To wash or not to wash? What’s the truth about meat before cooking?

If you’ve ever been in the kitchen with a piece of meat in your hands, you’ve surely wondered:

“Should I wash it before cooking it or not?”

It’s one of the most common questions - and the truth is that for years we heard different opinions from moms, grandmothers, and friends.

It’s time to clear up what’s really true 👇

Should we wash meat before cooking?

The short answer is:
No, you don’t need to wash meat before cooking it. Not only is it unnecessary, but in many cases it’s not a good idea either.

Why isn’t washing meat recommended?

The main reason has to do with hygiene, not the “dirtiness” of the meat.

When you wash raw meat under the tap:

• Water can spread bacteria around the sink and nearby surfaces
  
• Microscopic droplets reach countertops, utensils, or other foods
  
• This creates a greater risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen

So how is meat cleaned?

Here’s the important point:
Proper cooking is what makes meat safe.

Heat:

• kills bacteria
  
• makes food safe to eat

That’s why the main thing to focus on isn’t washing, but:

• proper cooking
  
• the right temperature
  
• the right cooking time

Is there anything I should do before cooking?

Yes - and it’s very simple:
👉 Pat the meat dry with paper towels.

This helps:

• to remove excess moisture
  
• to cook it more evenly
  
• to get a nicer crust (especially on steaks)

What about chicken specifically?

This is where the biggest confusion arises.

Many people believe that chicken “must” be washed.
👉 But exactly the same applies:

We don’t wash it.

Chicken is actually one of the foods that:

• have a higher risk of spreading bacteria
  
• “fly” around easily as droplets when they come into contact with water

So washing does more harm than good.

When might someone wash meat?

There are a few exceptions, but they have nothing to do with “cleanliness.”

For example:

• when you want to remove small bones
  
• in very specific traditional recipes

Even then, though:
👉 requires great care and cleaning the kitchen immediately afterward.

5 basic kitchen hygiene rules

Instead of washing the meat, keep these in mind:

✔ Wash your hands well before and after
✔ Clean surfaces and utensils after contact with raw meat
✔ Don’t use the same knife for everything
✔ Keep raw meat away from other foods
✔ Cook the meat properly (don’t leave it undercooked)

The secret to delicious & safe meat at home

At the end of the day, a good result doesn’t come from washing.

It comes from:

• the right choice of meat
  
• proper preparation
  
• proper cooking

And of course… out of love for home-cooked food ❤️