By Proven Pantry Editorial Team
Understanding Meat doneness Without a Thermometer
Professional cooks can tell meat doneness by touch. Here's how to learn this useful skill.
While a thermometer is the most accurate method, learning to judge doneness by touch is incredibly useful. Here's how to develop this skill.
Raw: feels like pressing your cheek. The meat has no resistance.
Rare: feels like pressing your chin—slightly firmer, but still gives.
Medium-rare: like pressing your nose—firm but with some give.
Medium: like pressing your forehead—firm with no give.
Well-done: like pressing your fingertip—very firm with no movement.
Practice with a digital thermometer until you learn the feel. This skill improves with practice and takes the guesswork out of grilling.
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Proven Pantry Editorial Team
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