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Learn the perfect pork cooking times for any cut of pork following this easy Pork Temperature Chart! Whether you're cooking pork chops for a weekday meal or a rack of pork for the holidays, this simple chart has all the pork temps you need to cook the best meal. No more worrying about over-cooking or under-cooking your pork!
Jump to:
- What Temperature is Pork Done?
- Pork Temperature Chart
- Pork Roast Temperature
- Pork Temperature - Grilled Pork
- Pork Temps - Smoked Pork
- Pork Cooking Temp - Slow Cooker Pork
- Pork Cooked Temperature - Air Fried Pork
- Internal Temp for Pork FAQs
- Printable Pork Temp Chart
- What to Serve with Pork
- Save the Pin! 📍
- 📖 Recipe
- Cooked Pork Temp - How to Grill Pork Chops
- 💬 Reviews
What Temperature is Pork Done?
The internal temp for pork should always be a minimum of 145°F. Allow approximately three minutes of rest time before slicing the pork.
Pork Temperature Chart
Pork is a budget-friendly, tasty choice for dinner, but even if you're familiar with cooking it, it can be easy to overcook it and wind up with a dry piece of pork (I have been there). Or worse, under-cook it and have it be inedible!
By keeping a pork temperature chart at hand, you will always know what the pork internal temp should be - and what the best cooking times and methods are for any cut of pork. I promise this pork temperature cooking chart will save you time, energy, and frustration.
What pork cut are you planning on cooking? Leave a comment with your favorite pork recipe below, and if this chart helped you - we would love to hear from you!
No matter what cooking method you use or what cut of pork you're preparing, unless it is ground pork or precooked ham, the internal temp for pork should always be a minimum of 145°F. Ground pork should reach a minimum of 160°F while precooked ham needs to reach 140°F.
Bear in mind this temperature is not ideal for fall-apart tender cuts that require more cooking time. The pork cooking chart below outlines the best internal temps for pork, including tender, pulled-pork cuts!
Pork Roast Temperature
Follow the below chart for oven pork temps. Make sure to use a meat thermometer for the best results.
| Pork Cut | Weight/Thickness (on average) | Internal Temperature (°F) | Roasting Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boneless Pork Loin Roast | 3 pounds | 145°F | 20-25 minutes per pound at 350°F |
| Boneless or Bone-in Pork Shoulder | 4-6 pounds | Fall-apart tender; cook until at least 180°F to 205°F | 40-55 minutes per pound at 300°F; finish by searing for 15 minutes at 475°F |
| Pork Spare Ribs | 3-4 pounds | Fall-apart tender; cook until at least 195°F to 200°F | 2.5-4 hours at 275°F |
| Baby Back Ribs | 1.5-2 pounds | Fall-apart tender; cook until at least 195°F to 200°F | 2.5-4 hours at 275°F |
| Whole Ham (Precooked) | 10-18 pounds | 140°F | 15-18 minutes per pound at 325°F |
| Half Ham (Precooked) | 5-10 pounds | 140°F | 18-24 minutes per pound at 325°F |
| Spiral Ham (Precooked) | 7-10 pounds | 140°F | 10 minutes per pound at 275°F |
| Pork Belly | 2.5 pounds | Fall-apart tender; cook until at least 165°F to 205°F | 2 hours at 300°F, covered; 30 minutes-1 hour basted and covered |
| Oven Pork Chops (Boneless) | 1.25 inches thick | 145°F | 7 minutes per ½-inch thickness at 400°F |
| Oven Pork Chops (Bone-in) | 1-1.5 inches thick | 145°F | 20-22 minutes at 400°F |
| Rack of Pork | 3 pounds | 155°F | Sear 10 minutes at 500°F; cook at 325°F for 30 minutes |
| Pork Tenderloin | 1-1.5 pounds | 155°F | Sear to brown on all sides, then roast at 400°F for 25 minutes |
Oven Pork Recipes
Pork Temperature - Grilled Pork
Follow the below chart for grilled pork temps. Make sure to use a meat thermometer for the best results. For any cut over 3⁄4-inch thick, close the grill lid.
