Instant-Read Digital Meat Thermometer
Pulls a reading in 2–3 seconds so you can hit 160°F on ground beef every time without cutting into the patty and losing juices.
Check price →🌡️ Burger Doneness & Temperature Guide
Tap a doneness level to see the internal temperature, what it looks like, and how to hit it. Then read the ground-beef safety note below — it matters.
🛟 Food-safety first: The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F (71°C). Grinding spreads surface bacteria throughout the patty, so a burger should be cooked more thoroughly than a whole steak. Use an instant-read thermometer to be sure. Turkey/chicken burgers: 165°F (74°C).
Select a doneness level
Burger HQ Picks Best Meat Thermometer for Burgers
The single tool that makes safe, perfectly-cooked burgers foolproof.
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Frequently asked questions
What temperature should a burger be cooked to?
The USDA recommends cooking ground beef burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to be food-safe. Whole-muscle steak can be eaten at lower temps, but grinding spreads any surface bacteria throughout the patty, so burgers should reach 160°F.
Is it safe to eat a medium-rare burger?
Eating a burger below 160°F carries a higher risk of foodborne illness because grinding mixes surface bacteria into the center. If you choose to cook to a lower doneness, use very fresh beef (ideally ground that day) and understand the risk. For kids, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone immunocompromised, always cook to 160°F.
How do I check burger temperature without a thermometer?
A thermometer is by far the most reliable method and is inexpensive. Without one, a fully cooked burger is firm to the touch with clear (not pink/red) juices — but appearance alone is not a safe indicator, which is why we recommend an instant-read thermometer.
What about turkey and chicken burgers?
Poultry burgers must reach 165°F (74°C). They are not safe at the lower temperatures listed for beef.