Cooking with Shirley Home Page
Roasting Time for Meats
To roast meats, place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan (except rib roasts which form their own rack), fat side up. It is suggested that you leave roast out of the refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours in a moderately heated room (70º F), depending on size so it isn’t icy cold. For ham, if desired, score the top in a diamond pattern. Do not add water or liquid and do not cover. Roast for the time indicated based on the number of pounds. Important: Use a meat thermometer always inserted into the meatiest part of the roast to the center, but not touching any bone. An instant read thermometer is preferable. Follow the recommended internal temperatures on thermometer.
Beef Roasts
Cut |
Temp (º F) |
Weight (Pounds) |
Doneness |
Roasting Time (Hours) |
Standing Rib Roast |
400 1 hr. 325 to done |
4 to 6 |
140º rare 160º med 170º well |
1 ¼ to 2 ¾ 2 to 3 ¼ 2 ¼ to 3 ¾ |
Boneless Rib Eye Roast |
350 |
4 to 6 |
140º rare 160º med 170º well |
1 ¼ to 1 ½ 1 ½ to 2 2 to 2 ½ |
Boneless Sirloin Roast |
325 |
4 to 6 |
140º rare 160º med 170º well |
2 ¼ to 2 ¾ 2 ¼ to 3 ¼ 3 ¼ to 3 ¾ |
Eye of Round Roast |
325 |
2 to 3 |
140º rare 160º med 170º well |
1 ¼ to 1 ¾ 1 ¾ to 2 ¼ 2 ¼ to 2 ¾ |
Boneless Rolled Rump Roast |
325 |
4 to 6 |
150-170 |
1 ½ to 3 |
Tenderloin Roast |
425 |
Half 2 to 3 Whole 4 to 6 |
140º rare 140º rare |
¾ to 1 ¾ to 1 |
Tip Roast |
325 |
3 to 5 6 to 8 |
140º- 170º 140º- 170º |
1 ¾ to 3 ¼ 3 to 4 ½ |
Top Round Roast |
325 |
4 to 6 |
140º- 170º |
1 ½ to 3 |
Veal Roasts
Cut |
Temp (º F) |
Weight (Pounds) |
Doneness |
Roasting Time (Hours) |
Boneless Rolled Breast Roast |
325 |
2 ½ to 3 ½ |
170º well |
1 ¾ to 2 ½ |
Boneless Rolled Shoulder Roast |
325 |
3 to 5 |
170º well |
2 ¾ to 3 ¼ |
Loin Roast |
325 |
3 to 5 |
160º-170º |
1 ¾ to 3 |
Rib Roast |
325 |
3 to 5 |
160º-170º |
1 ¼ to 2 ½ |
Lamb Roasts
Cut |
Temp (º F) |
Weight (Pounds) |
Doneness |
Roasting Time (Hours) |
Boneless Rolled Leg Roast |
325 |
4 to 7 |
160º med-well |
2 to 4 |
Boneless Rolled Shoulder |
325 |
2 to 3 |
160º med-well |
1 ¼ to 2 |
Rib Roast |
325 |
1 ¾ to 2 ½ |
140º rare 160º med-well |
¾ to 1 1 to 1 ½ |
Whole Leg of Lamb |
325 |
5 to 7 |
140º rare 160º med-well |
1 ½ to 2 ½ 2 to 3 |
Pork Roasts & Ribs
Cut |
Temp (º F) |
Weight (Pounds) |
Doneness |
Roasting Time (Hours) |
Boneless Top Loin Roast Single Loin Double Loin, tied |
325 |
2 to 4 3 to 5 |
160º-170º 160º-170º |
1 to 1 ¼ 1 ¾ to 2 ½ |
Loin Back Ribs, Spareribs |
350 |
2 to 4 |
Well-done |
1 ½ to 1 ¾ |
Country Style Ribs |
350 |
2 to 4 |
Well-done |
1 ½ to 2 |
Loin Blade or Sirloin Roast |
325 |
3 to 4 |
170º well |
1 ¾ to 2 ½ |
Loin Center Rib Roast*& |
325 |
3 to 5 |
160º-170º |
1 ½ to 2 ½ |
Rib Crown Roast |
325 |
6 to 8 |
160º-170º |
2 to 3 ½ |
Tenderloin Roast |
425 |
¾ to 1 |
160º-170º |
25 to 35 minutes |
*Pork should be cooked until the juices run clear.
