Can You Eat Burgers When Pregnant?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS foods-to-avoid guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Burgers are safe in pregnancy only when cooked all the way through with no pink — never order a burger rare or medium while pregnant.
Why are burgers safe in pregnancy?
Minced meat carries surface bacteria all the way through the patty, so burgers must be thoroughly cooked to be safe in pregnancy — steaming hot, no pink in the middle, juices running clear. A properly cooked burger is completely fine; a pink-in-the-middle 'gourmet' burger is not.
You can also check the calorie content of burgers alongside their safety information. Also check medication safety during pregnancy if you're managing any conditions.
The exception
Ask for burgers well done when eating out. If it arrives pink, send it back.
Why a burger is stricter than a steak
The NHS foods-to-avoid page (reviewed 15 June 2026) lists 'thoroughly cooked minced meat, burgers and sausages, and black pudding' as safe and adds that 'there should be no trace of pink or blood after cooking'. The same page lets you eat steaks that are only 'thoroughly cooked on the outside'. We found no source that explains the difference in plain words; the nearest is that the NHS puts rolled joints and minced meat in the 'cook all the way through' group. Nidirect says to 'be especially careful with poultry, pork, sausages and burgers', and Tommy's names 'undercooked meat, especially poultry, pork, sausages and burgers' among foods to avoid.
The Food Standards Agency's time-and-temperature standard
The FSA's guidance for food businesses that serve less than thoroughly cooked beef burgers (latest revision May 2023) defines 'thoroughly cooked' as 70°C for two minutes 'or an equivalent time/temperature combination', which it says gives a six-log (99.9999%) reduction in harmful bacteria. The same guidance advises that children, pregnant women and anyone with a weaker immune system have their burgers well done.
| Core temperature of the burger | Hold for at least | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 60°C | 45 minutes | FSA equivalent combinations |
| 65°C | 10 minutes | FSA |
| 70°C | 2 minutes | FSA headline standard |
| 75°C | 30 seconds | FSA |
| 80°C | 6 seconds | FSA |
This is guidance for businesses, so the times describe a controlled kitchen, not a home frying pan. At home, the practical use is a probe thermometer pushed into the middle of the thickest patty: you want it hot throughout, not just on the surface.
Colour is not a reliable test, in either direction
The NHS says no trace of pink. The FSA guidance adds a warning: 'The colour of a beef burger cannot be used as the sole indication of safe cooking', and notes that some thoroughly cooked burgers, such as sous vide ones, can still look pink inside. So a grey-brown burger is not proof of safe cooking, and a faintly pink one is not proof of danger. At home, use a thermometer. In a restaurant, the simplest approach is the one the FSA recommends for pregnancy: ask for it well done.
Ordering and cooking: a quick guide (our application of the sources)
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Restaurant offers 'pink' or 'rare' burgers | Ask for well done; the FSA says pregnant women should have burgers well done |
| Frozen supermarket burgers | Cook to the pack instructions and check the middle is hot with no pink or blood |
| Homemade burgers from fresh mince | Mince spreads surface bacteria through the meat, so cook all the way through |
| Meatballs and kebabs | Minced meat, so the same rule applies (BNF: minced meat 'including burgers and meatballs') |
| Lamb or beef burger on a barbecue | Check the centre; charred outsides on a barbecue can hide a raw middle (our caution, not a source quote) |
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (page last reviewed 15 June 2026) — thoroughly cooked minced meat, burgers and sausages; no trace of pink or blood; rolled joints
- Food Standards Agency: Less than thoroughly cooked beef burgers, guidance for food businesses and local authorities (latest revision May 2023; the page said it would be reviewed before June 2025) — 70C for 2 minutes and equivalents; pregnant women well done; colour not a sole indicator
- nidirect: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (last updated 3 April 2025) — be especially careful with poultry, pork, sausages and burgers
- Tommy's: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (last reviewed 6 September 2024) — undercooked meat especially poultry, pork, sausages and burgers
- British Nutrition Foundation: What not to eat when pregnant (reviewed June 2018, revised July 2023) — minced meat including burgers and meatballs cooked until steaming hot
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Pregnancy essentials
Pregnancy food guide
A paper reference for the fridge door — no more mid-supermarket googling.
Check Price →Digital food thermometer
Cooked through means 75°C in the middle — a probe ends the guesswork.
Check Price →Links open your local Amazon store. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Want to know exactly what's in your food? Our ingredient checker covers E-numbers, allergens and vegan status.
More pregnancy essentials
Baby-safe food thermometer
Useful for pregnancy cooking checks and later for baby food.
Check Price →Burgers: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| Reheating | Yes — once only |
| Left out overnight | No — throw it away (limit about 2 h) |
Common questions
Can I eat burgers in the first trimester?
Yes — fully cooked burgers are safe at every stage of pregnancy.
Is a small amount of burgers OK during pregnancy?
No limit applies to properly cooked burgers; enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.
I accidentally ate burgers while pregnant — what should I do?
Fully cooked burgers are safe, so no action is needed. If you suspect it was undercooked, the risk from one meal is still low — mention any flu-like symptoms to your midwife or GP.
Is cooked burgers safe in pregnancy?
Yes — fully cooked is exactly how burgers should be eaten during pregnancy.
Can I eat a pink burger if the restaurant says it is safe?
The NHS says no trace of pink, and the FSA's guidance for businesses serving less-cooked burgers advises pregnant women to have them well done. The FSA also says colour alone cannot show safe cooking, so ask for well done.
What temperature should a burger reach?
The FSA standard is 70°C for two minutes, or an equivalent such as 75°C for 30 seconds or 65°C for 10 minutes.
Are sausages treated the same way as burgers?
Yes. The NHS lists thoroughly cooked minced meat, burgers and sausages together, with no trace of pink or blood. See <a href='/can-you-eat-sausages-when-pregnant/'>sausages when pregnant</a>.
Related answers
Primary source: NHS foods-to-avoid guidance.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.