can you eat raw steak

Raw steak can be eaten, but it carries some health risks. While intact steak generally has bacteria only on its surface—which can be killed by searing the outside—eating completely raw steak or dishes like steak tartare can expose you to harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter. These bacteria can cause food poisoning with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and more serious infections. Whether raw steak is safe depends on several factors: the quality and source of the beef, the handling and storage before consumption, and whether the surface has been seared to kill bacteria. High-quality beef from reputable sources and careful handling reduces the risk, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture advises cooking steak to at least 145°F internal temperature with a 3-minute rest for safety. People who are elderly, pregnant, very young, or immunocompromised should avoid eating raw steak altogether. In summary, eating raw steak (like steak tartare or blue rare steak) is culturally accepted and can be enjoyed safely if proper precautions are taken—such as sourcing from trusted suppliers and ensuring cleanliness—but it is not risk-free and can lead to serious foodborne illness if handled or stored improperly.