Cook your pork to perfection

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Cooking temperature of pork

Are you cooking pork recipes and wondering what temperature to cook pork at? Let our pork temperature chart guide you! This comprehensive Safe Pork Temperature guide will help you achieve the desired doneness of every cut, ensuring a delicious and impressive meal.

Whether you’re cooking sous vide pork tenderloin, smoked pork chop, or seared pork belly fillets, you can refer to this temperature chart.

Pork chop on a smoker

Degree of doneness at pork temperature

Here are the internal temperatures to maintain when preparing pork dishes (except ground pork). The recommendations are the same whether you’re cooking chops or roasts. Please note that these temperatures are in Fahrenheit.

degree of doneness of the pork Indoor Temperature (°F)
Rarely NOT RECOMMENDED
Half done NOT RECOMMENDED
Middle 145-150°F
middle fountain 150-155°F
Well done 160-165°F

The USDA recommends a minimum temperature of 145°F with a 3 minute rest period to avoid potential foodborne illness and health risks. It is not advisable to consume rare or medium-rare pork.

Illustration of a pig with text

cuts

The pork temperature chart above applies to the following popular cuts of meat:

  • loin
  • roast meat
  • filet
  • chops
  • ribs

mead

Ground beef must be cooked to a minimum temperature of 165°F. The table above does not apply to ground pork.

Internal temperature of pork

Not sure what doneness to cook to? Here’s a visual guide to help you choose your ideal temperature:

  • Middle: Solid pink and warm.
  • Middle fountain: Slightly pink center and warm throughout.
  • Well done: Very little pink.

Sliced ​​sous vide pork tenderloin along with thyme and garlic in a black cast iron skillet.

Relax

Cook based on temperature and time when preparing. The pull out/remove temperature will be below the final temperature at which you would like to serve the meat as the temperature will continue to rise while the meat is resting.

Unlike beef recipes, you only need a 3-5 minute resting time.

  • Rest 3-5 minutes – The pull temperature is 2-3°F below the final temperature you are aiming for.

Cooking times for pork

Cooking times will vary depending on the cut, thickness, and cooking method. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate readings.

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas in a white serving bowl garnished with lime wedges.

expert tips

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your dishes are cooked to perfection every time:

  • Let your meat sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This will cook the meat more evenly
  • Allow your cooked meat to rest for at least 3-5 minutes before slicing. This will help redistribute the juices.
  • It is imperative to use an instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature while cooking. Here is our favorite brand: Thermaworks Dot.

Related Recipes

Rack of 3-2-1 ribs on a black cutting board.

More resources

Temperature chart for prime rib
Lamb Temperature Chart
Temperature table for steak
Tri-Tip Temperature Chart

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! We’re here to help you make your Easter and Christmas recipes less stressful!

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