Grilling a perfect steak can be a daunting task, especially when you consider all the different kinds of doneness available. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but it doesn’t have to be that way! There is a basic formula for getting your steak just right, and with this guide you’ll know exactly what temperature to shoot for—every time.
What do the steak doneness temperatures mean?
As you’re probably aware, a steak’s doneness is related to its internal temperature. The hotter the meat, the more cooked it is. But what do these temperatures actually mean?
- Rare: 120-125 degrees
- Medium rare (or “blue”): 130-140 degrees
- Medium: 140-145 degrees
- Medium well: 150-155 degrees
- Well done: 160+ degrees
A great guide to cooking steaks. The internal temperature of a steak will rise 5 degrees after you take it off the heat. For example, if you take a steak off the grill when it’s 130°F, it will be 135°F after five minutes. This means that medium rare steaks are done at about 125°F and 140°F for well done steaks.
We hope the guide to cooking steak helped you understand what you need and how to cook a great steak. The next time someone asks, “How do I know my steak is done?”, show them this list and explain the different levels of doneness for steaks.
