How can I tell if my meat is cooked thoroughly?

Cooking meat properly is essential for ensuring food safety and achieving the best flavor. Knowing how to tell if your meat is cooked thoroughly is an important skill for any home cook.

When cooking meat, the internal temperature should reach a certain level in order to be considered safe to eat. For beef, pork, lamb, and veal, the internal temperature should reach at least 145°F. For poultry, the internal temperature should reach at least 165°F.

One of the easiest ways to tell if your meat is cooked thoroughly is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and wait for the temperature to register. If the temperature is at least 145°F for beef, pork, lamb, and veal, or 165°F for poultry, then the meat is cooked thoroughly.

Another way to tell if your meat is cooked thoroughly is to use the “touch test.” To do this, press your finger into the center of the meat. If the meat feels firm and springy, then it is cooked thoroughly. If the meat feels soft or squishy, then it needs to be cooked longer.

Finally, you can also tell if your meat is cooked thoroughly by looking at its color. Cooked meat should be a light to medium brown color. If the meat is still pink or red, then it needs to be cooked longer.

Knowing how to tell if your meat is cooked thoroughly is an important skill for any home cook. Using a meat thermometer, the “touch test,” and looking at the color of the meat are all good ways to tell if your meat is cooked thoroughly.