How to Check if Steak Is Done Using the Finger Test

Cooking steaks for dinner but don't have a meat thermometer? Luckily, there is an easy way to check the doneness of your steak without a meat thermometer. All you need is your hand! Keep reading to learn how to use the finger test method to check your steaks!

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Cooking Your Steak

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    Marinate or season your steak as desired. Marinating is optional, but it can add a nice level of flavor to your meat. You can marinate your meat for a few hours, but don't marinate for too long because the salt in most marinades will pull moisture from your meat.[1] A pinch of salt and pepper on each steak is also a great way to season your meat. [2]
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    Heat your grill or non-stick pan. If you are using a pan, make sure it is a heavy duty, non-stick pan that is large enough to accommodate all of your steaks. Add med-high heat oil (like canola) to the pan and heat the oil on medium-high heat. [3]
    • Don't use butter. It will brown and then burn. [4]
    • Don't add the steaks until the oil is very hot. [5]
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    Cook the first side of your steaks for 4-5 minutes on medium-high heat. After you have finished cooking the first side of your steaks, flip them over and cook the opposite side. [6]
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    Cook the opposite side of your steaks. The amount of time that you need to cook the opposite side of your steaks will depend on the thickness of your steaks and how thoroughly you want your steaks to be cooked. Keep the heat on medium-high. [7]
    • For a rare 1 ¼-1 ½ inch thick steak, cook for 3-5 more minutes. [8]
    • For a medium-rare 1 ¼-1 ½ inch thick steak, cook for about 5 more minutes. [9]
    • For medium 1 ¼-1 ½ inch thick steak, cook for 5-7 more minutes. [10]
    • For well done 1 ¼-1 ½ inch thick steak, cook for 8-10 more minutes. [11]
      • Subtract a minute or two from the cook time if your steak is thinner than 1 ¼ inches thick.
      • Add a minute or two to the cook time if your steak is more than 1 ½ inches thick.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Checking Your Steak

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    Check for rare steak. If you want your steak to be rare, touch your index finger and thumb together and feel the base of your thumb (about an inch below where it connects to your palm).[12] Notice how it feels and then check your steak. [13] [14] [15]
    • Compare the feeling of your hand to the feeling of the steak. If they feel the same way, then your steak should be done. If your steak feels like it is tenderer than your hand, keep cooking or check with a meat thermometer. [16] [17] [18]
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    Check for medium-rare steak. If you want your steak to be medium-rare, touch your middle finger and thumb together and feel the base of your thumb (about an inch below where it connects to your palm).[19] Notice how it feels and then check your steak. [20] [21] [22]
    • Compare the feeling of your hand to the feeling of the steak. If they feel the same way, then your steak should be done. If your steak feels like it is tenderer than your hand, keep cooking or check with a meat thermometer. [23] [24] [25]
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    Check for medium steak. If you want your steak to be medium, touch your ring finger and thumb together and feel the base of your thumb (about an inch below where it connects to your palm).[26] Notice how it feels and then check your steak. [27] [28] [29]
    • Compare the feeling of your hand to the feeling of the steak. If they feel the same way, then your steak should be done. If your steak feels like it is tenderer than your hand, keep cooking or check with a meat thermometer. [30] [31] [32]
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    Check for well-done steak. Touch your pinky (little) finger and thumb together.[33] If you want your steak to be well done, you will need to touch your pinky (little) finger and thumb together and feel the base of your thumb (about an inch below where it connects to your palm). Notice how it feels and then check your steak. [34] [35] [36]
    • Compare the feeling of your hand to the feeling of the steak. If they feel the same way, then your steak should be done. If your steak feels like it is tenderer than your hand, keep cooking or check with a meat thermometer. [37] [38] [39]
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    Remove steaks from heat when they are done. After you have cooked your steaks to the desired consistency, remove them from the grill or pan and allow them to rest. To rest your steaks, let them sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the steaks to reabsorb the juices that were released during the cooking process so that your steaks will be tender and juicy. [40]
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Warnings

  • Eating undercooked meat can make you sick! If you want to be absolutely sure of your meat's temperature, use a meat thermometer.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Do not use this test for chicken. Cook chicken to 165 °F (74 °C).
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
  2. ↑ http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-perfect-steak
  3. ↑ http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-perfect-steak
  4. ↑ http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-perfect-steak
  5. ↑ http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-perfect-steak
  6. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/perfectly-grilled-steak-recipe.html
  7. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/perfectly-grilled-steak-recipe.html
  8. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/perfectly-grilled-steak-recipe.html
  9. ↑ http://www.omahasteaks.com/servlet/OnlineShopping?Dsp=32&FID=recipe_cookchart
  1. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/perfectly-grilled-steak-recipe.html
  2. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/perfectly-grilled-steak-recipe.html
  3. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
  4. ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/
  5. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/267250/determine-the-doneness-of-a-steak
  6. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html
  7. ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/
  8. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/267250/determine-the-doneness-of-a-steak
  9. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html
  10. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
  11. ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/
  12. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/267250/determine-the-doneness-of-a-steak
  13. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html
  14. ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/
  15. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/267250/determine-the-doneness-of-a-steak
  16. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html
  17. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
  18. ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/
  19. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/267250/determine-the-doneness-of-a-steak
  20. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html
  21. ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/
  22. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/267250/determine-the-doneness-of-a-steak
  23. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html
  24. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
  25. ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/
  26. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/267250/determine-the-doneness-of-a-steak
  27. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html
  28. ↑ http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/
  29. ↑ http://lifehacker.com/267250/determine-the-doneness-of-a-steak
  30. ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/activity-fingertest.html
  31. ↑ http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-cook-perfect-steak

About This Article

Ollie George Cigliano
Co-authored by:
Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator
This article was co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano. Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University. This article has been viewed 303,220 times.
4 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 15
Updated: September 8, 2021
Views: 303,220
Categories: Food Preparation
Article SummaryX

To check if a steak is done using the finger test, touch the tip of your thumb and tip of your index finger, and poke the hand muscle below the thumb. Press down on the steak to see if it feels the same as your hand, and remove it from heat once the two feel smilar. For medium rare, touch the thumb and middle finger, for medium steaks touch the thumb and ring finger, and for well-done steaks, touch the thumb and pinky finger. For more tips on how to cook the perfect steak, like proper cook times according to the thickness of your cut, keep scrolling!

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