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What is the Internal Temperature of Cooked Meat? A Guide to Safe and Delicious Meat Mastery

A digital meat thermometer inserted into a perfectly cooked steak, showing the internal temperature.

Introduction

If you've ever cooked meat, you know how important it is to ensure it's fully cooked. But how can you be sure that it's safe to eat? One way is to measure the internal temperature of the meat.

What is the Internal Temperature of Cooked Meat?

In this guide, we'll cover the Chef recommended and USDA safe temperatures for all cuts of meat, as well as meats that can be eaten rare to cooked. We'll also share a helpful tool, The MeatStick smart wireless meat thermometer's app, that uses USDA temperature guide for guided cooks.

The Full Chart

Complete meat internal temperature chart by The MeatStick showing doneness levels for beef, pork, poultry, and seafood.

Ideal Internal Temperatures for Beef

Rare: 125°F (52°C)

Medium Rare: 135°F (57°C)
Chef Recommended

Medium: 145°F (63°C)
USDA Safe

Medium Well: 155°F (68°C)

Well Done: 165°F (74°C)

Ideal Internal Temperatures for Pork

Medium Rare: 135°F (57°C)

Medium: 145°F (63°C)
Chef Recommended + USDA Safe

Well Done: 165°F (74°C)

Chart of ideal internal temperatures for pork, with a USDA safe recommendation of 145°F for medium.

Ideal Internal Temperatures for Lamb

Medium Rare: 135°F (57°C)
Chef Recommended

Medium: 145°F (63°C)
USDA Safe

Well Done: 165°F (74°C)

Ideal Internal Temperatures for Poultry

• CHICKEN & TURKEY •

Whole: 165°F (74°C)
Chef Recommended + USDA Safe

Breasts (white meat): 165°F (74°C)

Legs/Thighs (dark meat): 170°F (77°C)

Chart of ideal internal temperatures for duck and goose, showing 165°F for both whole birds and parts.

Ideal Internal Temperatures for Poultry

• DUCK & GOOSE •

Whole: 165°F (74°C)

Breasts/Thighs: 165°F (74°C)

Ideal Internal Temperatures for Seafood

Salmon: Medium 145°F (63°C)
Chef Recommended + USDA Safe

Tuna: Rare 125°F (52°C)
Chef Recommended

Halibut: Medium 140°F (60°C)
Chef Recommended

Chart of ideal internal temperatures for shrimp and lobster, showing a safe temperature of 145°F.

Ideal Internal Temperatures for Seafood

Shrimp & Lobster:
Medium 145°F (63°C)
Chef Recommended + USDA Safe

Using The MeatStick Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer's App

To ensure that your meat is cooked to the right temperature, you can use a meat thermometer. The MeatStick is a smart wireless meat thermometer that connects to an app on your phone. The app has preset temperatures for different types of meat, as well as guided cooks that use the USDA temperature guide. The MeatStick makes it easy to cook meat to the perfect temperature every time, without having to constantly check it.