How to Cook Steak: Safe Steak Cooking Temperatures Chart (and Tips)

A steak is a piece of meat, usually beef, sliced perpendicular to the muscle fibers and cut into a convenient portion for grilling or frying. The word steak comes from the Old Norse steikjo, meaning to roast on a spit. Though we now more commonly cook individual-size steaks in a pan or on the grill, rather than turn whole animals over an open fire, cooking a steak is often a special occasion.

Preparing steak at home can be daunting because even slightly under- or overcooking has a huge impact on flavor and texture. The key to cooking good steak is to learn your preferred degree of doneness, and to identify the visual and textural cues that will get you there every time.