Beef Temperature Chart (Free Printable)

Roast Beef Temperature Chart

Making beef recipes and need a Beef Temperature Chart to use as a guide? Let our temperature chart for roast beef help guide you!

This free printable chart will help you achieve your desired doneness for every cut of beef, every time.

Reference this guide when making your favorite recipes, such as Prime Rib, Picanha, Carne Asada, Smoked Tri Tip, and Beef Tenderloin.

You can also reference our Temperature Chart For Steak for steak-specific guidance. 

Doneness of Steak Chart

This printable provides guidance on the various levels of doneness for cooked beef, from rare to well-done, based on internal temperatures.

By using a meat thermometer, and meat temperature chart, you can accurately gauge the doneness of your beef, ensuring both safety and desired taste.

These meat doneness charts help to take the guesswork out of grilling, roasting, or pan-frying beef, leading to perfection, every time.

Beef Temperatures

Here are the internal temps to go by when cooking beef.  The temperatures are the same whether you’re making a bone-in or boneless recipe. Please note these temps are in Fahrenheit.

When making beef, cook based on the internal temperature vs. time. The beef should be removed from the heating element a few degrees before your desired doneness is reached, as the temperature will continue to rise while the beef rests.

Safety Tip – The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F.

*Note – the above is an accurate visual guide for roast beef, despite the fact it’s utilizing steak as the sample.

Ground Beef

The above does not apply to ground beef. Ground beef must be cooked to a minimum temp of 165°F. 

Temperature Chart For Beef

 Not sure what doneness to cook to? Here’s a visual guide to help you select your ideal temperature:

• Rare Beef:  Bright red center, lukewarm
• Medium Rare Beef: Bright red center, pink edges, warm
• Medium Beef: Pink and warm throughout
• Medium Well Beef: Slightly pink center and warm throughout
• Well Done Beef: Very little pink

Carry Over Heat

There are two big factors when calculating the carry over heat: The temperature in which you’re cooking at, as well as the thickness of the meat. Both will greatly affect the “carry over heat”.

The lower the cook temp, the less carry over heat you’ll have. In addition, the smaller the roast, the less carry over heat.

Pull From Heat

It’s difficult to calculate the exact “pull from” temp as the cooking temp and size of the beef will determine the exact carry over heat numbers, but here’s a great guideline to utilize:

• Small Roasts – The pull temp will be 3-5°F below the final temp you’re aiming for.
• Large Roasts – The pull temp will be 7-10°F below the final temp you’re aiming for.

Plan out your cooking schedule to ensure you have ample time to cook your to your preferred doneness. 

Most Popular Temp

The temperature of beef medium rare is the most popular internal temperature, followed by medium. Medium rare is how it’s usually served in restaurants, unless you specifically ask for it to be cooked at another temp. 

At this temp the roast has a bright red center, pink edges and is warm throughout. It’s like biting into butter. 

Reference the temperature for roast beef chart for the ranges of temp to aim for!

Cooking Times

Cooking times will vary depending on the cut, thickness, and cooking method. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate temperature readings.

Beef Cuts

These temperatures apply to all popular cuts, including:

Cooking Tips

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your dishes are cooked to perfection every time:

• Allow the meat to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This will help the meat cook evenly.
• Allow your cooked beef to rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.
• It’s imperative to utilize an instant read thermometer to measure the internal temperature as it cooks. Here’s our favorite brand: Thermaworks Dot.

More Resources

Temperature Chart For Prime Rib
Lamb Temperature Chart
Pork Temperature Chart
Tri Tip Temperature Chart
How Much Prime Rib To Serve Per Person 
What To Serve With Prime Rib

Download our free printable Beef Temperature Chart.