Using the internal temperature as a guide is one of the best ways to cook your beef to proper doneness. For medium rare cut of beef, the temperature should be 145°F. But how about the others? And how are you going to measure them correctly?
Don’t worry, Chef Carmen got your covered. This article will guide you on how to check the correct beef internal temperature for steaks, ground beef, and roasts. Read on.
Before anything else…
Here are some of the factors that might affect your cooking time:
- Thickness, shape, and cut size
- Temperature of beef before cooking
- Accuracy of the oven
- Type and shape of the cooking dish
- Method of cooking
How to Check the Temperature of Beef
To check the beef temperature, simply place an instant-read thermometer to the thickest part of the meat. Try to get as close to the center as you can to achieve the most accurate reading. You should also avoid large pieces of bone, gristle, or fat when measuring as they can affect the results.
The Right Temperature for the Doneness You Want
Not everyone likes eating beef that is cooked to medium-well. There are those who would prefer other degree of doneness. So, here is a simple breakdown of the beef internal temperatures for rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, and well-done:
Rare: 115 to 120°F
Medium-Rare: 120 to 125°F
Medium: 130 to 135°F
Medium-Well: 140 to 145°F
Well-Done: 150 to 155°F
These are the recommended temperatures that you should follow. Make sure that they are checked before you let the beef rest. Once done, let the cooked meat rest for a couple of minutes so that it becomes juicier when served.
Internal temperature of steaks:
If you’re cooking a steak with at least ½ inch thickness, insert the thermometer horizontally to check the temperature. Wait for the gauge to read just below 145°F (medium-rare), 160°F (medium) or 170° (well done). Don’t forget to remove the meat from the pan before the preferred temperature is reached to prevent overcooking.
Internal temperature of ground beef:
160°F is the correct internal temperature for ground beef. This includes all the recipes that contain ground beef, such as meatballs, meatloaf, and burger. Don’t just look at the color if the meat – it is not a reliable indicator for doneness. Instead, bring out a meat thermometer to figure out the internal temperature.
Internal temperature of roasts:
There are two ways to check the temperature of roasts. The first one is by placing the oven-safe thermometer in the thickest part of the meet before cooking, then leave it inserted throughout the cooking process. The second way is by simply using an instant-read thermometer after the roasting time is complete. For the right internal temperature, make sure that it reads 145°F (medium-rare), 160°F (medium) or 170° (well done).
