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AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/burger-temp

How hot does the inside of a hamburger need to get to be safe to eat?

Hamburgers are safe at 160°F inside, hotter than a steak because grinding mixes germs into the middle.

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  1. 145°F, same as a steak
  2. 165°F, same as chicken
  3. 160°F ✔

Why: Grinding mixes germs from the outside of the meat into the middle, so burgers need more heat than a steak does. Color can fool you, so check with a food thermometer.

Huh, didn't know that: Color can fool you, so check with a food thermometer.

The dad joke
What do you call a cow with no legs? Ground beef.
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References

Answer: 160°F. Grinding mixes germs from the outside of the meat into the middle, so burgers need more heat than a steak does. Color can fool you, so check with a food thermometer.

  1. FDA: Science and Our Food Supply, Grinding Ground Beef www.fda.gov/media/90663/download
    bacteria that may have been present on the surface of the meat can end up inside the burger.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. FoodSafety.gov: Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/safe-minimum-internal-temperatures
    Ground meat and sausage 160°F (71°C)
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  3. FDA: Science and Our Food Supply, Color Is Not Enough www.fda.gov/media/90663/download
    Color is not a sure indicator of whether food is safe to eat.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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