When establishing your cooking times, it will be necessary to checkfor doneness. The most reliable method is to use a clean, accurate meatthermometer.
Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat, but nottouching fat, gristle, or bone. When checking roasts, the tip of the meatthermometer should be 3/4" (19 mm) past the center of the roast. Forwhole chicken, duck, or turkey, the tip of the meat thermometer shouldbe inserted into the thick inner thigh muscle.
| Meat Product | Meat Temperature |
| Beef | 140°F (60°C) Rare Juices Red | 160°F (71°C) Medium Juices Pink | 170°F (77°C) Well Juices Pink |
| Pork | 170°F (77°C) - Juices Clear |
| Ham (labeled "Ready to Eat" or "Fully Cooked" | 140°F (60°C) (For optimum flavor, but may be served below 140°F) |
| Ham (labeled "Cook Before Eating") | 160°F (71°C) |
| Poultry | 185°F - 190°F (85°C - 88*C) (Juices should be clear or hip joint loose when drumstick is moved.) |
| Lamb | 160°F (71°C) Rare | 170°F (77°C) Medium | 180°F (82°C) Well |
| Fish | 140°F - 150°F (60°C - 66°C) |
FAQs
When establishing your cooking times, it will be necessary to check for doneness. The most reliable method is to use a clean, accurate meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat, but not touching fat, gristle, or bone.
How do I determine the doneness of food? ›
Insert the food thermometer into the thickest part of the food, making sure it doesn't touch bone, fat, or gristle. Cook food until the thermometer shows an internal temperature of 160 °F for hamburger, pork, and egg dishes; 145 °F for beef, veal, and lamb steaks and roasts; and 165 °F for all poultry.
What are the 3 levels of doneness? ›
Temperature
| Term (French) | Description | USDA recommended |
|---|
| Rare (saignant) | red center; soft | |
| Medium rare (à point) | warm red center; firmer | |
| Medium (demi-anglais) | pink and firm | 145 °F and rest for at least 5 minutes |
| Medium well (cuit) | small amount of pink in the center | |
3 more rowsThe internal temperature of a loaf of crusty yeast bread when it is cooked to perfection should be 200 to 210 F. Soft breads and dinner rolls should be 190 to 200 F. The bread will pull away from the sides of the pan and will feel firm to the touch. The bread will sound hollow when you tap it lightly.
What is the best way to test meat doneness? ›
1. With a Meat Thermometer. The most accurate and safe way to test meat for doneness is to use a thermometer. For the most accurate reading, use the following guide to determine where to insert the thermometer.
What level of doneness is rare? ›
Rare is the lowest level of doneness when it comes to steaks and burgers. Diners who like extremely tender, flavorful cuts of meat will choose this option. Rare meat has an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit. If you order your food rare, the central portion of the meat will be a bright red color.
How do you check the doneness of your product? ›
A skewer inserted into the center of a baked item should come out clean. Fully baked items should be springy and resilient to the touch.
What are three ways to determine desired degree of doneness? ›
Three Methods for Determining Doneness
- Five Senses. Seasoned cooks rely on taste, touch, sight, smell, and even sound to know when foods are done. ...
- Time. Many cooks get themselves in trouble by slavishly following times in recipes. ...
- Temperature. In the test kitchen, we rely on digital instant-read thermometers.
The best way to check your food is cooked to the correct temp is with a thermometer.
What are two important qualities cooks look for to determine doneness? ›
To find the perfect degree of doneness, you need to know what texture, color, and temperature to look for in that burger, cutlet, or steak.
Medium Rare: 130-135°F (54-57°C)
Often considered the best level of steak doneness, medium-rare beef has a warm red center with a pink ring around it. 3-4 minutes per side on medium-high heat is enough to melt the fat but not evaporate most of the moisture, so the meat is flavorful, moist and tender.
What does doneness mean? ›
Meaning of doneness in English
the state or quality of being cooked enough or to the correct degree: Cook the steaks for ten minutes or to the desired doneness. Bake the dish for 40 minutes, or until your preferred doneness is reached.
What are the 2 ways to test your dough for doneness? ›
Gently press your finger into the dough on the top. If the dough springs back quickly, it's underproofed. If it springs back very slowly, it's properly proofed and ready to bake. Finally, if it never springs back, the dough is overproofed.
How to test bread for doneness? ›
Use a thermometer (I like the Thermapen) to assess the doneness of pan breads, freeform loaves, and soft rolls. A temperature of 190°F at the center will yield bread that's fully baked (soft and moist) but not over-baked (tough and dry).
How to test for doneness in pancakes? ›
It's okay to peek to see if they are browned on the bottom. If the pancakes are too floppy to flip, they aren't cooked enough. If they are getting brown before they're ready to flip, turn down the heat. Try making one test pancake first to see if the griddle or skillet is the right temperature.
How can you check the temperature of cooked food? ›
A food thermometer can be used to check food is cooked thoroughly, food should be 75°C or above in the thickest part. Some foods change colour when they are cooked so you can check this too. Always check your food is steaming hot in the middle. Make sure frozen vegetables are cooked before you eat them.
