thoroughly cooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly cooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe food that has been cooked completely and safely, ensuring that it is ready to eat. Example: "Make sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked before serving to avoid any foodborne illnesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you are cooking chicken, then cook it for two minutes on each side until it is thoroughly cooked and it has started to caramelize.

WikiHow

Once boiled, place the spaghetti into the cooking utensil you're working with and allow to heat until thoroughly cooked.

WikiHow

Then stir into the boiling milk; cook until the flour is thoroughly cooked.

Cornell University

With LTTC (less than thoroughly cooked) accreditation, their burgers can be served rare.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cook, breaking up clumps, until browned and thoroughly cooked, about 8 to 9 minutes.

The New York Times - Food

Another disappointment was that the food was only lukewarm or cool, yet thoroughly cooked at center.

The New York Times

I sometimes also add a finely minced shallot, thoroughly cooked in a little butter.

The New York Times

Cassava, a major crop in Southeast Asia, is poisonous unless peeled and thoroughly cooked.

The New York Times

A thoroughly cooked finger might indicate that it came through Wendy's food supply chain.

The New York Times

Note: The eggplant shells will not be thoroughly cooked, and are not meant to be eaten.

The New York Times - Food

Thoroughly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, were safe to eat, officials said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use a meat thermometer to ensure that meat and poultry are "thoroughly cooked" to a safe internal temperature, preventing foodborne illnesses.

Common error

Avoid overcooking food in an attempt to ensure it is "thoroughly cooked". Overcooking can lead to dry, tough, and less palatable results. Use appropriate cooking times and temperatures to achieve the desired level of doneness without sacrificing quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly cooked" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun (typically food) to describe the extent and quality of the cooking process. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase ensures the food has been cooked completely and safely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

29%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thoroughly cooked" signifies that food has been cooked completely and safely, ensuring it is ready to eat. Ludwig AI validates that this is a correct and usable phrase in English. With a very common usage frequency, it appears across various contexts, including Wiki, News & Media, and Science. Ensuring food is "thoroughly cooked" is crucial for preventing foodborne illnesses, and using a meat thermometer is the best way to confirm doneness. While aiming for "thoroughly cooked" food is essential, avoid overcooking by using appropriate cooking times and temperatures. Alternatives like "fully cooked" or "well done" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully cooked

Focuses on the completeness of the cooking process.

well-cooked

Indicates a high degree of cooking, often implying a specific texture.

completely cooked

Emphasizes the absolute completeness of the cooking.

cooked through

Highlights that the cooking has reached the center of the food.

done to a crisp

Implies a very high level of cooking, resulting in a crisp texture.

cooked until safe

Focuses on the safety aspect of cooking, ensuring harmful bacteria are eliminated.

properly cooked

Highlights the correctness and adequacy of the cooking process.

sufficiently cooked

Indicates that the food has been cooked enough to meet requirements.

cooked to perfection

Emphasizes the ideal state of being cooked, with optimal texture and flavor.

baked to a turn

Describes the point where food is perfectly baked.

FAQs

How can I ensure chicken is "thoroughly cooked"?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part to be considered "fully cooked".

What does it mean when a recipe says to cook something until "thoroughly cooked"?

It means to cook the food until it reaches a safe internal temperature and the texture indicates it's "properly cooked", with no raw or undercooked parts remaining.

Is "thoroughly cooked" the same as "well-done"?

While similar, "thoroughly cooked" focuses on safety and reaching a minimum internal temperature, while "well-done" often implies a specific level of doneness, particularly for meat, which may exceed the minimum safe temperature.

What happens if food isn't "thoroughly cooked"?

Consuming food that isn't "completely cooked" can lead to foodborne illnesses due to the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites.