USDA Food Temperature Guidelines

With everybody so concerned about E. coli nowadays, most people prefer their food thoroughly cooked. The only way to be 100% sure that the food is done thoroughly is to use a thermometer. With that in mind here are the temperatures recommended for each type of food that you may prepare on your grill.

Ground Meat, 160 degrees

Ground Turkey and/or Chicken 165 degrees

Red Meat, Veal, or Lamb, Medium Rare 145 degrees- Medium 160 degrees- Well Done 170 degrees

Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck or goose) 165 degrees

Pork, Medium 160 degrees- Well done 170 degrees.

Ham, Raw, 160 degrees

Ham Precooked 140 degrees.

Fish 155 degrees

Shrimp and Lobster is fully cooked when it turns opaque and firm

We also have a guide on approximately how long it takes to get into these temperature ranges.

Using this chart and an accurate food thermometer is the only sure way to know that your food has reached a high enough internal temperature to destroy any bacteria in it.