Grill Temp for Steak
The first step in achieving your ideal steak is setting your grill to the appropriate temperature. While cooking time is based on the desired doneness, grill temperature is based on the steak’s thickness. Discover the grill temp for 1/2”, 3/4 to 1”, and over 1” thick steaks.
- 1/2″ Thick Steaks – cook at high heat
- 3/4 to 1″ Thick Steaks – cook at medium high heat
- Over 1″ Thick Steaks – cook at medium heat
Steak Internal Temperature
What internal temperature your steaks should reach depends on the level of doneness you’re hoping to achieve. You can master the art of grilling the perfect steak by viewing our comprehensive steak doneness guide, or you can introduce yourself to basic steak internal temps below.
- Internal Temperature Extra Rare Steak – Extra rare steak, also known as blue steak, should be grilled for approximately one minute on each side to achieve an internal temperature of 115 – 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Internal Temperature Rare Steak – Rare steaks should be grilled for approximately one and a half minutes on each side to achieve an internal temperature of 125 – 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Internal Temperature Medium Rare Steak – Medium-rare steaks should be grilled for approximately two minutes on each side to achieve an internal temperature of 130 – 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Internal Temperature Medium Steak – Medium steaks should be grilled for approximately two minutes and fourteen seconds on each side to achieve an internal temperature of 140 – 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Internal Temperature Medium Well Steak – Medium well steaks should be grilled for three to four minutes on each side to achieve an internal temperature of 150 – 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Internal Temperature Well Done Steak – Well done steaks should be grilled for approximately four to five minutes on each side to achieve an internal temperature of 160 + degrees Fahrenheit.
The more you slice, pierce, or puncture meat, the drier it becomes. When you cut into the meat, juices escape, resulting in a disappointing dish. When cooking on the grill, never puncture the meat with a fork or knife. Instead, use tongs or turners to flip meat, and use a high-quality food thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Grill Temp for Chicken
The ideal grill temperature range for chicken is between 350 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is narrowed down by whether you’re grilling chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks. Discover the best temp for chicken breasts and thighs below.
- Grill Temp for Chicken Breast – between 425 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Grill Temp for Chicken Thighs – between 400 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Grill Temp for Chicken Drumsticks – between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Internal Temp for Chicken
According to food safety standards, chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re grilling chicken thighs, make sure the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 degrees. If you’re cooking a whole chicken, you know it’s done when the thermometer reads 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grill Temp for Hamburgers
The ideal grill temp for hamburgers is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While they must reach food-safe temperatures throughout, a great burger will have grill marks seared into its exterior and a juicy center. Depending on the size of your burger patties, you’ll need to cook each side for approximately 5 minutes.
Internal Temp for Hamburgers
Hamburgers must reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Failure to do so risks foodborne illness outbreaks. Bacteria tend to live on the outside of food, so you can safely enjoy a steak that has been seared on the outside but isn’t cooked all the way through. However, when you grind beef, all the bacteria that lived on the outside are mixed into the entire finished product. For this reason, you must be especially careful when cooking ground beef.
Grill Temp for Fish
Generally, you should set your grill temperature to medium high heat to grill fish. Medium high heat provides a nice char while sealing in moisture. Dense and hearty cuts of fish and shrimp skewers are great grilled seafood candidates. We break down the grill temps for popular types of seafood below.
- Grill Temp for Salmon – between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Grill Temp for Shrimp – between 350 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Grill Temp for Tuna Steak – between 500 and 700 degrees Fahrenheit
- Grill Temp for Swordfish – between 375 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Grill Temp for Grouper – between 400 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Internal Temp for Fish
The USDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a blanket guideline, and internal temperatures may fluctuate based on the type of fish. Your grilled jumbo shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grill Temperatures
In general, there are four grill temperatures: high, medium high, medium, and low. No one heat level is correct; each is best suited for cooking different foods. We break down the different grilling temperatures below.
- What temp is high heat on a grill? High heat on a grill is between 450 and 650 degrees Fahrenheit. Use high heat when preparing steaks, pork chops, kabobs, or tuna steak. Getting your grill around 500 degrees Fahrenheit will create a sizzle when the meat hits the grates and produce attractive sear marks.
- What temp is medium high heat on a grill? Medium high heat ranges between 375 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s ideal for hamburgers, sliced vegetables, and fish. This temperature will still sear your food, but it also allows food to cook slower and more thoroughly.
- What temp is medium heat on a grill? Medium heat ranges between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit and is ideal for cooking thick hamburgers, short ribs, and poultry. This temperature will cook proteins slower to ensure their middle portions reach proper internal temperatures.
- What temp is low heat on a grill? Low heat ranges between 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. It provides enough warmth to create a satisfying browning effect on the outside of your proteins while still bringing the insides to a proper internal temperature. This makes it ideal for grilling chicken, turkey, roasts, and sausages.
How to Gauge Grill Temperature
Most grills come with a thermometer built-in or attached, making it easy to gauge the temperature. If you don’t have access to a thermometer and need another way to gauge your grill’s temperature, follow the steps below:
- Hold your hand about 6″ from the grate of the grill.
- If you can withstand the heat for 6 to 7 seconds, you’ve reached medium heat.
- 4 to 5 tolerable seconds indicate medium high heat.
- If you can only hold your hand for 1 to 2 seconds, you are working with a high-heat grill.