Whether you enjoy a good fast-food burger or only eat artisanal burgers, there is no doubt that burgers are simply delicious. However, no matter where you get your burger, you should always ensure that it is cooked to the right temperature. Unlike steaks, it is best not to eat a medium-rare burger. This is because rare or undercooked burger meat can give you food poisoning. So, in honor of May being National hamburger month, we thought it would be appropriate to teach you the best way to enjoy a burger safely.
What Temperatures Should Your Burgers Be?
Taking an ANSI-accredited food handlers course will teach you about the Danger Zone. But until then, here are some basic tips you can follow. Hamburgers should be cooked for about 3 to 4 minutes on both sides. This will ensure they reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to ensure your burgers are done is by using a thermometer. By cooking your burgers to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, you can trust that all harmful bacteria are destroyed.
Why is Undercooked Ground Beef Bad?
Undercooked ground beef is more likely to have bacteria than a steak or solid piece of meat. This is because when the beef gets ground up, any bacteria on the surface is then distributed throughout the meat. When cooking a burger patty rare or medium rare, the heat doesn’t kill all the bacteria. The bacteria has now moved to the center of the meat. This makes it more dangerous than a medium-rare steak.
What Bacteria Can You Get From Ground Beef?
Ground beef can be filled with harmful bacteria that can give you food poisoning. These include E. coli, salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, and more. Although nearly all ground beef has bacteria, you can never tell simply by looking or smelling the meat. The only way to guarantee it is safe to eat is by cooking it to the correct temperature. For more information about getting rid of bacteria, you can take a food handler course and learn how to cook your burgers safely.
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