Backyard Blogging.

Do you like your meat pink, medium, or straight up burnt? How ever you like it, this handy guide to doneness will help.

In this article, we look at how to tell if your steak is done.

Cooking Steak

When cooking steak, you’re a bit of a scientist. You are accomplishing several things:

• You sear the surface of the steak.
• And, you heat the inside of the steak.

With your scientist hat on, you are producing the Maillard reaction. This happens when meat and other foods reach about 285-325 degrees Fahrenheit.

When they reach this temperature, amino acids and sugars react to create flavor compounds and delicious aromas. In addition, your meat turns brown. Hence, you have the classic smell we’re used to as meat cooks.

Why the Perfect Sear?

You want the perfect sear for several reasons. First, it heats the outside of your steak to 285 degrees. This browns your meat, making it more appealing. It also gives your meat a slight crunch as you bite into the moist insides.

Searing is also important because it kills surface bacteria. Searing is a quick cook, though, as you don’t want tough meat on the inside.

Cooking the Perfect Insides

You’ve got that great Maillard reaction on the outside of your steak, and now it’s time to turn to the inside. The USDA says 145 degrees is the magic number for meat that’s safe to eat. While many steak lovers like meat a bit less cooked than that, the lowest recommended internal temperature for steak is 120 Fahrenheit.

Do note that as your steak’s internal temperature rises, you risk overcooking the meat near the surface. It pays to know your meat temperatures so you get steak that is done just how you like it – whether it’s rare, medium, or well done.

Steak Temperatures

Back we go to science. Here’s what you get at certain temps:

Let’s break it down a bit more.

RARE

You just want a minimal sear on the exterior of the meat.

• Internal Temperature: 120-130℉
• Grill Time: ~2.5 minutes per side
• Center Color: Red
• Center Temperature: Cool

MEDIUM RARE

This is a truly seared steak. This is recommended because at this temp, you get the natural flavor of the meat. Steak aficionados usually eat it this way.

• Internal Temperature: 130-135℉
• Grill Time: ~3.5 minutes per side
• Center Color: Pink with thin brown stripes on top and bottom.
• Center Temperature: Room Temperature

MEDIUM

Most people like medium steaks because the blood is nearly non-existent.

Photo and source Traeger.