You Won’t Believe What Internal Pork Chop Temp Should Be (Experts Weigh In!)

Sat, 02 May 2026 19:05:55 +0000

# You Won’t Believe What Internal Pork Chop Temp Should Be: Experts Weigh In! When it comes to cooking pork, many home cooks stick to general guidelines—often guessing when to pull that juicy chop off the grill, skillet, or oven. But what’s the external internal temperature you should aim for? Spoiler: It’s more precise than you think—and here, experts reveals the honest truth backed by food safety science. ## The Official Safe Temperature: 145°F with a 3-Minute Rest According to the USDA and leading culinary experts, the safe internal temperature for properly cooked pork chops is 145°F (63°C). This reading ensures all harmful bacteria—like Salmonella and E. coli—are eliminated while keeping moisture intact. But here’s the twist: the USDA emphasizes that pork should be allowed to rest for at least 3 minutes after cooking. During resting, the internal temperature continues to rise slightly (due to residual heat), safely reaching the required threshold without overcooking.