Video:Learn About Proper Meat Temperatures

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Transcript:Learn About Proper Meat Temperatures

Hey guys, Greyson Ferguson here with About.com. Today we are going to learn about proper meat temperatures. It is extremely important to cook your meat to a proper temperature. If not, you risk not only food poisoning, but consuming diseases that may be present in the meat.

Proper Meat Temperature for Poultry: 165 Degrees

This is possibly most true with chicken. All poultry, including both chicken and turkey, needs to be cooked to 165 degrees. Anything less and the meat may be undercooked. Even if the meat is not pink in the middle, it doesn't mean the entire bird is not properly cooked.

Proper Meat Temperature for Beef/Pork: 145 Degrees

Beef and pork must reach at least a 145 degree minimum. This is when cooking the meat rare. Cooking the meat rare still leaves you susceptible to illness if there is a problem with the meat. To ensure you cook everything out of the meat, cook the beef and pork to 170 degrees to obtain a well done consistency.

Use a Meat Thermometer to Check Temperatures

You can check the temperature of the meat while cooking with a meat thermometer. There are several different kids of thermometers that perform this function, including laser based devices that you simply point towards the meat. These are rather expensive though, and the thermometers you insert into the meat cost just a few dollars and should do the trick.

When using the device, insert it into the largest portion of the meat. This is because this area is going to take longer to cook, and the middle is also going to have the coldest temperature. Once the middle of the meat has reached the specified temperature you know your meat is ready.

Well, there you have it. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.