How to Determine When a Steak is done

The easiest way to see if a steak is done is to cut into a piece and look inside, but people who cook a lot of meat learn to judge doneness by touch and by the look of the meat’s surface. Meat is muscle, which contracts and becomes firm to the touch as it heats. As meat continues to heat through, it also releases juices, which form on its surface. Initially these juices are red, but as the meat approaches medium and medium well, the juices turn pink and then brown. To train yourself to judge by touch and appearance, cut into the meat but also poke it with a finger to test its firmness, and notice what the juices look like.