Steak Temperature Guide: The Science of Doneness

In this sizzling steak temperature guide, learn the difference between rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well and well-done to discover the secrets to cooking your perfect steak to your desired degree of doneness.

Have you ever wondered how to achieve that perfect juicy, tender and flavorful steak? It all comes down to temperature and we have important vocabulary to identify each stage. Although it took me a lot of time to master the art of cooking the perfect steak, the learning curve was well worth it. 

With this guide, the next time you grill a steak on a charcoal grill or sear steak on a griddle, it will turn out perfectly. Is your mouth watering already? Let’s dive right into it!

USDA Safety Considerations

Before breaking down different steak doneness levels, it’s important to consider the USDA recommended temperature for cooked steak. They advise cooking raw beef, including steak, to an internal target temperature of 145 F with a 3-minute resting period. This is considered the safe minimal internal temperature to prevent foodborne illness.

This is why a meat thermometer is one of the most important grill tools you should have. The USDA recommends using a digital thermometer to get the most accurate temperature reading. Plus, diners who are very young, elderly, pregnant or have compromised immune systems may be at risk if steaks are prepared below that temperature.

Restaurants around the U.S. offer steaks cooked below 145 F. To do so, the FDA requires them to include a consumer advisory statement on their menus about the risks of eating raw or undercooked items.

So why do restaurants offer steaks cooked below what the USDA recommends? Because steaks cooked to medium-rare or rare have a more enjoyable mouthfeel, taste and texture for many diners. Moreover, the restaurants are confident in the safety protocols followed while sourcing their meat, especially for expensive cuts like ribeye and T-bone.

If you plan to cook your steak at home below the USDA recommended temperature of 145 F, be sure to choose beef from a quality meat source. Then, season it with a good steak rub and cook it in a skillet or on a grill or griddle. 

If you’re concerned about going below that temperature or you fall into the high-risk category, you can also obtain great tenderness, juiciness and flavor by cooking beef that’s graded USDA prime. Certain cattle breeds like Angus and Wagyu are also known for more marbling and better tenderness.  

However, take note that some beef dishes should never be eaten raw. For example, if you use regular ground beef for your hamburgers, the FDA recommends cooking it all the way through. Like steaks, grilling burgers to perfection requires a safe internal temperature.

Steak Doneness Levels

Some experienced chefs can tell a steak’s doneness by feeling it. If you press on the steak, the proteins will be looser the rarer it is. As it cooks, the steak will become firm.

The most accurate way to measure the internal temperature of a steak is to use an instant-read thermometer. While the steak is cooking, insert the meat thermometer through the side into the center of your steak. Make sure the tip of the thermometer is surrounded by meat. If it touches bone, gristle or fat, the temperature can be skewed.

Take note that different steak cuts will require different cooking times and temperatures to reach the same level of doneness. For example, rib steaks and ribeyes cook around the same temperature but have different cooking times.

I also recommend using cast iron cookware to make sure your steak cooks evenly since cast iron distributes heat well. Don’t forget to season your cast iron with neutral oil like tallow!

Blue Steak

• Temperature: 115-120 F
• Color: Bluish-red inside with a quick thin sear outside
• Tenderness: Can be chewy depending on the cut

Rare Steak

• Temperature: 120-125 F
• Color: Bright red center with slight char on the outside
• Tenderness: Very soft

Medium-Rare Steak

• Temperature: 130-135 F
• Color: Warm red center with more browning on the edges
• Tenderness: Evenly soft and tender

Medium Steak

• Temperature: 135-145 F
• Color: Light pink center with a thicker ring of brown
• Tenderness: Soft in the center with firm edges

Medium-Well Steak

• Temperature: 145-155 F
• Color: Light brown with a touch of pink in center
• Tenderness: Stiff

Well-Done Steak

• Temperature: 155 F plus
• Color: Brown all the way through
• Tenderness: Firm and chewy

“When it comes to a perfectly cooked steak, there are several factors that come into play. The heat of the cooking surface, the starting temperature of the steak, your desired finished temperature, the thickness of the steak and the environment. These all play a crucial role in cooking your steak exactly the way you like it. A thicker steak needs more time to reach medium rare than a thin cut. And a steak being grilled over a fire in the rain may take longer than one in the convection heat of an oven. It’s important to understand how these things can all make or break your delicious meal.”

— Kita R., Girl Carnivore

The Finger Test

The finger test is a great way to master how each level of steak doneness feels. A lot of professional chefs use this technique, and it can help prevent steak juices from leaking when you poke it with a meat thermometer.

To test this method out yourself, start by opening the palm of your hand and relaxing it. Then, push on the fleshy part between the thumb and the base of your palm using the index finger on your other hand. This is what a raw steak feels like.

Next, gently press the tips of your thumb and pinky together. Feel the fleshy part of your palm again. It feels firm, right? This is what well-done meat feels like.

Now, do the same with your thumb and ring finger. Pressing on the fleshy part of your palm will tell you what a medium-done steak feels like, which should indent a little when you press on it. Repeat the process with your thumb and middle finger, and you get to feel medium-rare doneness.

Finally, press your thumb and index finger together and push on your palm with the index of your other hand. This is what a rare steak feels like.

With this knowledge, you can simply press on your steak to see if it’s cooked to your desired doneness. This takes quite a bit of practice, but you’ll get it down in no time.

Resting and Carryover Cooking

Once the meat is removed from the heat, the steak will continue to cook. This is called carryover cooking. To compensate for carryover cooking, remove your steak from the heat when it is a few degrees below your desired temperature.

Master the Art of Cooking the Perfect Steak

The next time you’re cooking steak, consider these tips and cook to your desired temperature. The learning process may come with a few ups and downs, but that’s what cooking is—constant practice. 

If you source great quality beef and don’t fall into a high-risk category, try cooking it to medium-rare for a flavorful steak that is guaranteed to be juicy and tender. Otherwise, you might want to cook it a little more to make sure your beef is safe to eat.

Now that you’ve mastered cooking steak, learn how to grill the perfect burger on a gas, charcoal or pellet grill. Explore our blog further for more cooking tips, recipes, and holistic health!

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Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.