The Ultimate Guide to Steak Temperatures: Mastering Perfectly Cooked Steaks Every Time You Cook

As a steak lover, there's nothing quite like cutting into a juicy, perfectly cooked steak. But getting the steak cooked to your desired level of doneness can be a challenge. With different cuts of meat, varying thicknesses, and individual preferences for how cooked you like your steak, it's crucial to understand steak temperatures to achieve the perfect steak. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the different steak temperatures and how to achieve perfectly cooked steaks every time!

Rare (Internal Temperature: 120-130°F / 49-54°C) Rare steaks are cooked to perfection with a bright red center and a cool, almost raw texture. To achieve a rare steak, sear the steak on high heat for 1-2 minutes per side, then transfer it to a lower heat and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 120-130°F (49-54°C) for a perfectly cooked rare steak.

Medium Rare (Internal Temperature: 130-135°F / 54-57°C) Medium rare steaks are a popular choice among steak aficionados, offering a slightly pink center with a juicy and tender texture. To achieve a medium rare steak, sear the steak on high heat for 1-2 minutes per side, then transfer it to a lower heat and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F (54-57°C) for a perfectly cooked medium rare steak.

Medium (Internal Temperature: 135-145°F / 57-63°C) Medium steaks have a pink center and a firmer texture compared to medium rare, with a slightly reduced juiciness. To achieve a medium steak, sear the steak on high heat for 1-2 minutes per side, then transfer it to a lower heat and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 135-145°F (57-63°C) for a perfectly cooked medium steak.

Medium Well (Internal Temperature: 145-155°F / 63-68°C) Medium well steaks have a slightly pink center and are cooked with less moisture and tenderness compared to medium. To achieve a medium well steak, sear the steak on high heat for 1-2 minutes per side, then transfer it to a lower heat and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145-155°F (63-68°C) for a perfectly cooked medium well steak.

Well Done (Internal Temperature: 155°F+ / 68°C+) Well done steaks are cooked all the way through with no pink center and have a firm texture with reduced juiciness. To achieve a well done steak, sear the steak on high heat for 1-2 minutes per side, then transfer it to a lower heat and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 155°F (68°C) or higher for a perfectly cooked well done steak.

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