How Long to Cook Beef

How Long to Cook Beef How Long to Cook Beef Beef when cooked properly can be a delicious dish to serve but when not fully cooked it can turn out to be diners horror. There are various ways of cooking beef. It can be roasted, fried, grilled, broiled, smoked and so on. One of the important factors that must be considered while cooking beef is the right cooking time at desired temperature.

Shape and size of the meat, amount of bones and fat present and several other factors determine the proper cooking time. However, the standard internal temperature for rare beef is 130 degrees; it is 150 degrees for medium and 170 degrees for perfectly done. A meat thermometer or instant read thermometer is used to test the temperature of beef. It is inserted into the center of the meat without touching any bones.

Microwave

When beef is cooked in a microwave, the finished product generally has tougher texture than when cooked with other methods. Though in most of the cases it is cooked within 10 to 15 minutes of time, the cooking time can vary depending upon the amount of meat being cooked as well as the power of the microwave being used.

Oven

When roasting is your cooking method, then you must know that different types of roasting will require different cooking time and temperatures. For instance,

A 5- to 8-lb standing rib roast will take approximately 17-20 minutes per pound for rare, 20-22 minutes for medium rare, 22-25 minutes for medium, and 27-30 minutes for perfectly done at a constant oven temperature of 300°F (160°C)
A sirloin roast of 8- to 12-lbs will take approxiomately15-20 minutes for rare, 20-22 for medium rare, 22-25 for medium, and 26-30 for well done.
A boneless top round will take nearly 28-30 minutes for rare, 30-33 for medium rare, 34-38 for medium, and 40-45 for well done.

It is always recommended to test the roasted meat with a meat thermometer at the end of the cooking time. The roast should be removed from the oven when it is about 5 degrees cooler than the desired temperature (it will continue to cook even outside the oven).

Smoker

Smoked beef is cooked by placing the raw meat into the smoker and then allowing to it cook slowly by indirect heat that is supplied from burning coal or wood. Depending upon the amount and size of meat being cooked, carefully gauge the cooking time. This is essential because the smaller roasts reach the desired temperature faster than the larger roasts. For instance approximately 1 hour per pound is apt for the largest roast. However, if you are cooking one 10-lb. roast and two 8-lb. roasts, then cooking time should be about 10 hours.

Barbecue, Broil and Frying

Cooking individual portions of beef by broiling, frying or grilling requires each side of the piece to be exposed to the heat for a particular time. According to the thickness of the meat, each side should preferably be cooked for 4 to 8 minutes.

Cooking Time for Beef

Type of beef	Size	Cooking method	Cooking time	Internal temperature
Rib Roast, bone in	4 to 6 lbs.	Roast 325°	23-25 min./lb. 27-30 min./lb. 32-34 min./lb.	Medium rare 145° Medium 160° Well done 170°
Rib Roast, boneless rolled	4 to 6 lbs.	Roast 325°	Add 5-8 min./lb. to times above	Same as above
Chuck Roast, Brisket	3 to 4 lbs.	*Braise 325°	2 to 3 hours	Medium 160°
Round or Rump Roast	2½ to 4 lbs.	Roast 325°	30-35 min./lb. 35-40 min./lb.	Medium rare 145° Medium 160°
Tenderloin, whole half	4 to 6 lbs. 2 to 3 lbs.	Roast 425°	45-60 min. total 35-45 min. total	Medium rare 145° Medium 160°
Steaks	¾” thick	Broil/Grill	4-5 min. per side 6-7 min. per side	Medium rare 145° Medium 160°
Stew or Shank Cross Cuts	1 to 1½”thick	Cover with liquid; simmer	2 to 3 hours	Medium 160°
Short Ribs	4″ long and 2″ thick	*Braise 325°	1½ to 2 ½ hours	Medium160