Study guide
Minimum Internal Cooking Temperatures: Poultry, Ground Meat, Fish
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Poultry and anything stuffed must reach 165°F, ground meat 155°F for 17 seconds, and fish, steaks and chops 145°F for 15 seconds. Fruit and vegetables cooked for hot holding need 135°F. Measure in the thickest part of the food.
| Food | Minimum internal temperature |
|---|---|
| Poultry, stuffed food, stuffing | 165°F for less than 1 second |
| Raw animal food cooked in a microwave | 165°F in all parts, then stand covered for 2 minutes |
| Ground or injected meat, ground fish | 155°F for 17 seconds |
| Fish, steaks, chops, eggs for immediate service | 145°F for 15 seconds |
| Roasts of beef and pork | 145°F for 4 minutes |
| Fruit, vegetables and grains for hot holding | 135°F |
What to know for the exam
- Anything stuffed moves to 165°F, even when the meat alone would need less.
- Thaw food in the refrigerator at 41°F or below, under running water at 70°F or below, in a microwave if it is cooked right after, or as part of cooking.
- Prepare ready-to-eat food before raw meat on shared equipment, and clean and sanitize in between.
- Raw or undercooked animal food on the menu needs a consumer advisory.
Questions and answers
What temperature should chicken be cooked to?
165°F. The same applies to all poultry, to stuffed food and to stuffing.
What is the minimum cooking temperature for ground beef?
155°F for 17 seconds.
What temperature should fish be cooked to?
145°F for 15 seconds. Ground fish needs 155°F, and fish cooked in a microwave needs 165°F.