**Backbone loosened
Ham
There are different kinds of ham available at your market; however, just remember a few basic definitions:
1. Fully Cooked Ham. It is ready to eat when you purchase it. If you want to serve it cold, just slice it up and serve it. If you want it hot, just heat it to 140º F.
2. Hams Labeled “Cook Before Eating”). These hams are not completely cooked during the processing and should be cooked to 160º F. If you aren’t certain, cook your ham to 160º F.
3. Country or Country-Style Hams. These are distinctively flavored and specially processed. They are cured, but may not be smoked and are usually aged. Country hams are generally saltier than other hams and are often named for the city where they are processed. Follow package directions for these hams.
4.
Cooked Ham Cooked to 140º (based upon refrigerated, cold ham)
Cut |
Temp (º F) |
Weight (lbs) |
Roast Time (Per Pound) |
Roast Time (Hours) |
Half Ham |
325 |
6 to 8 |
15 – 17 minutes |
2 |
Whole Ham |
325 |
12 to 14 |
12 to 15 minutes |
3 |
Boned, Rolled Half Ham |
325 |
8 |
15 to 17 minutes |
2 ½ |
Whole Ham |
325 |
12 to 14 |
12 to 15 minutes |
4 |
Uncooked Ham Cooked to 160º (based upon refrigerated, cold ham)
Cut |
Temp (º F) |
Weight (lbs) |
Roast Time (Per Pound) |
Roast Time (Hours) |
Half Ham |
325 |
6 to 8 |
25 minutes |
3 |
Whole Ham |
325 |
10 |
18 to 20 minutes |
4 |
Ham |
325 |
10 to 12 |
18 to 20 minutes |
3 ½ |
Ham |
325 |
12 to 14 |
16 to 18 minutes |
3 ¾ |
Ham |
325 |
14 to 16 & over |
14 to 16 minutes |
3 ¾ & up |
Boned, Rolled Ham |
325 |
8 |
25 minutes |
4 |
Canned Ham Cooked to 140º (based on room temperature ham)
Cut |
Temp (º F) |
Weight (lbs) |
Roast Time (Per Pound) |
Roast Time (Hours) |
Small Ham |
325 |
6 |
20 minutes |
2 |
Large Ham |
325 |
8 to 13 |
15 minutes |
2 ½ to 3 |
Times on cooking all meats are approximate. Use reliable meat thermometer.
Outdoor Grilling Chart
Open Grill |
Open Grill |
Covered Grill |
Covered Grill |
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Food Type |
Cut or Portion |
Weight or Thickness |
Temperature |
Rare |
Medium |
Rare |
Medium |
Beef |
Burgers |
1/2-inch 3/4-inch |
Medium-hot Medium-hot |
10-12 min. 10-12 min. |
12-15 min. 12-15 min. |
7-9 min. 8-10 min. |
8-10 min. 10-12 min. |
Beef |
T-bone, Porter-house, Sirloin, or Tenderloin |
1-inch 1-1/2-inch |
Medium-hot Medium-hot |
12-15 min. 18-20 min. |
15-18 min. 18-23 min. |
8-10 min. 10-15 min. |
10-15 min. 15-18 min. |
Lamb |
Rib chops |
1-inch 1-1/2-inch |
Medium Medium |
25-30 min. |
20-25 min. 28-32 min. |
20-25 min. |
20-25 min. 23-28 min. |
Lamb |
Rack of Lamb |
3 pounds |
Medium |
18-22 min. |
15-17 min. |
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Pork* |
Loin chops |
1-inch 1-1/2-inch |
Medium Medium |
18-22 min. 22-25 min. |
12-15 min. 18-22 min. |
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Pork |
Baby back ribs or spare ribs |
5-6 pounds |
Medium |
1-1/4-hrs. (raw meat) |
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Pork |
Baby back ribs or spare ribs |
5-6 pounds |
Medium |
7-10 min. (precooked) |
5-7 min. (precooked) |
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Well done |
Well done |
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Ham |
Fully cooked slice |
1/2-inch 1-inch |
Medium-hot Medium |
10-12 min. 25-30 min. |
8-10 min. 20-25 min. |
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Chicken |
Fryer pieces |
3 pounds |
Medium-hot |
35-40 min. |
25-30 min. |
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Chicken |
Fryer halves |
3 pounds |
Medium-hot |
1-1/2 hrs. |
1-1-1/4 hrs. |
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Chicken |
Roasting, unstuffed |
3-4 pounds |
Medium |
2-2-1/2 hrs. |
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|
Breast |
6-8 pounds |
Medium |
3-3-2/3 hrs. |
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|
Unstuffed |
12-14 pounds |
Medium |
3-1/2-4 hrs. |
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Fish |
Salmon or Halibut steaks |
3/4-inch 1-1-1/2-inch |
Medium Medium-hot |
17-22 min. 10-15 min. |
14-16 min. 9-14 min. |
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Fish |
Trout, snapper or whitefish |
6-8 ounces each |
Medium-hot |
10-15 min. |
10-12 min. |
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Seafood |
Shrimp, large |
2 pounds |
Hot |
15-18 min. |
13-16 min. |
*Pork should be cooked until the juices run clear.
