How to Cook Meat to a Safe Temperature

Whether it's prepared in an oven, smoker or grill, it's important to cook meat appropriately in order to prevent illness. Read on to learn how to make sure the meat you are serving to friends and family is cooked to a safe temperature.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Working meat thermometer

1. 

   Invest in a good, working meat thermometer. Meat thermometers are available in a variety of styles, both digital and non-digital. (see resources section for an example)

2. 

   Test the temperature of the meat by inserting the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and giving it approximately 15 seconds to register. Make sure that the thermometer is not touching bone or fat in the meat.

3. 

   Cook the meat until the meat thermometer registers the following:
   
   Beef, Veal, or Lamb (not ground)(medium rare): 145 degrees F
   Beef, Veal, or Lamb (not ground) (medium): 160 degrees F
   Beef, Veal, or Lamb (ground): 160 degrees F
   Chicken or Turkey Breast: 170 degrees F
   Whole Chicken or Turkey: 180 degrees F

Tips & Warnings

• You can test the accuracy of a thermometer by inserting it into ice water and seeing if it registers 32 degrees F. within 30 seconds or inserting it into boiling water to see if it registers 212 degrees F. after 30 seconds.

Resources

• All in One Timer/Thermometer

[nilshoyum]

on 2/17/2009 180 degrees F for a turkey? You better check your facts. I would never cook turkey past 170 degrees and neither would most other professionals. Bad advice like this is the precise reason I started my website. www.howtocookmeat.com check it out if you are curious.

[Melanierose]

on 7/16/2008 Good article 5*

[LilacGirl]

on 7/16/2008 Everyone should know this.

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 7/16/2008 I don't think most people concern themselves with meat temperature, though we all sound. Looking how you break down the temps for different meats is a reminder of that and how important it must be for correct temperatures to have been found in the first place. Thank you very much.

[acole]

on 7/16/2008 Good information & important.