to go.
Sous Vide Time and Temperature Charts
Welcome to the Amazing Food Made Easy sous vide time and temperature charts. To view the recommended cooking suggestions for an item just select it from the menu below. You can also view all the sous vide time and temperatures.
New to Sous Vide?
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