The proper temperature to cook a medium-rare steak is 130 F - 135 F. However, according to foodsafety.gov, beef, lamb, and pork should be cooked to at least 145° (or above, if desired). Ground meat must be cooked to at least 160 F. Ground poultry must be cooked to at least 165 F. Fully cooked hams should be heated to at least 140 F.
Keep in mind, the lower temperatures in the chart below for rare and medium-rare meat are not recommended by the USDA.
| Meat | Temperatures |
|---|---|
| Steak/Beef | |
| Rare | 120° F - 125° F (48.9° C to 51.6° C) |
| Medium-rare | 130° F - 135° F (54.4° C to 57.2° C) |
| Medium | 140° F - 145° F (60° C to 62.8 °C) |
| Medium-well | 150° F - 155° F (65.5° C to 68.3° C) |
| Well done | 160° F (71.1 °C) and above |
| Lamb | |
| Rare | 135° F (57.2 ° C) |
| Medium-rare | 140° F - 150° F (60° C to 65.5° C) |
| Medium | 160° (71.1 °C) |
| Well done | 165° (73.9 °C) and above |
| Poultry | |
| Chicken | 165° F - 175° F (73.9 °C to 80° C) |
| Turkey | 165° F - 175° F (73.9 °C to 80° C) |
| Pork | 145° F (62.8 °C) |
| Ham, Fully Cooked (to reheat)* | 140° F (60° C) |
| Ground Poultry | 165° F (73.9 °C) |
| Ground Meat | 160° F (71.1 °C) |
| Eggs and Egg Dishes | 160° F (71.1 °C) |
| Casseroles | 160° F (71.1 °C) |
| Stuffing, Dressing | 165° F (73.9 °C) |
| Reheated Leftovers | 165° F (73.9 °C) |
| Holding Temperature for Cooked Food | 140° F (60° C) |
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Cooked Food and Leftovers
Any temperature between 40 F (4.4 C) and 140 F (60 C) is considered the "danger zone" for food. If food is left in this danger zone for too long, harmful bacteria can grow to levels that could cause illness.
Never leave food out of the refrigerator for over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 F (32.2 C), no more than 1 hour.
Keep hot cooked food at or above 140° F (60° C) if you aren't serving it right away. Or, if you're serving buffet-style. Slow cookers, chafing dishes, and warming trays are good for keeping food warm for serving, or use a warming drawer or the Keep Warm setting of the oven (usually between 150 F (65.5 C ) and 200 F (93.3 C).
Keep cold food at or below 40 F (4.4 C).
Put leftovers in shallow containers so they will cool quickly. They must be refrigerated at 40 F (4.4 C) or below within 2 hours.
Reheat foods to a minimum internal temperature of 165 F (73.9 C), or until they are steaming hot. When using a microwave to reheat leftovers, cover the container and rotate so they will be heated evenly.
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