Steak is one thing we can’t get enough of, and everyone has their preferred level of doneness. Although the most preferred level of doneness is medium rare and medium, some people fancy medium rare plus.
Are you just hearing about this type of steak? Is it a thing?
While this is a true level of steak doneness, it is not a recognized choice in restaurants. This is because it is not among the recognized standards in many restaurants.
Let’s take a look at the medium rare plus steak – what it is, the cooking temperature, and how to achieve it.
What is a medium rare plus steak?
A medium rare plus steak is a steak cooked to a temperature between medium rare and medium. This temperature is between 136 – 144°F.
However, as I said earlier, this steak is not recognized in restaurants.
Restaurants only follow the official level of doneness set by the US Department of Agriculture. These levels include rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, and well done.
How long do you cook steak for medium rare plus?
Medium rare plus is steak cooked to a temperature between 136 – 144°F. This should take anywhere between 4 – 6 minutes on the grill or in an oven at 140°F.
Other levels of doneness of steak
When ordering steak at a restaurant, there are doneness levels or cooking temperatures to choose from. Each cooking temperature has its unique result which gives its taste and texture.
The following is the various doneness level of steak that restaurants offer;
1. Rare doneness
Rare steak is steak with an internal temperature of 125°F. Its exterior is seared, making it a bit pinkish but the center takes a deep red color.
2. Medium rare doneness
Medium rare steak is cooked to an internal temperature of 135°F. This is the gold standard and is the most commonly sought-after level of doneness at restaurants.
In addition, the exterior is faded dark pink, while the center has a juicy and slightly deep red color.
3. Medium doneness
Medium steak is cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. The exterior carries a light pink color, while the inside has a pink color with a less juicy look to it.
4. Medium-well doneness
Medium-well steak cooks to an internal temperature of 150°F. The exterior is slightly brown while the inside is slightly pink.
5. Well done
Well-done steak cooks to an internal temperature of 160°F. Many people avoid this kind of steak because it tends to be dry, with a brown exterior and a pale brown color in the center.
How can you check the doneness of your steak?
The best way to check the doneness level of your steak is by using an instant-read food thermometer. Below is a quick guide on how to use it.
Place the meat read thermometer into a thick section of the steak. For a more accurate reading, you may want to push the read thermometer further into the steak, but not too close to the heat source.
You can also use the color of the steak to know the doneness level, however, it is not an accurate way.
FAQs
Is medium rare plus steak bad for your health?
There is nothing wrong with the medium rare plus steak. It is as healthy as any other steak and also has similar effects in terms of calorie and fat content.
Is blue steak doneness the same as a medium rare plus?
No, it is not. Medium rare plus cooks to an internal temperature of around 138°F while blue steak is around 115°F.
What is the best cooking temperature for your steak?
Medium doneness. The US Department of Agriculture recommends that all steak be cooked to at least 140°F. This is because this temperature is enough to kill all bacteria present in the steak.
Is there anything like rare plus steak?
No, there is no such thing as rare plus steak.
Conclusion
Medium rare plus steak fall between 136 – 144°F. However, it is not found in restaurants, but it doesn’t mean it is unhealthy.
You can make homemade medium-rare steak and enjoy it with your family and friends. Although, it would be best to enjoy your medium rare plus steak at 140°F.
Did you know you can cook your chicken medium rare too? I bet you didn’t. Learn about medium rare chicken, what it tastes like, and if it’s healthy.
Thank you for reading this article.