How to know if your Steak is Done?

There are two simple ways to check whether the meat is cooked when you’re cooking — use a meat thermometer, or place the fingers on the beef.

The issue with the method to the meat thermometer is that once you stab a hole in the meat with a thermometer, you might let juices out, juices that you’d like to remain in the meat. For this cause, most experienced cooks rely on the “finger test” method , especially steaks (whole roasts are better checked with a thermometer).

Raw:

Open the palm of your hand. Relax the hand. Take the index finger of your other hand and push on the fleshy area between the thumb and the base of the palm. Make sure your hand is relaxed.

Rare:

Press the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb. The fleshy area below the thumb should give quite a bit. This is what meat cooked to rare feels like.

Medium Rare:

Gently press the tip of your middle finger to the tip of your thumb

Medium:

Press the tip of your ring finger and your thumb together. The flesh beneath the thumb should give a little more. 

Well Done:

Now gently press the tip of your pinky and your thumb together. Again feel the fleshy area below the thumb. It should feel quite firm. This is what well done meat feels like when you press on it.