How to Know If Ground Beef Is Fully Cooked?

Undercooked ground beef can harbor E. coli, a potentially deadly bacteria. Because of this, it is essential that you cook your ground beef dishes to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills E. coli. Because the color of ground beef can be affected by pH as well as doneness, simply cooking your beef dishes until the meat and juices are no longer pink is not enough to ensure that the meat is fully cooked. You must use a food thermometer to check your ground beef.

Skill level:

Easy

Instructions

Things you need

• Food thermometer

1. 1
   Insert the meat thermometer at least 1/2-inch into the thickest part of the beef patty or the center of the casserole, stew or soup.
2. 2
   Check that the tip of the thermometer is inside the meat. If it protrudes from the side of the meat and touches the skillet, pot or casserole dish, your reading will be inaccurate.
3. 3
   Read the thermometer to ensure that the temperature is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you aren't sure of whether you took the temperature correctly, test again at a second location.

Tips and warnings

• Fully cooked ground beef might still be slightly pink. Certain cattle, especially bulls, have more pigment and higher pH in their muscles, which contributes to a persistent pink color regardless of cooking time. Conversely, beef from cattle with less pigment and lower pH may turn brown before it is fully done, making color an unreliable indicator.