Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures

We all know the rule: Cook meat to the appropriate minimum temperature so you don't get yourself or others sick.

But, even though we all know it, why is it so darn hard to remember the minimum temperatures each type of meat is supposed to be cooked to?

You'd think, after cooking so many meats on so many different occasions, I'd remember better.

Enter this handy dandy Safe Minimum Cooking Temperature chart!  This thing is so helpful for me and I wanted to share it with you.

There's nothing new about the information - it comes directly from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What's new is that you will have it all ready for you in your kitchen for reference when you're cooking.  Genius!

Use this chart and a food thermometer to ensure that meat, poultry, seafood and other cooked foods reach a safe minimum internal temperature.

I use this meat thermometer and it's worked great for years now:

Also, be sure to let your meat rest after it's removed from the heat.  During the rest time, the food's temperature continues to kill off harmful germs.  Always a good thing.

Here you go!  To print this chart, just click on the image so you can get the full-sized PDF version.