Proper Cooking Temperatures for Safe Food At Home: Use Proper Cooking Temperatures to Ensure Safe Food (2024)

Minnesota Department of Health Consumer Fact Sheet
Revised August, 2011

Download a print version of this document:
Use Proper Cooking Temperatures to Ensure Safe Food (PDF)

Note: There are three important temperatures to remember when cooking meat or eggs at home: Eggs and all ground meats must be cooked to 160°F; poultry and fowl to 165°F; and fresh meat steaks, chops and roasts to 145°F.

Use a thermometer to check temperatures. Cook to the internal temperatures listed below in degrees Fahrenheit.

CONSUMER COOKING TEMPERATURE CHART for MEATS and EGGS
FRESH MEATS
Ground meats
(veal, beef, lamb, pork, deer, moose, elk or caribou)
160°F
Fresh beef, veal, lamb, pork, deer, moose, elk or caribou steaks, chops and roasts
recommended minimum temperature 145°F
medium 160°F
well done 170°F
Leftover cooked meats 165°F or safe to eat cold if properly cooled and stored
POULTRY and GAME BIRDS
Ground chicken and turkey 165°F
Whole chicken, turkey, duck and goose 165°F
Poultry breasts and roasts; thighs and wings 165°F
Casseroles, all stuffing and reheated leftovers 165°F
Fully-cooked poultry 165°F or safe to eat cold if properly cooled and stored
FISH AND SHELLFISH
Fish and shellfish, any type 145°F
RABBIT
Rabbit 160°F
HAM
Fresh (raw) ham or shoulder 160°F
To reheat precooked ham 140°F
EGGS AND EGG DISHES
Eggs Cook until yolk and white are firm
Egg dishes; egg based sauces and custards 160°F
  • Reference: Cook: Heat it Up Chart. Partnership for Food Safety Education. May 2011.

Last Updated: 10/20/2022

Proper Cooking Temperatures for Safe Food At Home:  Use Proper Cooking Temperatures to Ensure Safe Food (2024)

FAQs

Proper Cooking Temperatures for Safe Food At Home: Use Proper Cooking Temperatures to Ensure Safe Food? ›

Note: There are three important temperatures to remember when cooking meat or eggs at home: Eggs and all ground meats must be cooked to 160°F; poultry and fowl to 165°F; and fresh meat steaks, chops and roasts to 145°F. Use a thermometer to check temperatures.

What is the safe temperature for cooking food? ›

Note: There are three important temperatures to remember when cooking meat or eggs at home: Eggs and all ground meats must be cooked to 160°F; poultry and fowl to 165°F; and fresh meat steaks, chops and roasts to 145°F. Use a thermometer to check temperatures.

What temperature must be reached to ensure food safety? ›

Keep hot food hot—at or above 140 °F. Place cooked food in chafing dishes, preheated steam tables, warming trays, and/or slow cookers. Keep cold food cold—at or below 40 °F. Place food in containers on ice.

What temp should you heat food in order to make sure is safe to-eat? ›

When reheating leftovers, be sure they reach 165° F as measured with a food thermometer. Reheat sauces, soups and gravies by bringing them to a rolling boil.

What temperature should all food be cooked to to ensure it is cooked thoroughly? ›

Cook all food to a temperature of 75 °C

Aim for an internal temperature of 75 °C or hotter when you cook food. Heating foods to this temperature kills most food poisoning bacteria.

What is the 2 hour rule for food? ›

Remember the 2-Hour Rule: Discard any perishables left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, unless you're keeping it hot or cold. If the buffet is held in a place where the temperature is above 90 °F, the safe holding time is reduced to 1 hour. Watch the clock with leftovers, too!

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