Is Steak Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 25, 2026
The Answer
Yes, steak is safe during pregnancy when cooked to at least 145°F (medium well to well done). Undercooked or rare steak should be avoided due to the risk of harmful bacteria and parasites.
Steak is an excellent source of iron, protein, and B vitamins during pregnancy, but proper cooking is essential. Undercooked meat can harbor Listeria, Toxoplasma, E. coli, and Salmonella all of which pose serious risks to your baby. The CDC and food safety guidelines recommend cooking whole cuts of beef to 145°F with a 3-minute rest to ensure safety.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Internal temperature of at least 145°F (use a meat thermometer)
- • Medium well to well done doneness with no pink center
- • Steaming hot throughout when served
- • Fresh cuts from reputable sources with proper refrigeration
- • Let steak rest 3 minutes after cooking before cutting
- • Safe to enjoy throughout all trimesters when properly cooked
✗ What to Avoid
- • Rare or medium rare steak (under 145°F internal temperature)
- • Any steak with a pink or red center
- • Pre marinated steaks containing bourbon, wine, or alcohol based sauces
- • Steak tartare or carpaccio (raw beef preparations)
- • Reheated steak that hasn't reached 165°F
Most Common Ingredients in Steak Products
We analyzed 631 steak products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Steak
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 631 steak products we analyzed.
sodium nitrite
CAUTION
Sodium nitrite is a preservative used to cure meats. May cause fetal hypoxia and has been associated with neural tube defects at high exposures.
Found in 21 of 631 products (3%)
bourbon
AVOID
Bourbon is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 5 of 631 products (1%)
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 3 of 631 products (0%)
horseradish horseradish
AVOID
Horseradish horseradish is a pungent root vegetable used as a condiment. Contains compounds that may cause digestive irritation and has shown developmental toxicity in animals.
Found in 2 of 631 products (0%)
hydrogenated soybean oil
CAUTION
Hydrogenated soybean oil is processed oils containing artificial trans fats. Is associated with preeclampsia and may interfere with fetal brain development.
Found in 2 of 631 products (0%)
port wine
AVOID
Port wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 2 of 631 products (0%)
sodium nitrites
CAUTION
Sodium nitrites is compounds used as food preservatives and found in water. May impair fetal oxygen availability and are associated with preterm birth at high exposure levels.
Found in 2 of 631 products (0%)
white wine
AVOID
White wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 2 of 631 products (0%)
Steak Products We've Analyzed
We graded 631 steak products for pregnancy safety. 479 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Steak Products
We found 479 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Sliced Steaks | Steak Umm |
| A | Wagyu Beef Steak Strip | Epic |
| A | Fire Grilled Steak | Evol |
| A | Tender Venison Steak Bites | — |
| A | Thinly Sliced Steak | Stryve |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat steak?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat steak as long as it's cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (medium well to well done). Steak provides important nutrients during pregnancy including iron, which helps prevent anemia, high quality protein for fetal development, and B vitamins that support your baby's brain development. Always use a meat thermometer to verify the temperature and avoid any pink in the center.
What are the risks of steak during pregnancy?
The main risks come from undercooked steak, which can contain harmful pathogens. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can cause miscarriage or birth defects. Listeria can cross the placenta and lead to serious complications including stillbirth. E. coli and Salmonella cause severe food poisoning that can be dangerous during pregnancy. These risks are eliminated when steak is cooked to the proper temperature of 145°F or higher.
Should I avoid steak in the first trimester?
No, you don't need to avoid steak in the first trimester you just need to ensure it's thoroughly cooked. The first trimester is actually a great time to eat iron rich foods like steak, as your blood volume begins increasing. Cook your steak to at least 145°F with no pink remaining. Many women find that well done steak is easier to tolerate during early pregnancy when food aversions are common.
Can I eat medium steak while pregnant?
Medium steak (around 135-145°F) is not recommended during pregnancy because it may still contain harmful bacteria in the pink center. For safety, pregnant women should order steak medium well to well done, ensuring an internal temperature of at least 145°F throughout. If you accidentally ate a medium steak, don't panic the risk of infection is relatively low, but monitor for symptoms like fever, muscle aches, or digestive issues and contact your healthcare provider if concerned.
What temperature should steak be for pregnancy?
Steak should reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F for pregnant women, followed by a 3-minute rest before cutting. This corresponds to medium well doneness. Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check insert it into the thickest part of the steak. At restaurants, don't hesitate to ask for your steak well done or to send it back if it arrives pink inside.
Is well done steak safe during pregnancy?
Yes, well done steak is the safest option during pregnancy. Cooking steak to well done (160°F or higher) ensures that any harmful bacteria, parasites, or pathogens are completely destroyed. While some people worry about losing nutrients, well done steak still provides excellent protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The slight reduction in juiciness is a worthwhile trade off for food safety during pregnancy.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
References
- https://www.foodsafety.gov/food safety charts/safe minimum internal temperatures
- https://chemm.hhs.gov/countermeasure_sodium nitrite.htm
- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/zeb.2012.0746
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1392223/
- https://oehha.ca.gov/sites/default/files/media/downloads/crnr/sodnithid.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2916857/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-27345-x
- https://www.americordblood.com/articles/nitrates and pregancy
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/tera.1420180311
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8824361/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3607976/
- https://www.fishersci.ca/shop/products/sodium nitrite-98-thermo scientific-1/p-7024287
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/201444s000lbl.pdf
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10305619/
- https://www.pharmacompass.com/chemistry chemical name/sodium nitrite
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/203923s001lbl.pdf
- https://go.drugbank.com/salts/DBSALT002657
- https://www.myactivehealth.com/hwcontent/content/multum/d07762a1.html
- https://www.buzzrx.com/blog/food and nitrates
- https://www.pharmaffiliates.com/en/7632-00-0-sodium nitrite pa2701381.html