| Pork Cut | Weight/Thickness (on average) | Internal Temperature (°F) | Grilling Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork Blade Steak/Pork Shoulder Steak | ½-inch to 3⁄4-inch thick | 145°F | Grill over medium heat 8-10 minutes per side |
| Grilled Pork Chops (Boneless) | 1.25 inches thick | 145°F | Sear over high heat 3 minutes each side; cook over indirect medium-high heat 5-6 minutes or until 145°F |
| Grilled Pork Chops (Bone-in) | 1-1.5 inches thick | 145°F | Sear over high heat 5 minutes each side; cook over indirect medium-high heat 15-20 minutes until 145°F |
| Ground Pork Burgers | ½-inch thick | 160°F | Medium heat, 4-5 minutes each side |
| Pork Tenderloin | 1-1.5 pounds | 145°F-160°F | 5-7 minutes per side at medium heat (350°F) |
| Pork Butt/Boston Butt | 4-5 pounds | Fall-apart tender; cook until at least 190°F to 195°F | 52 minutes up to 1 hour per pound of meat over indirect low heat, uncovered for first half |
| Boneless or Bone-in Pork Shoulder | 4-6 pounds | Fall-apart tender; cook until at least 180°F to 205°F | 52 minutes up to 1 hour per pound of meat over indirect low heat, uncovered for first half |
| Pork Belly | 4-5 pounds | Tender; cook until at least 160°F to 200°F | Indirect high heat (450°F to 550°F) for 30 minutes; then indirect medium heat until it reaches internal temp of 160°F (lid closed) |
| Rack of Pork | 3 pounds | 145°F | Sear 4 minutes on each side over direct high heat; cook 50 minutes over indirect heat, fat side up, flipping halfway through, until 145°F, |
| Pork Spare Ribs | 3-4 pounds | Tender; 195°F to 200°F | Indirect medium heat (300°F), lid closed, for 2 hours |
| Baby Back Ribs | 1.5-2 pounds | Tender; 195°F to 200°F | Grill at medium heat (300°F), lid closed, for 1 hour 15 minutes; check every 20 minutes, baste in final 15 minutes |
Grilled Pork Recipes
Pork Temps - Smoked Pork
Follow the below chart for smoked pork temps. Make sure to use a meat thermometer for best results as the temperature is more important than exact timing.
| Pork Cut | Weight/Thickness (on average) | Internal Temperature (°F) | Smoking Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork Shoulder | 4-6 pounds | 190°F | 8 hours at 225°F |
| Pork Tenderloin | 1-1.5 pounds | 145°F | 2 hours at 225°F |
| Pork Loin | 3 pounds | 145°F | 4-5 hours at 225°F |
| Pork Spare Ribs | 3-4 pounds | 160°F | 6 hours at 225-240°F |
| Baby Back Ribs | 1.5-2 pounds | 165°F+ | 5 hours at 225-240°F |
| Rack of Pork | 3 pounds | 145°F | 4 hours at 225°F |
| Pork Belly | 5.5 pounds | 195°F | 3 hours at 225°F |
| Pulled Pork Butt | 7 pounds | 203°F | 6 hours uncovered, then another 4-6 hours covered |
| Pulled Pork Brisket | 2.25-3.5 pounds | 195°F | 1.5 hours per pound at 225°F |
| Smoked Ham | 4 pounds | 150°F | 3 hours uncovered at 250°F |
Pork Cooking Temp - Slow Cooker Pork
Follow the below chart for slow cooker pork temps. Make sure to use a meat thermometer for the best results.
