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    Home » Recipes » How-to's & Guides » Pork Temperature Chart

    Pork Temperature Chart

    Published: Aug 30, 2023 Modified: Aug 29, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    Cook your favorite pork chop recipes and more to perfection following my easy Pork Temperature Chart! From pork tenderloin to pork chops, roasts, and even ham, you’ll find all the info you need here. Let’s get started!

    Roasted pork tenderloin sliced in a pan with honey garlic sauce
    Jump to:
    • Cooking Pork
    • Pork Internal Temperature
    • Pork Chop Temperature
    • Pork Shoulder Temperature (Pork Butt)
    • Pork Roast Temperature
    • Pork Ribs Temperature
    • Ham Temperature
    • Ground Pork Temperature
    • Pork Internal Temp FAQ
    • Temperature Charts
    • 📌 Pin it for later!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Pork Temperature Chart
    • 💬 Reviews

    Cooking Pork

    I’ve always been a big fan of pork recipes, but the same can’t be said for everyone in my family! One too many dry, over-cooked pork chops, and you might think pork has little to offer in comparison to beef or chicken.

    But, it has plenty to offer: if you cook pork perfectly, it makes a tender, juicy protein perfect for taking on the flavors of whatever you pair it with. Best of all, pork is more budget-friendly than ever, so you can save some money cooking it, too.

    Whether you’re just getting started cooking pork, or simply want a better method, this pork temperature chart is for you. Not to mention, I’ve included some of my family’s favorite pork recipes so you can test your skills!

    sliced pork steaks with potaotes and lemons on a cutting board

    Pork Internal Temperature

    As a general rule, the minimum internal temperature for pork, such as chops or roasts, is 145°F as recommended by the USDA.

    However, some cuts, such as precooked ham or ground pork, may call for a lower or higher internal temperature depending on the cut.

    Read on to find the internal temperature for pork cuts of all kinds, including pork chops, tenderloin, ham, and more!

    Pork Chop Temperature

    CutInternal Temperature
    Boneless Pork Chops145°F
    Bone-in Pork Chops145°F

    Regardless of cooking method, both bone-in and boneless pork chops require an internal temperature of 145°F to be cooked through. Although the standard used to be higher, you are over-cooking your pork if you cook it further than 145°F.

    Use an instant read meat thermometer to measure the temperature of your pork chops. For best results, take it off the heat as soon as it reaches the proper internal temperature, and let it rest before slicing.

    See all of our pork chops here: Pork Chop Recipes.

    instant pot pork chops overtop mashed potatoes

    Pork Shoulder Temperature (Pork Butt)

    Cooking MethodInternal Temperature
    Smoked Pork Shoulder195°F to 205°F
    Grilled Pork Shoulder195°F to 205°F

    Pork shoulder, interchangeably with pork butt, is technically cooked through as soon as it reaches 145°F; however, similar to beef chuck roast, this cut of meat is better when you cook it for longer.

    Pork shoulder and butt are the ideal cuts of pork to make pulled pork, and whether you’re grilling, smoking, or slow-cooking the meat, you want it to be fall-apart tender to shred easily and achieve the best taste.

    For smaller pork butts, you may not need as high of a temperature. Aim for between 180°F to 190°F for a smaller cut.

    Smoked Pork Butt
    Learn how to make smoked pork butt using a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes prep! Smoked pork makes the best pulled pork.
    Get this recipe!
    Smoked pork butt in a pan
    Grilled Pork Butt
    Tender, juicy, and full of flavor, there is nothing like grilled pork butt! The crispy skin on the outside but super tender meat makes this easy pork recipe perfect for making pulled pork on the grill.
    Get this recipe!
    Grilled Pork Butt Recipe - Pork Butt on the Grill

    Pork Roast Temperature

    Roast Pork CutInternal Temperature
    Bone-in Pork Loin (rack of pork)145°F
    Boneless Pork Loin145°F
    Pork Tenderloin145°F

    Just as with pork chops, the ideal pork roast temperature is 145°F. For best results, remove roasts from the heat source at 140°F and allow them to rest for at least 10 minutes until they come to temperature.

    Oven Pork Tenderloin
    Learn how to bake pork tenderloin for perfect Oven Baked Pork Tenderloin every time, paired with a delicious honey garlic sauce!
    Get this recipe!
    pork tenderloin sliced in a pan with garlic, carrots, and herbs
    Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
    Learn how to make pork tenderloin in the air fryer! My Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe is fork-tender, juicy and ready in 30 minutes.
    Get this recipe!
    close up of sliced air fryer pork tenderloin on a white plate with roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach
    Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
    Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin is quick, easy, and delicious! Ready in 30 minutes or less using simple ingredients and perfect for special occasions!
    Get this recipe!
    sliced instant pot pork tenderloin on a white platter
    Rack of Pork (Bone-in Pork Loin)
    Learn how to make a tender, crusted Oven-Roasted Rack of Pork! This recipe for pork rib roast is so easy to make, it basically cooks itself.
    Get this recipe!
    sliced rack of pork on a white plate with vegetables

    Pork Ribs Temperature

    Pork Ribs CutInternal Temperature
    Baby Back Ribs198°F to 200°F
    Spare Ribs198°F to 200°F
    Country-Style Ribs205°F to 210°F
    St. Louis-Style Ribs200°F to 205°F

    Just like pork shoulder and pork butt, the ideal internal temperature for pork ribs is higher than the USDA standard. For fall-off-the-bone results, cook all ribs to above 195°F.

    However, some people prefer their ribs less fall-off-the-bone than this level of doneness. If you like a bit more chew to your ribs, cook low and slow and aim for between the minimum of 145°F and 180°F.

    Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
    My Slow Cooker Pork Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce are fall-apart tender and so easy to make in your crock pot, with only 10 minutes of prep!
    Get this recipe!
    Slow cooker pork ribs on a platter
    Grilled Baby Back Ribs
    Our BBQ Baby Back Ribs on the Grill will change your grilling game forever! This is the juiciest, most delicious pork rib recipe, that’s fall-off-the-bone tender with barbecue sauce and a homemade dry rub.
    Get this recipe!
    Baby back ribs close up on a cutting board
    Air Fryer Ribs
    Learn how to make air fryer pork ribs using just a few simple ingredients in only 35 minutes! Easy and so delicious!
    Get this recipe!
    Air fryer pork ribs on a black plate with bbq dipping sauce

    Ham Temperature

    Style of Pre-Cooked HamInternal Temperature
    Boneless Ham140°F
    Bone-in Ham140°F
    Spiral Ham140°F
    Ham Shank140°F
    Ham Steak145°F

    Because most hams are purchased pre-cooked, they require a slightly lower temperature than pork purchased raw. If you purchase your ham uncooked, make sure to reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

    The most important way to make sure you do not overcook or dry out your ham is to baste it before, during, and after the cooking time with ham glaze, and to cover it with foil at the appropriate times.

    Honey Glazed Ham
    This is the BEST ham glaze recipe out there! Your guests are going to love our easy Sunday Ham recipe! It is the perfect holiday ham.
    Get this recipe!
    honey glazed ham in a white dish
    Ham Steak Recipe
    Delicious glazed ham steaks right out of a big Easter dinner- ready in only ten minutes! These ham steaks are a for-sure hit every time!
    Get this recipe!
    a dinner plate filled with ham steak, sauteed green beans, and roasted potatoes
    Instant Pot Ham
    Not only does it taste amazing, but Instant Pot Ham really is the easiest way to make ham. It takes just 15 minutes to cook, and the reverse sear gives it a super flavorful, crispy, and sticky skin.
    Get this recipe!
    Close up of Instant Pot Ham with two orange wedges
    Air Fryer Ham
    Air fryer ham has a perfectly crispy, sticky skin, and will save you time and space in your oven so you can get all of your holiday cooking done without any hassle!
    Get this recipe!
    Close up of air fryer ham with citrus and candied carrots
    Pineapple Ham
    Gorgeous Pineapple Ham is the perfect balance of sweet-and-savory, complete with homemade brown sugar and pineapple ham glaze!
    Get this recipe!
    ham with pineapple rings on roasting rack

    Ground Pork Temperature

    RecipeInternal Temperature
    Ground Pork Burgers160°F
    Ground Pork Meatballs160°F
    Ground Pork Meatloaf160°F
    Ground Pork Chili160°F
    Ground Pork Tacos160°F
    Plain Ground Pork160°F

    No matter what cooking method you’re using or recipe, ground pork should always reach an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety purposes. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of ground pork as necessary.

    Ground pork requires a higher temperature than other cuts due to the grinding process, which exposes the internal meat to bacteria found on the outside. Cooking to 160°F kills this bacteria.

    Pork Internal Temp FAQ

    Is pork done at 145 or 160?

    Pork cuts such as pork chops, cutlets, and roasts are safe to eat at a temperature of 145°F, and are over-cooked when cooked to a higher temperature. Pork ribs are best cooked to a temperature above 190°F. However, ground pork requires an internal temperature of 160°F to be safe to eat.

    Is it OK if pork is a little pink?

    It is completely normal if pork is a little pink internally, especially depending on the cooking method used (smoking results in more pinkish meat). Just like beef, this color of pork is considered “medium-rare”. To be completely certain your pork is safe to eat, you must use an internal meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 145°F internally.

    Temperature Charts

    • Chicken Temperature Chart
    • Steak Temperature Chart
    • Turkey Temperature

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    📋 Recipe

    oven baked pork chops over mashed potatoes with pork gravy

    Pork Temperature Chart

    Isabel Laessig
    Follow my easy Pork Temperature Chart to cook pork perfectly every time – no more tough pork or guess-work!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 pork chops
    Calories 461 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cooking spray

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 Bone-in pork chops
    • ½ cup Italian panko breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
    • 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
    • 2 eggs
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 450℉ and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. In a bowl combine both breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese, and mix well.
      ½ cup Italian panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon Garlic powder, ½ cup Parmesan cheese
      mixing pork chops breading in a clear bowl
    • Using a fork, whisk the eggs into a bowl large enough to dip each of the pork chops.
      2 eggs
      whisked egg on a white plate
    • Dip each pork chop in the egg mixture until well coated on all sides.
      4 Bone-in pork chops
      dipping bone in pork chops in egg wash mixture
    • Place in the breadcrumb mixture and make sure to completely cover each pork chop with the breadcrumbs.
      dipping bone in pork chop in breadcrumb mixture
    • Place breaded pork chop on a greased baking dish.
      bone in pork chops on a baking tray before being baked
    • Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the internal temperature of the pork chops is 145℉, approximately 20 minutes depending on the thickness of your pork chops.
      bone in pork chops on a baking tray after being baked
    • Serve immediately and enjoy!
      oven baked pork chop over mashed potatoes on a black plate

    Video

    Notes

    • Make sure to bake your pork chops at a high temp. This helps caramelize your pork chops and lock in their juices.
    • Don’t overcook your pork chops, once they reach an internal temperature between 145℉ and 150℉ take them out of the oven.
    • Let your pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to ensure moist, juicy pork chops!
    • My family loves bone-in pork chops, but you can easily make this recipe with boneless pork chops.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pork chopCalories: 461kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 60gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 246mgSodium: 619mgPotassium: 933mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 245IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 244mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword cooking pork, pork chop temperature, pork internal temp, pork temperature chart
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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table!

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