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A raw meat diet for dogs is a popular one. It’s supposed to mimic what a dog would eat in the wild instead of feeding them cooked, processed meat that could wipe away some of its natural nutrients. But can humans eat raw meat? That’s something that’s been debated for centuries. We’re going to clear the air on this one with some interesting facts you probably didn’t know about raw meat and how it works with the human diet.
Can I Eat Raw Beef?
You go to your favorite steakhouse and order your steak rare. It comes out looking more like raw steak than cooked. Is it safe to eat? Or, maybe you just prefer the flavor of raw beef over cooked beef (believe it or not, some do!). Is there any harm in chowing down?
There are some steak dishes that are meant to be served raw. Steak tartare, for example, is a raw ground beef patty served with raw egg yolk, onions, and other various ingredients. The thing is, no expert would ever recommend that you make steak tartare at home – unless, of course, you’re an expert chef and know how to do it correctly!
Raw beef can definitely be harmful if it’s not quality beef. Creating a steak tartare from ground beef you pick up at the grocery store is a big, giant no-no. That beef could contain various unknown parts of a whole herd of cows and, if consumed raw, could put harmful bacteria into your gut.
If you order a raw steak from the steakhouse, some may say, “No way!” while others will be glad to do it. The difference? Steakhouses that accept your raw steak order likely use high-quality beef and know exactly where it’s sourced from. They also have highly-trained professional chefs who know how to handle the meat properly, so it doesn’t get contaminated.
Eating Raw Beef Safely
Just like raw chicken and pork, raw beef can be problematic and contains its fair share of dangerous bacteria. It’s safer than eating raw chicken or pork, but that doesn’t make it 100% safe. Just a few of the infections or viruses eating raw steak could cause include listeriosis, salmonellosis, and E. Coli poisoning. Searing the outside of a steak effectively kills surface bacteria. Since the interior is not exposed to bacteria from the environment, air, or cooking equipment, the center of the steak remains safe to eat even if cooked rare. The USDA advises against eating raw or undercooked steak due to the risk of harmful bacteria. To ensure safety, cook steak to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F, followed by a 3-minute rest period to kill any bacteria or viruses that may be present.
Eating raw meat doesn’t have to be a no-go, though, if you’re dead-set on doing it. The most important thing you can do is source your beef carefully. Order meat online from a trusted source or head to your local butcher who knows where every slab of his beef comes from. It’s also a good idea to purchase whole slabs of beef and cut it yourself (or watch the butcher do it) to ensure that the meat is coming from the same animal.
Once you take your raw steak home, be sure to put it right in the freezer or fridge if you’re not going to eat it immediately. Store your steak covered, away from other foods and out of the way of anything that could drip on it. Make sure your refrigerator is set at 40-degrees Fahrenheit or below to keep it nice and cold!
Bottom Line: Raw Steak Can Be Safe
Although we don’t necessarily recommend eating raw beef (there are so many things that could go wrong!), it’s not an idea you have to throw out the window. Using the right handling methods and sourcing the beef from only the best places can keep steaks as safe as possible for raw consumption.