Check the doneness of meat with this handy finger test.

For this reason, most experienced cooks rely on a “finger test” method, especially on steaks.

(Whole roasts are better tested with a thermometer.)

The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat cooking in a skillet

Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez

), I ignored, avoided, and ran away from the idea.

Then, my friend David showed me up.

Here’s a guy who loves to grill but doesn’t know how to boil water.

The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat

Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez

Cannot boil water.

He’s proud of the fact.)

David taught me how to test for the doneness of meat using this method.

A finger touching the palm of an open hand to demonstrate the finger test for the doneness of cooked meat (raw)

Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez

These days, half the time I don’t even bother with a thermometer.

This really isn’t rocket science.

This is one of those things that gets easier with practice.

A finger touching the palm of a partially closed hand to demonstrate well done using The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat

Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez

With practice, you will become more confident.

Does the Finger Test Work?

verify your hand is relaxed.

A finger touching the palm of a hand, thumb and rung finger touching, to show medium for The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat

Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez

This is what raw meat feels like.

(Check this out the next time you have a raw steak to cook.)

Now gently press the tip of your pinky and your thumb together.

The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat for medium rare

Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez

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.

The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat for rare meat

Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez

(Check this out the next time you overcook a piece of meat.)

Press the tip of your ring finger and your thumb together.

The flesh beneath the thumb should give a little more.

This is what meat cooked to a medium doneness feels like.

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

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.

Open up your palm again and compare raw to rare.