To check the temp of meat you will flip (steak, burgers and pork chops) without draining the juices, insert the thermometer into the side rather than the top.

how to Use a meat Thermometer

basics

Cook meat to the proper temperature every time with these tips.

Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, which has the lowest temperature. If you see the temperature drop and rise again, you’ve inserted the thermometer too far.

Remove larger portions of meat, like turkey, from the heat source when they are 5°F below the desired temperature. It will continue to rise, which kills harmful bacteria, according to USDA.

A person testing a thermometer in a bowl of ice water.

STEP ONE

To test the thermometer, to make sure it is calibrated, hold it in ice water for 30 seconds; it should read 32°F.

Reading the thermometer after inserting it into a half way cooked chicken.

STEP TWO

Insert probe into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding fat and bone, while in oven or on heat source.

STEP THREE

Continue cooking meat and checking the temperature until the meat reaches the recommended temperature for desired doneness.

A pan with a cooked whole chicken sitting on grating.