| Pork Cut | Weight/Thickness (on average) | Internal Temperature (°F) | Slow Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork Loin | 3-4 pounds | 145°F | High 5 hours or Low 6 hours |
| Pork Butt | 6-7 pounds | 195°F | High 7.5 hours or Low 9.5 hours |
| Pork Shoulder | 6-7 pounds | 195°F | High 7.5 hours or Low 9.5 hours |
| Baby Back Ribs | 3 pounds | 190°F | High 4 hours or Low 8 hours |
| Pork Spare Ribs (half-rack) | 3 pounds | 190°F | High 4 hours or Low 8 hours |
| Pork Chops | 2-inches thick | 145°F | High 2-3 hours or Low 5-6 hours |
| Pork Tenderloin | 1-3 pounds | 145°F | High 1-2 hours or Low 3-4 hours |
| Whole or Half Ham (pre-cooked) | 4-8 pounds | 140°F | Low 4-6 hours; check internal temp halfway for a small ham |
| Spiral Ham (pre-cooked) | 5-8 pounds | 140°F | Low 5 hours |
Slow Cooker Pork Recipes
Pork Cooked Temperature - Air Fried Pork
Follow the below chart for air fryer pork temps. Make sure to use a meat thermometer for best results and measure your air fryer to know what size cuts will fit.
| Pork Cut | Pork Weight or Thickness | Air Fryer Temperature | Internal Temperature | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pork Chops (Boneless) | ½-inch thick | 400°F | 145°F | 5 minutes on one side, 4-6 minutes opposite side |
| Pork Chops (Bone-in) | 1-1.5 inches thick | 380°F | 145°F | 5-6 minutes on each side |
| Pork Belly (Cubed) | 1.5 pounds in 1-inch thick cubes | 250°F-400°F | 195°F | Skin-side up for 25 minutes at 250°F, then 20 minutes at 400°F |
| Pork Tenderloin | 1-1.5 pounds | 400°F | 145°F | 20-22 minutes |
| Pork Burgers | ½ to 1-inch thick | 360°F | 160°F | 10 minutes; optionally, flip halfway |
| Ham (Precooked) | 5 pounds | 300°F | 150°F | 40 minutes wrapped in foil; 5 minutes unwrapped at 360°F |
| Baby back pork ribs | 3 pounds, cut into 4 sections | 350°F | 190-200°F | 30 minutes, flip and brush with sauce, then cook another 30 minutes |
Air Fryer Pork Recipes
Internal Temp for Pork FAQs
You should always use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of pork. All pork cuts, with the exception of ham and ground pork, are safe to eat at 145°F. Ground pork is safe at 160°F, while precooked ham is ready at 140°F. For other cuts, 145°F won't produce tender pork, so follow the suggested internal temperature for pork based on your cut by using a meat thermometer.
Some larger cuts and thicker pork chops will seem slightly pink even at the proper temperature of 145°F. They are safe to eat as long as the temperature is 145°F on a meat thermometer. This is why it is important to always use a meat thermometer to measure the doneness of pork.
Printable Pork Temp Chart
For a printer-friendly version of every pork temp chart shown above, see: Pork Temperature Chart (printer-friendly PDF)
What to Serve with Pork
Did you enjoy this guide? Try more of my best pork recipes, and leave a comment and rating below! We love to hear from you.
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Cooked Pork Temp - How to Grill Pork Chops
Equipment
- grill charcoal or gas
- meat thermometer
- grilling tongs
Ingredients
- 2 pork chops 1½-inch thick cut, bone-in
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat grill to high heat and completely coat pork chops with olive oil.2 pork chops, 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Season pork chops on both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika
- Add pork chops to the grill. Sear 5 minutes on each side, then reduce heat to medium-high. Move the pork chops to indirect heat on the upper rack. If you do not have an upper rack, transfer the heat to only one side of the grill and place the pork chops on the opposite side. Close the lid.
- Cook until the internal temperature reads 145℉ on a meat thermometer, about 15-20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- You can cook pork chops of any size following this recipe - rather than following an exact time, aim for an internal temperature of 145℉ for any size pork chop.
- High heat on a gas grill means the knobs should be turned as high as the grill can go. For a charcoal grill, aim for 500℉ minimum.
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