medium rare steak

Meaning

This refers to a steak cooked to an internal temperature of about 130–135°F (55–57°C), resulting in a warm, red center surrounded by a pink ring and a seared exterior. It is widely considered by chefs and steak lovers to be the ideal level of doneness because it keeps the meat juicy and tender. It is a very common order in steakhouses and restaurants.

Examples

• Most chefs recommend ordering a ribeye as a medium rare steak to preserve its flavor.

  Most chefs recommend ordering a ribeye as a medium rare steak to preserve its flavor.

• She ordered a medium rare steak, but the kitchen accidentally served it well done.

  She ordered a medium rare steak, but the kitchen accidentally served it well done.

• A perfect medium rare steak should have a warm, bright red center.

  A perfect medium rare steak should have a warm, bright red center.

• I usually grill the meat for about four minutes on each side to get a medium rare steak.

  I usually grill the meat for about four minutes on each side to get a medium rare steak.

• If you prefer your meat juicy and tender, you should try a medium rare steak.

  If you prefer your meat juicy and tender, you should try a medium rare steak.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want a half-cooked steak, please.

  ✓ I would like a medium rare steak, please.

  Non-native speakers often translate terms literally from their native language (e.g., 'half-cooked'). In English, the specific term is 'medium rare'.

• ✗ He ordered a medium-rarely steak.

  ✓ He ordered a medium rare steak.

  'Medium-rare' acts as a compound adjective modifying 'steak'. Do not use the adverbial ending '-ly' here.

Related Expressions

Practice

• For the juiciest flavor, many people prefer a ___.

  💡 A steak with a warm, red center.

  Show answer

  medium rare steak

• When the waiter asked how I wanted it cooked, I chose a ___.

  💡 The level of doneness between rare and medium.

  Show answer

  medium rare steak