How to tell when your steak is done without a thermometer: 

just in case you don't have one or it's broken

Did you know there is a simple trick to estimating the doneness of your meat?

It doesn't require any tools...

All you need is your hands!

This trick takes some getting used to but it really works.

As always a meat thermometer is the sure way to know.

First lets start with raw meat

Open your left hand and with your right index finger press the fleshy part at the base of your thumb

Raw Steak

Now press on your uncooked steak with the utensil you are using to cook your steak.

 it should have the same resistance as your hand

Raw Steak

Raw Steak should never be consumed!

The recommended safe internal cooked temperature for steak is 145 

Thermometer

Lets move onto Rare 

With your left hand touch your index finger to your thumb. 

Repeat pressure check again.

Rare Steak

compare steak tenderness to hand again. 

 The meat will be hot so use your cooking utensil to gauge tenderness.

For Medium Rare 

use your left hand once again and touch your middle finger to your thumb. 

Repeat pressure check again.

Medium Rare Steak

compare steak tenderness to hand again. 

 The meat will be hot so use your cooking utensil to gauge tenderness.

For Medium 

Touch your ring finger to your thumb. 

Repeat pressure check again.

Are you starting to see a pattern?

Medium Steak

compare steak tenderness to hand again. 

 The meat will be hot so use your cooking utensil to gauge tenderness.

For Well Done

Touch your pinky finger to your thumb. 

Repeat the pressure check the final time.

And Finally ... 

Well Done Steak

compare steak tenderness to hand again. 

 The meat will be hot so use your cooking utensil to gauge tenderness.

Now you know ...

How to tell the doneness of your steak without a meat thermometer

Rare

Medium

Medium Rare

Well Done