Though the basic premise of measuring the temperature of meat is simple, that number can easily be misleading if not taken properly.

For many cooks, the only truly foolproof way of telling the doneness of your meat is by using a thermometer. With one, the guesswork goes away entirely.

While you don’t need to use a meat thermometer when cooking your Thanksgiving turkey, it’s the easiest and most accurate way to know when the turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat.

Cooking times of different meats can vary, so experts recommend ditching the clock and grabbing a meat thermometer instead. (Getty Images) With summer on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to ...

Best Meat Thermometers While Matijevich recommends ThermoPro and Taylor meat thermometer brands, we also did some research to find some of the best on the market.

“Using a meat thermometer in the thickest part of your meat is the best way to accurately test the temperature,” says Nadeau.

An instant-read thermometer is the key to cooking meat to your desired temperature — as long as you use it correctly.