Burgers; everyone loves them, but everyone likes them a little bit differently.
And that’s okay. Burgers are the greatest American food. They are synonymous with American culture. What do foreigners envision themselves eating when they come to America for the first time? A hamburger at Mcdonald’s, of course.
But just as Americans are all individuals, living in a nation that values individuality, so too do our burger preferences reflect this.
From the type of bun on our burger to the specific toppings, burgers come in man shapes and sies. And burger temperature also varies. Some people swear by a medium-rare burger, while many can’t fathom having any pink inside their patty.
Are you familiar with the perfect burger temperatures? Do you know what beef burger temperature you prefer? If not, this helpful guide will help you decide, so that next time a waiter asks how you’d like your burger cooked, you can answer in confidence.
Common Burger Temperatures
Before choosing your preferred burger internal temperature, let’s look at the options you have available to you. At most places, you can order a burger that is rare, medium-rare, medium, medium well, and well-done.
A rare burger will have an internal temperature between 120 and 130 degrees. It’s going to be very pink inside. If it looks undercooked, well, that’s because it is.
A medium-rare burger will have a temperature between 130 and 135 degrees. These have a little bit of pink in the center.
A medium burger will have a temperature between 140 and 145 degrees. These will have almost no pink in the middle, but will still be juicy and tender.
Medium-well burgers are those with a temperature between 150 and 155 degrees. There will be no pink whatsoever, and the meat will be slightly overcooked.
A well-done burger will be cooked for the longest time. They’ll have a temperature of 160 or higher. Generally, these are charred on the outside, with absolutely no pink. But they will be drier and less tender.
The Difference Between Burger Temperatures and Taste?
The best burgers are those that you enjoy eating, and those you are comfortable eating. Many people are uncomfortable eating meat that is still pink on the inside. It’s usually a mental thing as opposed to a taste preference.
If they were to eat a medium-rare burger, with some pink in the middle, in the dark, they’d probably love it.
But for those who just can’t stomach the idea of eating pink meat, but still want a tender juicy flavor, a medium burger is the best bet. This is also what most people are used to, as most burger places use this as the standard.
The reason people like eating rare or medium-rare burgers is that meat that is cooked less will have more flavor. Basically, the longer you cook the meat, the more flavor is lost and the harder the patty becomes.
While the recommended internal temperature across the board for bed is between 145 and 160, many people prefer cooler burgers for more flavor and a juicy, tender experience.
What’s Your Favorite?
Many people have favorite burger temperatures, but they just don’t know how to verbalize it. The best way to know for sure is to either cook up a few burgers at home at different temperatures or order a few burgers at a local restaurant and give them a try.
Test them all out and decide which flavor and texture you like the best. It will most likely be medium or medium-rare, but you never know until you try.
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