Is Steak Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Steak is safe during pregnancy when cooked to at least 145°F (medium) with a 3-minute rest. Avoid rare or medium rare steak as undercooked beef can harbor harmful bacteria and parasites.
Properly cooked steak is an excellent source of iron, protein, and B vitamins during pregnancy. However, undercooked beef poses risks from Listeria, Toxoplasma, E. coli, and Salmonella all of which can cause serious complications for your baby. The key is ensuring your steak reaches a safe internal temperature to eliminate these pathogens.
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 (63°C) for whole cuts, verified with a meat thermometer
- • Medium to well done doneness no pink or red center, juices should run clear
- • Let steak rest for 3 minutes after cooking to allow residual heat to kill remaining bacteria
- • Fresh cuts from reputable sources with proper refrigeration (below 40°F)
- • Plain beef steaks without alcohol based marinades or sauces containing wine or bourbon
- • Steak can be enjoyed 2-3 times per week as part of a balanced diet for iron intake
✗ What to Avoid
- • Rare or medium rare steak (under 145°F)—undercooked beef may contain Toxoplasma or Listeria
- • Steak tartare or carpaccio (raw beef preparations)
- • Pre marinated steaks with bourbon, port wine, or white wine alcohol should be avoided entirely
- • Steaks with visible pink or red in the center or bloody juices
- • Deli style steak strips that may not be heated to safe temperatures
- • Leaving cooked steak at room temperature for more than 2 hours
Most Common Ingredients in Steak Products
We analyzed 437 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 437 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 10 of 437 products (2%)
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 3 of 437 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 2 of 437 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 1 of 437 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 1 of 437 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 1 of 437 products (0%)
sodium benzoate added as a preservative
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate added as a preservative is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 1 of 437 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 1 of 437 products (0%)
Steak Products We've Analyzed
We graded 437 steak products for pregnancy safety. 335 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Steak Products
We found 335 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Seasoned Sirloin Philly Steak | Great Value |
| A | Beef Top Round Steak For London Broil | Grass Run Farms |
| A | Organic Grass Fed Angus Beef Tenderloin Steak | Trader Joe'S |
| A | Culinary Cuts Prime Beef Filet Mignon Tenderloin Steak, Beef | — |
| A | Culinary Cuts Prime Beef Ribeye Steak, Culinary Cuts Prime Beef | Private Selection |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat steak?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat steak when it's cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (medium doneness) and allowed to rest for 3 minutes. Steak is actually beneficial during pregnancy, providing high quality protein, iron to prevent anemia, B vitamins for fetal brain development, and zinc for immune function. The key is avoiding undercooked preparations no rare or medium rare steaks until after pregnancy.
What are the risks of steak during pregnancy?
The main risks come from undercooked steak, which can harbor Toxoplasma gondii (causing toxoplasmosis), Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and Salmonella. Toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious birth defects. Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to preterm labor and newborn infections. These risks are eliminated when steak is cooked to 145°F or higher, which is why proper cooking temperature is essential.
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 properly cooked. Well done steak is actually recommended during early pregnancy because it provides iron and protein crucial for fetal development. The first trimester is when the baby's organs are forming, making it especially important to avoid foodborne illness risks from undercooked meat. Use a meat thermometer to verify 145°F internal temperature.
How should I order my steak while pregnant?
Order your steak medium well or well done when dining out during pregnancy. Politely ask the server to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F. If your steak arrives with any pink in the center, send it back for additional cooking. Many restaurants are accommodating of pregnancy food safety requests. When in doubt, choose dishes where the beef is clearly cooked through, like steak fajitas or stir fry.
I ate a medium steak while pregnant should I worry?
If you accidentally ate a medium steak (around 140°F), don't panic. The risk of infection from a single serving is relatively low, especially if the meat was fresh and from a reputable source. Monitor yourself for symptoms like fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea over the next few weeks. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any concerning symptoms. Going forward, aim for medium well (150°F) or well done (160°F) to be safe.
What temperature should steak be for pregnancy?
Steak should reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) for pregnancy safety, followed by a 3-minute rest period. This corresponds to medium doneness. For extra caution, many healthcare providers recommend 160°F (well done). Use an instant read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak color alone is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Ground beef products should always reach 160°F.
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.
People Also Checked
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
