Checking the Doneness of Meat

Identifying if your grilled fare is raw, rare, medium rare, medium, or well done can be a tricky business. To simplify things, look no further than the palm of your hand!

1. 
   

   Raw

   Relax your hand with an open palm. Using the index finger of your other hand, push on the fleshy area between your thumb and the base of your palm. This is what raw feels like.

2. 
   

   Rare

   Gently press the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb. The fleshy area below your thumb should give when touched. Open your palm again to compare with the feeling of raw.

3. 
   

   Medium Rare

   Gently press the tip of your middle finger to the tip of your thumb. The fleshy area below your thumb will be what medium-rare feels like.

4. 
   

   Medium

   Gently press the tips of your ring finger and your thumb together. The fleshy area beneath your thumb will still have some give but will be firmer now, indicating the feeling of medium.

5. 
   

   Well Done

   Gently press the tips of your pinky finger and thumb together. The fleshy area beneath your thumb should feel pretty firm, similar to the feeling of well done.

Written and illustrated by Erin Rogers Pickering