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Is It Done Yet?

If you have a meat thermometer, it will tell you what temperature to cook whatever your meat of choice is. These are the temperatures that I use.  Recommendations from 'experts' vary widely. 
I am cook; not an expert.

Please note:  Meat and poultry should rest 5 - 25 minutes before serving/slicing (depending on size).  This allows for the juices, that have accumulated on the surface, to seep back into the meat, making it more tender and juicy.  The internal temperature will continue to rise 5 - 10 degrees Fahrenheit (2 - 4 Celsius) while resting.  The temperatures given are the point at which you remove from heat. 

Please also note:  These are NOT the U.S. Food Safety Guidelines.  They recommend that all meat be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F minimum, particularly for the very young, elderly, pregnant or anyone with a compromised immune system.  They define a rare steak as one cooked to 140F.

Type Description Fahrenheit Celsius
Beef - very rare Red, cool center
120F
48C
        - rare Red, warm center
125F
52C
 - medium rare hot, red - pink center
135F
55C
 - medium bit of pink in center
145F
62C
 - medium well gray, not recommended
155F
68C
Veal same as for beef    
Pork slightly pink is okay
155 - 160F
68 - 71C
Lamb rosy rare mainly pink center
125F
52C
 - medium rare less pink in center
135C
57C
Poultry      
Chicken, breast juices run clear when pierced
160F
71C
Chicken, thigh juices run clear when pierced
170F
77C
Turkey, breast juices run clear when pierced
165F
74C
Turkey, thigh juices run clear when pierced
180F
82C
Whole duck juices run clear when pierced
180F
82C
Duck breast, Magret best if rare or medium rare - same as for beef
125
52C
Fish should flake and turn opaque    


If you don't have a thermometer you have to figure it out some other way.  This is how I do it:

Clear juices:   For poultry the juices should run clear when you poke it.  Stick a knife or skewer into the poultry as far as you can or to the middle.  When you pull it out there should be clear juices running from the slit.  If the juices are pink it's not done.  For whole birds I highly recommend a thermometer.  It is too easy to overcook them without a proper thermometer which makes them dry and tough. I have the kind that sits outside the oven with a wand in the meat - works great!

Cut & peak: For chicken breasts and other small pieces I make a small cut in the center of one, pull the sides apart and look: if it is not pink it is done.  The same works for pork although I allow that to be a bit pink.  Use the same method for lamb, veal or beef except that now you need only determine if it is done to your preference from rare to well!

Thumb test: I couldn't say it better myself so here is an explanation of the thumb test with great photos at http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html

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