Whether you are cooking in an oven indoors or outdoors on a grill it is very important to use the right internal temperature for meat.
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Why Is Internal Cooking Temperature Important?
There are harmful bacterias in raw meat that can not be smelled or seen. Cooking meat to the correct internal temperature will kill these bacteria and avoid foodborne illness.
You probably paid a nice price for the meat that you bought so it is a good idea not to ruin it by cooking it wrong.
What Is The Internal Temperature For Meat
There is no one size fits all meats. That is why I have a list for you that can be downloaded and safe to your computer for future reference.
However, you might need to jump to the type of meat you are cooking quickly and that is why I wrote them down here also.
Internal meat Temperatures
Although the general rule is to cook all your meat to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit – 73 degrees Celcius. Some meats will be overcooked and dry to eat. Follow this list and it will be safe to eat and not overcooked.
Beef
Beef, and especially hamburger meat is one of the most used meats.
The safe temperature to cook beef is 145 degrees Fahrenheit – 63 degrees Celcius.
Pork
For pork to be safe to eat it needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit – 63 degrees Celcius.
Chicken
Chicken is well-known as one of the worst meats that can cause sickness.
For that reason, it needs to be cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit – 73 degrees Celcius.
Fish
Fish and shellfish are in the same category and have to be cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit – 63 degrees Celcius to be safe to eat.
Best Way To Check The Internal Temperature Of Meat
This answer will not surprise you probably. The best way to check the internal temperature of the meat is with a thermometer.
Insert the probe in the thickest part of the meat since that takes the longest to reach the right temperature. Just remember not to touch the bone because this will give a wrong reading.
What About The Doneness Of Meat?
I can hear you think well that’s okay but I like my steak to be medium and 165 Fahrenheit – 73 Celsius is well-done. Here is the answer.
Medium is 160 degrees Fahrenheit – 71 degrees Celcius and as I mentioned this is still above the recommended minimum of 145 degrees.
I hope my writing here will help you decide on the right internal temperature of meat and keeps you safe.
