What Temperature should I cook hamburger meat to?

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Safety cooking temperatures are vital to know when preparing ground beef since they ensure your food is safe to consume and deliciously package with the help of a professional cook! 

However, people prefer their meat cooked in different degrees, which is directly proportional to the safety temperature of the beef. A food thermometer can tell you if it is safe to eat or not. California Restaurants are required to have a disclaimer on their menus as to the possible dangers of eating under cooked meat products. The State of California also requires that anyone who prepares or serves food but have completed an ANSI Accredited California Food Handler Training Course.

What Is Ground Beef?

Ground beef is one of the most popular and convenient meats preferred in many families. It is an excellent meal option, including burgers, casseroles, and stews. Like any other meat, one must cook ground beef thoroughly before consumption.

Ground beef is safe to eat when it achieves a minimum internal temperature of 155°F.

                 ACE Food Handler – Minimum Internal Cooking Temperatures

Why Should You Be Concerned About Beef Cooking Temperature?

We should be concerned about the internal cooking temperature because of bacteria multiplication in specific settings. Even if we don’t see bacteria, it exists; it’s all around us.

Your favorite California restaurant is required by state law to have Certified California Food Handler Training for anyone that cook or serves food.

Also, bacteria have a comfort zone in food; due to moisture, time, and temperatures, they multiply rapidly, growing in number to the point where some may cause illness.

Testing Your Beef Temperature 

An instant-read thermometer is the most refined technique to assess the temperature of ground beef. Avoid exposure to hazardous microorganisms that can make you sick if the interior temperature surpasses 155°F.

Because hazardous germs can present on the surface of a piece of beef, when it is pulverized, they can spread to other parts of the meat. Before consumption, ensure all portions of ground beef are: 

1. Adequately cooked to a minimum temperature of 155°F.
2. Losing its texture with the absorption of too much liquid.
3. All hazardous bacteria and other microorganisms are removed through roasting or other methods at the best temperature.

Killing Bacteria in Ground Beef 

You cannot kill the bacteria by freezing ground beef. Instead, the bacteria will remain dormant while the meat is frozen and becomes active once thawed. Cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 155°F is the only way to destroy the germs.

Ground Beef Cooking Tips 

Ground beef is simple to prepare and takes about five minutes per pound of meat to cook. You can use a nonstick frying pan or a skillet with a bit of oil:

• Stir the beef frequently to ensure that all meat parts are cooked equally. 
• If you’re grilling burgers, wrap them in foil and transfer them to the cooler side of the grill once they’re done.
• A 20 percent fat ground beef is a good choice. The fat gives the meat taste and keeps it juicy.

One of the steps you can take to protect your family’s health is to ensure that your meat is cooked to the proper temperature. Also, maintaining the correct internal temperature while taking precautions such as:

1. Surface cleaning
2. Frequent hand washing  
3. And keeping beef separated from other foods to avoid cross-contamination. 

Keeping any leftover cooked meat refrigerated within two hours following cooking is also crucial to ensure food safety.

Proper handwashing procedures will also help reduce the possibility of foodborne illness. You should wash your hands before you start to work with food products and again if you do any of the following

          How Food Handlers Contaminate Foods

ACE Food Handler offers an ANSI Accredited California Food Handler Training Course for professional and home cooks.

Easily test and obtain a California Food Handler Card

ACE Food Handler Food Safety Training Solutions makes obtaining a California Food Handler Card simple. Those working in the food handling industry in all California counties except Riverside or San Bernardino counties can access an ANSI-approved test with just an internet connection. The test is available on both computer and even mobile, allowing food handler employees to easily complete the test and give the card to their employer within the required 30 days after hire. The ACE Food Handler Card test meets all the requirements of food safety law SB 602, qualifying an employee to work in the food handling industry in the state of California.