Many burger restaurants cook hamburgers according to their diners’ preferences. From rare to well done, the beef’s doneness can impact how it tastes. If you’re curious as to how you want your beef patties cooked next time you visit a burger restaurant, below is a guide that details the different levels of beef doneness. 

What Are the Degrees of Doneness?

Rare

A burger that is cooked rare has a cool, red center with seared exteriors. The cooking temperature is around 120 F, which makes it a bit raw. At this level of doneness, its fat hasn’t melted enough, giving the patty a juicy, metallic taste and soft texture.

Medium Rare

Cooked longer and at a higher temperature of 130 to 135 F, a medium-rare burger has a warm red center ringed with pink. It’s still considered undercooked, but just enough to soften the fat to give a buttery, juicy flavor. It feels tender and plump to the bite, as some of the moisture remains inside the patty.

Medium

A burger that is medium doesn’t have a reddish center, but rather a pinkish, warm one. Grilled at a temperature of 140 to 145 F, it maintains its buttery flavor but loses some of the juiciness. It doesn’t feel as tender as its undercooked counterparts because of moisture loss; however, it's just as tasty when sandwiched between bread, fresh vegetables, and mustard. 

Medium Well

Seared and grilled at a cooking temperature of 150 to 155 F, a medium-well burger retains a slightly pink center. At this point, it already leaked out most of the moisture and fat, so it will have a drier texture. It’s less tender to the bite, but offers a good middle ground for burger restaurant diners who enjoy a cooked patty with enough juiciness.

Well Done

Grilled at a cooking temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, a well-done burger doesn't have a pink center, but a brownish one instead. At this level of doneness, the beef patty already lost the fat and moisture. It’s drier, but many people prefer this method because the meat is fully cooked. Burger restaurants found ways to reduce moisture loss and keep the patty tasting juicy by adding tomatoes and fresh lettuce, along with sauces and dry rubs.

When you’re craving for the best hamburgers in town, drop by Steve T. Hots & Potatoes. Located in Rochester, NY, this burger restaurant is known for its array of tasty fast food options at reasonable prices. Pick up their famous Steve T. Hot Sauce if you want to add zing to your burger. Browse their mouthwatering lunch menu online or call (585) 429-6388 to order take-out.