A reliable meat thermometer is one of the most important barbecue tools you can own. Whether you’re grilling steaks, burgers, pork chops or chicken thighs, knowing the correct internal temperature helps ensure your meat is both safe to eat and cooked exactly the way you like it.
Adapted from Gaby Dalkin’s What’s Gaby Cooking: Grilling All the Things, this guide includes recommended doneness temperatures for beef, lamb, poultry and pork, along with Health Canada’s safe minimum internal cooking temperatures.
Safe Minimum Internal Cooking Temperature
| Chicken (pieces) | 74°C (165°F) |
| Turkey (pieces) | 74°C (165°F) |
| Whole poultry | 82°C (180°F) |
| Pork (whole cuts) | 71°C (160°F) |
| Ground beef, pork and lamb | 71°C (160°F) |
Quick Grilling Temperature Guide
| Beef Rare | 120–125°F |
| Beef Medium Rare | 130–135°F |
| Chicken | 165°F (74°C) minimum |
| Pork | 145°F (63°C) minimum |
| Lamb | 135–160°F (57–71°C), depending on doneness |
Beef Grilling Temperatures
Use these internal temperatures to cook steaks, roasts and burgers exactly the way you like them.
- Rare: 120ºF to 125ºF(48.9ºC to 51.5ºC)
- Medium-Rare: 130ºF to 135ºF (54.4ºC to 57ºC)
- Medium: 140ºF to 145ºF (60ºC to 63ºC)
- Medium-Well: 150ºF to 155ºF (65.5ºC to 68.5ºC)
- Well Done: 160°F (71°C) and above
Try These Grilled Beef Recipes
Grilled T-Bone Steak with Chili Coffee Rub
This grilled T-bone steak is coated in a smoky chili coffee rub that creates a flavourful crust while keeping the meat tender and juicy. Ready in about 30 minutes, it's an easy BBQ recipe for backyard grilling.
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Garam Masala Beef Keftas
Tamara Green and Sarah Grossman's recipe for garam-masala-spiced beef keftas served with a lemony tahini sauce.
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Akaushi Beef Skewers and Shrimp Brochette
Tender beef skewers and a classic shrimp brochette are served over veggie rice in this recipe from Tiago’s Cabo Grille in San Antonio, Texas.
Get RecipeLamb Grilling Temperatures
Lamb can be served anywhere from rare to well done, depending on your preference. Use a meat thermometer for the most accurate results.
- Rare: 135ºF(57ºC)
- Medium-Rare:140ºF to 150ºF(60ºC to 65.5ºC)
- Medium: 160ºF (71ºC)
- Medium-Well:150ºF to 155ºF(65.5ºC to 68.5ºC)
- Well Done:165ºF(74ºC)
Try These Grilled Lamb Recipes
Grilled Lamb Loin Chops and Peppers
A simple Italian-style recipe for grilled lamb chops, from Domenica Marchetti's Everyday Italian cookbook.
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Lamb Burgers With Feta
Gaby Dalkin's recipe for lamb-kofta-inspired burgers with whipped feta and grilled cherry tomatoes.
Get RecipeChicken and Turkey Grilling Temperatures
Chicken and turkey should reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
- Chicken:165ºF to175ºF(74 to 80ºC)
- Turkey: 165ºF to175ºF(74 to 80ºC)
Try These Grilled Chicken Recipes
Cajun Drumsticks with Spicy Grilled Pineapple
A sweet and sour grill-up of cajun-spiced drumsticks and spicy pineapple.
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Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs
This ready-to-grill chicken recipe has two flavour options: seasoning the meat with fresh herbs or a fiery North African-inspired harissa paste.
Get RecipePork Grilling Temperatures
Use these temperatures as a guide to your preferred level of doneness. For safe minimum internal cooking temperatures, refer to the Health Canada chart above.
- Medium-Rare:145ºF to150ºF(63°C to 65.5°C)
- Medium:150ºF to155ºF(65.5°C to 68.5°C)
- Medium-Well:155ºFto160ºF(68.5ºC to 71ºC)
- Well Done: 160ºF(71ºC)
Try These Grilled Pork Recipes
Pork Chops with Caraway Seed Rub and Grilled Bread Rolls
Cheesy bread makes everything better, but these perfectly charred pork chops are the true stars here.
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Gourmet Pork Burgers With Pear and Rum Relish
Juicy pork burgers topped with pear and rum relish, thinly sliced smoked ham and a creamy mascarpone cheese spread, all served on toasted brioche buns.
Get Recipe*Source: Safe minimum internal cooking temperatures are based on guidance from Health Canada. Doneness ranges for beef and lamb are adapted from What’s Gaby Cooking: Grilling All the Things by Gaby Dalkin