Things will vary with certain conditions such as:
· Whether the meat was just taken from the refrigerator or is at room temperature.
· Whether the outdoor temperature is cold and windy or hot and calm.
· Whether you are using a covered or uncovered grill.
· Whether you are using a gas grill with a temperature control or just charcoal.
· The thickness of the meat.
· Whether you will set it directly in front of someone to eat immediately or if it has to rest before carving. Rested meat will continue to cook a little bit.
· Whether there is exposed fat on the meat that will drip onto the fire and flare up.
It is important that you follow the manufacturer's instructions in the use and care of your particular barbecue. They vary greatly and can make a decided difference in the outcome of your meal. Remember also that all tomato based basting sauces and marinades have a tendency to burn due to the sugar content. Use them only at the last few minutes and if it is a meat that needs to cook a long time, precook the meat by steaming, boiling or roasting it first before bringing it to the barbecue.
Pan Broiling or Pan Frying Meat
To pan broil meat, preheat a heavy skillet over high heat until very hot. Do not add water or fat. Either brush lightly with cooking oil or spray with vegetable oil spray. Add meat. Do not cover. Reduce heat to medium and cook for the time given or until done, turning meat over after half of the cooking time. If meat browns too quickly, reduce heat to medium-low. Spoon off fat and juices as they accumulate during cooking.
To pan fry meat, using a heavy skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter or margarine. Add meat. Do not cover. Reduce heat to medium and cook for time given or until done, turning meat over after half of the cooking time.
If you are cooking indoors, be certain you are using your kitchen fan or your smoke alarm will go off. If you turn off smoke alarm, set a timer to make sure you turn it back on again.
Beef
Cut |
Thickness |
Doneness |
Pan Broiling Time |
Pan Frying Time) |
Cubed Steak |
½ inch |
Well-done |
5 to 8 minutes |
6 to 8 minutes |
Steak (sirloin, top loin, tenderloin, rib-eye, top round |
1 inch |
Rare Medium Well-done |
6 to 8 minutes 9 to 12 minutes 14 to 18 minutes |
8 to 11 minutes 12 to 14 minutes 15 to 17 minutes |
Veal
Cut |
Thickness |
Doneness |
Pan Broiling Time |
Pan Frying Time) |
Cutlet |
¼ inch |
Medium to Well-done |
3 to 5 minutes |
4 to 6 minutes |
Lamb
Cut |
Thickness |
Doneness |
Pan Broiling Time |
Pan Frying Time) |
Chop |
1 inch |
Medium |
7 to 9 minutes |
8 to 10 minutes |
Pork*
Cut |
Thickness |
Doneness |
Pan Broiling Time |
Pan Frying Time) |
Chop |
¾ inch |
Medium to Well-done |
7 to 10 minutes |
7 to 10 minutes |
*Pork should be cooked until the juices run clear.
Variety Meats
Cut |
Thickness |
Doneness |
Pan Broiling Time |
Regular Sliced Bacon |
1/8 inch |
Well-done |
8 to 10 minutes |
Thick Sliced Bacon |
¼ inch |
Well-done |
9 to 12 minutes |
Canadian Bacon |
¼ |
Heated |
3 to 5 minutes |
Ground Meat Patties Beef, pork*, lamb |
¾ inch |
Medium to Well-done |
8 to 10 minutes 10 to 12 minutes |
Link Sausages, uncooked |
Small |
Well-done |
See below |
Link Sausages, uncooked |
Large |
Well-done |
See below |
*Pork should be cooked until the juices run clear.
When cooking uncooked link sausages, place into a cool heavy skillet and add cold water just to cover bottom of pan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and strongly simmer 4 to 7 minutes (depending on whether sausages are large or small). Drain off any remaining water and return to medium heat and brown sausages. They are actually cooked during the simmering water process, but taste much better after browning. These links can also be placed on a grill after the water process.