Are you ready to elevate your steak game from good to extraordinary? Mastering the art of cooking steak perfectly is all about understanding and controlling its internal temperature.
Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook just starting out, achieving the perfect doneness for your steak can feel like a culinary quest. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will demystify the process, providing you with the knowledge and tools to consistently cook steak to your exact preferences. We'll explore the critical role of internal temperature, debunk common myths, and equip you with the confidence to create steakhouse-quality meals in your own kitchen.
To truly understand the nuances of steak doneness, it's essential to understand how the internal temperature dictates the final result. The cooking temperatures are relatively the same across all cuts of beef. However, cooking times can vary based on the type, thickness, and size of the cut. For instance, on average, a steak's internal temperature reaches between 150 and 155. At 450F, cook for 8 to 9 minutes per side. The longer cooking time will make your steak slightly drier and the bite less tender. Keep in mind that the steak will continue to cook slightly after it is removed from the grill, so it's best to take it off when it is a few degrees below the desired temperature. It's definitely cooked and still showcases the flavor of the meat.
Feature | Details |
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The USDA Guidelines: | According to the USDA, the safe internal temperature for eating steak is 145 F (63 C). Thats the minimum temperature required to kill bacteria living on the meat. The thing is, none of that bacteria can penetrate the surface. |
Rare: | Warm red center with more browning on the edges. The entire inside of the steak will be pink with no darker red visible, and it will have darker cooked edges. When cut into, the center of the steak should have a slightly pink tinge. |
Medium Rare: | Light pink center with a thicker ring of brown. Cooked on the outside with a warm, light pink center. Medium rare is how its usually served in restaurants, unless you specifically ask for it to be cooked at another temp. The temperature of steak medium rare is the most popular internal temperature of steak. |
Medium: | The internal temperature for a medium steak ranges from 145F to 150F (63C to 66C), resulting in a steak with a warm pink center and a light pink exterior. Steak cooked to a medium steak temperature will have a hot pink center and slightly firmer texture. |
Medium Well: | A bit of pink in the center, but mostly brown throughout. Medium well steak is slightly pink inside, hot throughout the entire steak, and firm due to a significant loss of juices. Medium well steak will have a mostly brown center and firm texture. The meat will be drier as water evaporates during the cooking process. |
Well Done: | Brown all the way through. The steak will become primarily grey and only a sliver of pink will remain in the center. |
Resting the Steak: | Let the steak rest for five to 10 minutes before slicing. |
The quest for the perfect steak hinges on precision. To ensure accurate doneness, you must use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak. The thermometer should be inserted into the thickest part of the steak, away from the bone. Remember that personal preferences and factors like steak thickness and cooking method can affect the desired temperature range. However, this is often the holy grail for most when it comes to internal steak temperatures.
For those who are elderly or immunocompromised, it's better to err on the safe side. While many experts say it's safe to consume meat that hasn't come all the way up to 145F, the USDAs guidelines remain a good benchmark for safety. This is also the temperature where fat begins to liquefy and add flavor for steaks with more marbling.
Here's our internal cooking temperature guide for rare, medium-rare, and well-done beef. The table below provides a quick reference for the doneness levels and the corresponding internal temperatures.
Doneness | Internal Temperature | Appearance | Texture |
---|---|---|---|
Rare | 125-130F (52-54C) | Warm red center with more browning on the edges. | Soft in the center with firm edges. |
Medium Rare | 130-140F (54-60C) | Light pink center with a thicker ring of brown. | Soft in the center with firm edges. |
Medium | 140-150F (60-66C) | Hot pink center | Slightly firmer texture |
Medium Well | 150-155F (66-68C) | Mostly brown center. | Firm texture. |
Well Done | 160F+ (71C+) | Brown all the way through. | Firm throughout. |
Cooking the perfect steak isn't just about achieving a specific internal temperature; it's about understanding the nuances of the process. You can turn the steak once, giving it 5 minutes and 30 seconds on each side. Before slicing, you should let the steak rest for five to 10 minutes. This allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb some of the juices, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product.
If you're aiming for a medium-rare steak, for instance, aim to remove it from the heat when its a few degrees below the desired temperature. The steak will continue to cook slightly even after it's off the grill. This is sometimes referred to as "carry-over cooking."
To answer the question, what degree of doneness should you be looking for when cooking steak? It ultimately depends on your personal preference. Medium-rare is often the most popular choice in restaurants. Cooking times, as mentioned, can vary depending on several factors, including the type of steak, its thickness, and the cooking method you choose. Regardless of the desired outcome, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak.
Mastering the internal temperature of your steak is a journey, not a destination. With practice and attention to detail, you'll be able to consistently create steaks that impress. All you'll need is a trusty meat thermometer and a printable steak doneness guide. Ahead, we've laid out everything you need to know about internal steak temperatures and how you can tell if your steak is rare, medium, or even well done.