Medium Well Steak Guide: Perfect Doneness For Every Bite!

Prof. Ross Stoltenberg I 08 May 2025

What precisely constitutes the ideal degree of doneness when preparing a steak? Mastering the art of cooking a steak to medium well requires understanding the nuances of temperature, texture, and the subtle dance between flavor and tenderness.

The journey towards achieving steak perfection, particularly at the medium-well stage, is a pursuit of both scientific precision and culinary artistry. This level of doneness caters to those who prefer a steak with minimal pinkness, offering a firmer texture that distinguishes it from its less-cooked counterparts. The beauty lies in the balancea steak that's cooked enough to be safe and pleasing, yet still retains a degree of succulence that elevates the dining experience.

To understand the process completely, here's a guide on how to make a perfect medium-well steak:

Feature	Details
Internal Temperature	150F to 160F (66C to 71C)
Appearance	Mostly brown center, with a small amount of pink remaining.
Texture	Firm to the touch, with a slight give in the center.
Key Considerations	Choosing the right cut, using a meat thermometer, and allowing the steak to rest.
Recommended Cuts	Ribeye, strip steak, filet mignon, sirloin
Reference	Serious Eats: The Food Lab's Complete Guide to Steak

Let's dissect what distinguishes a medium-well steak. Unlike rare or medium-rare, the focus shifts away from a vibrant red or pink center. Instead, a medium-well steak presents a mostly brown interior, signifying that a significant portion of the muscle fibers have been cooked through. This results in a firmer texture, a trade-off for the added tenderness found in less-cooked steaks. The texture will be firmer than steaks cooked to lower levels of doneness, which makes it a preferred choice for those who enjoy minimal pinkness. Its stiff with a little give in the center.

The cooking process itself is crucial. The steak will be very stiff but still have a little squish in the center. Grilling time is dependent on several factors, such as the thickness of the steak, the temperature of the grill, and personal preference. The longer cooking time, the more the steak will be dry and the bite less tender. Getting the right cut of steak is an essential first step; opt for cuts like ribeye, strip steak, or filet mignon for the best results.

Achieving the Ideal Temperature: A meat thermometer is your best friend when aiming for medium-well. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak. The internal temperature should read around 150F (65C) for medium well. Alternatively, you can use the touch method. Give it a poke, and it will feel firm with just a little. The internal temperature should be 150 f. At this temperature, the steak retains some pinkness in the center with minimal juiciness, ensuring a slightly firmer texture compared to medium or medium-rare steaks. Knife open your steak to expose so little pink you may have to ask someone else, do you see any pink? to be sure.

Beyond the temperature, the resting period is essential. Once the internal temperature has been achieved, remove the steak from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, contributing to a more flavorful and tender experience. Also, all needle thermometers need to be checked every so often to ensure they are working correctly.

For those venturing into the world of steak, understanding the language is crucial. Medium rare ( point) steak has a warm red center. Medium steak has a hot pink center and slightly firmer texture. A medium steak no longer contains a red center, but is pink throughout most of the steak. Medium well steak will have a mostly brown center and firm texture.

Expert Tips for Success:

Choosing the Right Cut: Cuts such as ribeye, sirloin, and filet mignon can offer great flavor and tenderness when cooked to medium well. A steak with a thickness of at least 1 inch nets the best results.
Mastering the Touch Test: Assessing the firmness of a steak takes practice, as it involves developing a sense of touch and familiarity with different levels of doneness. If the steak feels firm with a slight resistance, it is likely medium well. If the steak feels very firm and doesnt yield to the touch, it is likely well done.
The Power of the Thermometer: Using a meat thermometer will take the guesswork out of determining if your steaks have reached the desired degree of doneness.
Resting is Key: Allow the steak to rest for about 10 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak.

Outside of the culinary subcultures, many individuals gravitate toward medium-to-well-done steaks. These people often think the steak is bloody and think steak is like chicken where it needs to be cooked at a certain temperature to be safe. That being said, a forgiving cut like ribeye can still have a good taste when cooked medium to medium well.

Cooking a rib eye steak to perfection in the oven is easy, but the key to a steak

So, what's the takeaway? Cooking a medium-well steak is about balancing temperature, time, and the right cuts, all guided by a precise understanding of internal temperatures and the characteristics of the meat. It is the point where the steak will have the most flavor.