• Nutrition

Which Meats are Safe to Eat Raw?

Published: July 07, 2025
Updated: July 07, 2025
4 mins

Whether it’s sushi or steak tartare, raw meats require careful preparation to be consumed safely. Raw meat dishes are a common practice in many cuisines around the world. Raw foods can have several benefits, including high amounts of vitamins and minerals, iron, and healthy fatty acids.

The best way to avoid the risk of foodborne illness in raw meat is to thoroughly cook all of the meat you consume. However, some meats may be safer to consume raw than others when properly prepped and stored.

Improper prep and storage of raw meats can lead to E. coli and other bacterial infections in the food. If you are pregnant or have certain health conditions, your healthcare provider may recommend avoiding eating raw meat entirely.

Is it Safe to Eat Raw Meat?

Consuming raw meat increases your risk of being exposed to harmful bacteria like the following:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli)

• Listeria

• Clostridium perfringens

• Staphylococcus aureus

• Campylobacter

Foodborne illnesses often come from swallowing harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. You may not always notice symptoms right away. Some people may not see symptoms until a few days after eating contaminated meat.

Common symptoms of foodborne illness (also known as food poisoning) include the following:

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Dehydration

When experiencing food poisoning, it’s important to get rest and drink plenty of water. Be sure to reach out for emergency help if you see bloody diarrhea and signs of severe dehydration.

How Does Cooking Meat Prevent Illness?

When meat is cooked, it goes through the process of pasteurization. Pasteurization is when heat is applied to the meat and helps to kill harmful bacteria. Generally, harmful bacteria are prevented when food is cooked at a temperature of at least 167° F (75° C).

Common Raw Meat Dishes 

Generally, it’s safe to eat any fresh, raw meat that is stored and prepared properly (this includes oysters, sushi, steak, and more). To avoid illness, try to stick to eating raw meat dishes right away and avoid leaving them out in the open for long periods of time. 

The following dishes consist of raw seafood, beef, and other meats:

• Ceviche: An acidic Latin American dish made of fish. The dish is often cubed and cured overnight.

• Sashimi: A Japanese dish of sliced fish (salmon, tuna, shrimp, etc.) often enjoyed with various sushi roll dishes.

• Steak tartare: Originally a Parisian dish, steak tartare is the raw form of an American-style steak often prepared with a raw egg and other creamy ingredients.

• Carpaccio: A Venetian dish of thinly sliced meat (traditionally beef) covered with a mayonnaise-based dressing.

• Pesce crudo: An Italian raw fish dish made with an assortment of oils and tangy flavors.

• Kitfo: An Ethiopian dish of raw minced meat, chili powder, and spiced clarified butter. Kitfo is often served with injera. 

• Prosciutto: Prosciutto is a thinly sliced Italian ham that goes through a salting process.

Meats You Should Never Eat Raw

Processed meats, packaged poultry, and packaged pork have an increased risk of bacterial and parasitic contamination in facilities during the packaging process. However, the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) has taken steps to reinforce food safety laws to further prevent the contamination of purchased meats.

Ground meat is slightly more likely to cause foodborne illness than other forms of raw meat. The risk of harmful bacteria is higher in ground beef than in thicker chunks of meat. E. coli is a common bacterium present in raw forms of ground beef. 

In general, any form of raw meat can become unsafe to consume. Make sure you keep raw meats in closed containers in your refrigerator. If unsure, ask questions about how a dish with potentially undercooked meat is prepared at a restaurant before ordering it.

Who Should Not Eat Raw Meat?

The risk of foodborne illness is possible for anyone who consumes raw meat. However, the following groups of people are slightly more likely to get sick from eating raw meat that is improperly stored or prepared:

• Pregnant individuals

• Young children under the age of five

• Those diagnosed with a chronic illness

• Elderly adults over the age of 70

• Those with a weakened immune system

Tips for Meat Prep and Cooking

When cooking meat, it’s important to keep your cleaning area clean and dry. Cross-contamination can occur when remnants from raw meat are spread from the hands to utensils during the cooking process. Remember to wash your hands before and right after touching meat to avoid spreading any harmful bacteria onto surfaces.

When cooking bigger meat dishes, consider purchasing a food thermometer to verify that your food is at a safe internal temperature. Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat for an accurate temperature measurement.

Remember to put leftover cooked meat in the fridge after you’re done eating. Leaving cooked meat out for too long and then eating it later can lead to foodborne illness as well. If you suspect that any raw foods in your fridge are spoiled, it’s best to throw them away immediately.

The best ways to thaw frozen meats are in a microwave or containers filled with cold water. Raw meat placed on a counter may harbor harmful bacteria that can spread to the surface.

Where Can I Learn More About Eating Healthy?

In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, making sure your food is properly prepared is an important part of staying healthy. With LifeMD, a licensed healthcare provider can answer any questions you may have on safely preparing healthy dishes at home. LifeMD also offers medications for food poisoning and other gastrointestinal complications. 

If you want to be more intentional about your health, consider getting started with LifeMD today to receive access to these resources and more.

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