The One Tool You Need to Tell When Your Meat Is Done, According to our Test Kitchen
Judging when meat is "done" doesn't need to be a matter of touching or cutting into or worse yet blindly guessing. Simply aiming for an appropriate temperature is the solution. And an instant-read thermometer is the key to success. Here are a few of our favorites that we use in the test kitchen—plus, get our helpful tips to accurately read the temperature of your meat.
Related: 13 Must-Have Kitchen Tools
How to Temp Meat the Right Way
It's important to make sure you're cooking your proteins to a safe temperature. Refer to the chart below for safe cooking temperatures, according to the USDA.
| All poultry | 165 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Ground meat | 160 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Whole cuts of meat | 140 degrees Fahrenheit |
Our Favorite Instant-Read Thermometers
How to Use the Thermometers
Digital or not, be sure to calibrate your thermometer by sticking it in ice water. It should read 32℉; if it doesn't adjust it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
To check the temp of your meat, insert the probe into the thickest part, without hitting any bones. For thin cuts and round roasts, like a pork tenderloin, get the most accurate read by inserting the thermometer horizontally in the middle of one side of the meat instead of from the top down.
For perfectly cooked, tender meat, remove it from the heat when it's 5℉ below the desired temperature. Let it rest on a clean cutting board for at least 5 minutes—the temperature will continue to rise about 5℉ and the juices will redistribute too.
Related: How to Carve a Whole Roasted Chicken
This story originally appeared in EatingWell Magazine June 2019.