What Tempurature Is Mediumwell for a Beef Steak

When one orders a steak, that request is e'er followed by a question: How would you lot like it cooked? Many of u.s.a. probably first with what our parents ordered. Eventually, nosotros realize that maybe a porterhouse shouldn't still be red and perchance well-done doesn't do a T-bone justice.

While pros know how to achieve the perfect level of doneness on any cut of beef, information technology tin can be difficult for home cooks to master this skill. How tin you actually know if a steak is cooked perfectly without cutting into it?

The best way to make sure you lot're cooking the perfect steak every time is to know how to achieve different levels of doneness. According to Gabriel Massip, executive chef at the Orlando steakhouse Capa, it all comes down to temperature and timing. Here are his top tips for cooking a steak to the perfect temperature every time.

Always employ a meat thermometer

Judging meat doneness only by its color is one of the nigh common food treatment mistakes home cooks make. According to Massip, all dwelling house cooks should invest in a meat thermometer.

Judging meat doneness only by its color is one of the most common food handling mistakes home cooks make — use a meat thermometer. — Judging meat doneness merely by its color is one of the most common nutrient handling mistakes home cooks brand — use a meat thermometer. Alamy

"Information technology's important to not judge meat doneness only by color considering information technology tin can vary based on the type of meat you are cooking, or the procedure you are using to melt it," Massip told TODAY Food. Another reason to use a thermometer instead of your subjective eyesight? Steak normally isn't a cheap cut of meat and since it can be less forgiving, cooking information technology requires more than precision.

Temperature for rare steak

A rare steak should be cooked to an internal temperature of 130 degrees. Getty Images

The desired internal temperature for a rare steak should be 120-125 degrees. For a i-inch thick steak, this will take about 5 minutes of cooking on each side. And so let it residue for at to the lowest degree 5 minutes before cut or serving.

Which steaks are best cooked rare? "The lean cuts are ameliorate," advised Massip, who added that the surreptitious to getting a crusty sear on a rare steak starts with paper towels. "Dry out your steak, making certain to remove whatever excess water. Season with common salt and pepper, add together grapeseed oil to a really hot pan and so sear."

Temperature for medium-rare steak

A medium-rare steak should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Getty Images

Medium-rare is the most-requested doneness at Capa where Massip'due south personal favorite is the 12-ounce os-in filet. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of around 130 degrees. For a 1-inch thick steak, this should take well-nigh vii minutes of cooking on each side. Let the meat residuum for up to 10 minutes earlier serving. Massip says stick with leaner cuts if you like your steak cooked medium-rare and recommends a hanger or strip steak.

Temperature for medium steak

pan-seared strip steak — Melt steak to an internal temperature of 140 if you similar it medium. Courtesy of the Certified Angus Beef Brand

The internal temperature for a medium steak should be around 140 degrees. This takes virtually 10 minutes of cooking on each side for a 1-inch thick steak. Equally with a medium-rare steak, let it balance for nigh 10 minutes before serving. Massip said a rib-eye is a good option if you similar your meat medium since information technology has a higher fatty content and the estrus will bring out more flavor from the fat. Plus, it won't be likewise dry out.

Temperature for medium-well steak

Like your steak medium-well? Cook it to an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees, depending on the meat's thickness. — Similar your steak medium-well? Cook it to an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees, depending on the meat'southward thickness. Getty Images

The internal temperature for a medium-well steak should be around 150 degrees. For a 1-inch thick steak, cook each side for about 12 minutes, then permit it rest for about ten minutes before serving. Steaks that hold up well at this level of doneness include rib-heart, os-in strip and whatsoever Wagyu cut. Co-ordinate to Massip, cooking these steaks to medium-well will also forbid them from being too dry or also tough to eat as the heat breaks down the fibers.

Temperature for well-washed steak

Well-done steak should be cooked to an internal temperature of about 160 degrees. — Well-washed steak should exist cooked to an internal temperature of about 160 degrees. Getty Images

Despite what some steak snobs might say, it is really OK (and not illegal) to like your steak well washed, peculiarly if know the right cut of meat to guild. For a well-done steak, the internal temperature should attain 160 degrees. If you're cooking a steak that's 1-inch thick, this should take about xv minutes on each side. Let it residuum for about 10 minutes before serving. The best steaks to cook well-done are those with the highest fat content, like a porterhouse or rib-eye.

Now that yous've mastered the fine art of cooking steak, try these delicious recipes: