Can Pork Be Pink and Safe to Eat? The Truth Revealed

By Tom Wilmer
April 14, 2023

Pork is a beloved ingredient in many recipes worldwide, but safety concerns have also been raised. Among these concerns is whether pork can be pink and still be safe to eat. While the color of pork can vary, it doesn’t necessarily indicate its safety or lack thereof. The color of cooked pork can be affected by many different factors. To mention a few examples: is it raw or cooked? Fresh or frozen? What kind of cooking technique was used?

There’s always been some confusion surrounding pink pork, whether it’s safe to eat, and how pork should be when cooked. Let’s explore these questions and pork preparation’s intricacies to ensure delicious and safe consumption.

Can Pork Be Pink?

Raw pork often has a pinkish color, which is normal. There are various factors that can affect the color of the pork, such as genetics, diet, and processing techniques.

The main factor influencing the pork’s color is the myoglobin level found in the muscle tissues. The pork meat with more myoglobin will be darker, while the one with less will be lighter.

When we are talking about cooked pork, you would expect it to be completely white after cooking, but it can still have a slightly pink color even if it’s fully cooked.

Many factors can influence the color of cooked pork, such as the cooking method, the meat cut, and the age of the pig. A pork chop, for instance, may still have a pinkish color near the bone even when fully cooked, while ground pork may appear uniformly brown when cooked.

Although a slightly pink color in cooked pork doesn’t mean it is unsafe to eat, it is crucial to ensure it is fully cooked to avoid getting sick from harmful bacteria. The USDA guidelines state that pork should have an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), followed by a three-minute rest before eating or carving. This temperature is sufficient enough to eliminate viruses, parasites, or bacteria that could cause foodborne illnesses.

Can You Eat Pink Pork?

Many people wonder if it’s safe to eat pork that looks more than slightly pink. As mentioned earlier, pork can have a pink color even when it’s fully cooked. However, is it still safe to consume pork that appears to be more pink than usual?

Although it’s not recommended to consume pork that appears more pink than usual or is not fully cooked as it can pose a risk of foodborne illness, it’s safe to eat pork that has a slightly pink color once it has been cooked to the recommended internal temperature.

Using a meat thermometer is important to make sure pork is safe to consume. Take the temperature of the thickest part of the meat while avoiding bones or fat. If the temperature is below 145°F (63°C), continue cooking until it reaches the recommended temperature.

How to Know When Pork Is Done?

Knowing when pork is fully cooked is crucial to ensure that it’s safe to eat. Here are a few tips to determine if your pork is done:

Use a meat thermometer: Now, this is kind of obvious, but if you really want to make sure that your pork is done, it is best to use a meat thermometer. As earlier stated by the USDA, pork should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). When inserting the thermometer, ensure it is placed in the thickest part of the meat while avoiding any bones or fat. You can also cook the pork to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure your meat is cooked properly.
Check the texture: Fully cooked pork should have a firm texture but not be tough or rubbery. It may not be thoroughly cooked if the meat feels soft or mushy.
Cut into the meat: To ensure your pork is cooked well, you can check by cutting in the meat. Look for clear juices and make sure there are no traces of pink or red.

Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable method to determine if your pork is fully cooked. However, checking the color, texture, and juice color can also provide some clues.

How to Store Leftover Pork?

Properly storing leftover pork is crucial to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and to ensure that it remains safe to eat. Here are some tips for storing leftover pork:

Refrigerate promptly: To prevent bacteria from growing, it’s crucial to refrigerate leftover pork as soon as possible after cooking. Aim to put it in the fridge within two hours.
Divide into small portions: For quick cooling of the pork, divide it into small portions and store each portion in a separate container. This will also make it easier to reheat the pork later on.
Store in airtight containers: To avoid spoiling and drying out the pork, ensure to either wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in airtight containers to prevent any air from getting in.
Label and date: Label the container of your leftover pork with the date it was stored in the fridge to keep track of its freshness.
Store in the fridge or freezer: You can keep your leftover pork in the refrigerator for a maximum of four days. If you are not planning to consume it during that period, you can put it in the freezer and store it for longer.
Reheat properly: To make sure leftover pork is safe to eat, heat it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when reheating. You can use the microwave, oven, or stovetop to reheat it.

To prevent foodborne illness, storing your leftover pork safely is important. Make sure to refrigerate or freeze it as soon as possible and reheat it thoroughly before eating.

How to Reheat Leftover Pork?

To heat up leftover pork, you can consider these methods:

Microwave: To quickly and conveniently heat up pork, place it in a dish that is safe for the microwave, cover it with a damp paper towel or a microwave-safe lid, and microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remember to stir or flip it and continue microwaving in 30-second increments until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Oven: To reheat the pork in the oven, set the temp to 350°F (175°C) and place the pork in an oven-safe dish. Cover it and bake for 10-15 minutes or until it is heated through.
Stovetop: Another way to heat the pork is to put it in a skillet with a little oil or water and cook over medium heat; make sure to stir until it’s heated through occasionally.

No matter which method you use, make sure that the pork reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F before eating. In any case, don’t forget to:

Cover the dish: To prevent the pork from drying out, cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel when microwaving.
Stir or flip: To ensure even heating, halfway through reheating pork in the microwave or oven, stir or flip it.
Use a thermometer: Check the internal temperature of the pork to make sure it’s reached the optimal internal temp.

FAQ

Can pork be a little pink in the middle?

Yes, properly cooked pork can have a slightly pink hue in the center and still be safe to eat.

What color should cooked pork be?

It is important to note that the center of cooked pork can have a light pink color. However, the color alone is not a reliable factor in determining whether the pork is properly cooked or not. To ensure it is safe to eat, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

What happens if you eat undercooked pork?

To avoid getting sick with trichinellosis, which causes symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, muscle pain, and fever, it is important that you cook pork to the recommended temperature and avoid eating it undercooked.

How pink can pork be?

Pork can be pink as long as it has reached the ideal internal temperature. The color is not the best indicator to determine whether your meat is cooked or not.

Conclusion

To clarify, pork does not have to turn white when fully cooked. So can pork be pink? It can still be safe to eat even when it remains a little pink if it has reached the recommended cooking temperature. To ensure perfectly cooked pork, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and prevent overcooking, which can cause the meat to become tough and dry.

To avoid getting sick from food, it’s important to store and reheat leftover pork properly. Just follow these guidelines, and you can safely enjoy tasty pork. Don’t worry about a slight pink hue the next time you cook pork!