Burgers
Burgers are safe during pregnancy when cooked all the way through with no pink meat remaining. A rare or medium-rare burger should be avoided.
Burgers need to be cooked thoroughly during pregnancy, with no pink meat in the middle and juices running clear. Like sausages, burger meat is minced, which means any surface bacteria gets mixed throughout the patty rather than staying on the outside where cooking heat reaches it first — this is the key difference from a steak, where searching the surface is generally enough. A rare or medium-rare burger, which some restaurants offer or which can happen easily on a barbecue where the outside chars before the centre cooks, should be avoided. Well-done burgers from restaurants, fast food chains, and home cooking are all safe. If eating out, it's fine to ask for a burger to be cooked well done.
What to be aware of
- Cook burgers all the way through — no pink meat and juices running clear.
- Avoid rare or medium-rare burgers, including at restaurants offering a pink option.
- Be extra careful on barbecues, where burgers can look done on the outside before the centre is fully cooked.
- Ask restaurants or takeaways for burgers cooked well done if unsure.
- Reheat any pre-cooked burgers until piping hot throughout.
NHS guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
US guidance
USDA guidance matches the NHS position: ground beef burgers should reach an internal temperature of 71°C (160°F) with no pink remaining before eating.