Rare vs. Raw — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 20, 2024
Rare meat is cooked lightly, retaining a soft, red center, while raw meat is uncooked, maintaining its natural texture and color.
Difference Between Rare and Raw
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rare meat is typically cooked to an internal temperature of 120-130°F, which leaves the center red and slightly warm, whereas raw meat is not exposed to heat, keeping it at its natural, unaltered state.
In culinary contexts, choosing rare preparation often enhances flavor and tenderness in beef steaks, while raw meat is used in dishes like sushi and tartare, prized for their distinct textures and tastes.
Health considerations differ significantly; rare meat, though lightly cooked, is usually heated enough to kill some bacteria on its surface. On the other hand, raw meat requires careful handling to avoid contamination and potential health risks.
Regarding texture, rare meat is soft and moist but offers some resistance when chewed, contrasting sharply with raw meat, which can range from tough to very tender, depending on the cut and treatment.
Consumer preferences vary widely; some prefer the juiciness and flavor concentration of rare cooked meats, while others appreciate the natural, unmasked flavors found in raw dishes.
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Comparison Chart
Cooking Temperature
120-130°F (49-54°C)
No cooking
Typical Dishes
Steak, roasts
Sushi, tartare
Texture
Soft, moist, warm center
Varies, generally softer or tougher
Health Risk
Lower risk, surface bacteria killed
Higher risk, potential for bacteria
Culinary Preference
Favored for enhanced flavor and tenderness
Valued for natural flavors and textures
Compare with Definitions
Rare
Seldom found in a particular area.
This bird is rare in northern regions.
Raw
Not cooked.
He used raw onions in the salad.
Rare
Partially cooked with a red center.
He ordered his steak rare to enjoy its natural flavors.
Raw
Exposed or susceptible to harm.
His comments left her feeling raw and vulnerable.
Rare
Infrequently occurring; uncommon.
It's rare to find such dedication in volunteers these days.
Raw
In a natural, unrefined state.
She used raw silk for her dress design.
Rare
Exceptional; remarkable.
His talent for painting is truly rare.
Raw
Crude or rudimentary.
His raw depiction of urban life struck a chord with many.
Rare
Less done than medium.
She prefers her meat rare, not medium or well-done.
Raw
Unprocessed or untreated.
Raw data must be analyzed before conclusions can be drawn.
Rare
Infrequently occurring; uncommon
A rare event.
A plant that is rare in this region.
Raw
Uncooked
Raw meat.
Rare
Excellent; extraordinary
A rare sense of honor.
Raw
Being in a natural condition; not processed or refined
Raw wool.
Rare
Thin in density; rarefied
Rare air.
Raw
Not finished, covered, or coated
Raw wood.
Rare
Cooked just a short time so as to retain juice and redness
A rare steak.
Raw
Not having been subjected to adjustment, treatment, or analysis
Raw data.
The raw cost of production.
Rare
Very uncommon; scarce.
Black pearls are very rare and therefore very valuable.
Raw
Undeveloped or unused
Raw land.
Rare
(of a gas) Thin; of low density.
Raw
Recently finished; fresh
Raw plaster.
Rare
Good; enjoyable.
Raw
Inexperienced or untrained
A raw youth.
Raw recruits.
Rare
(cooking) Particularly of meat, especially beefsteak: cooked very lightly, so the meat is still red.
Well done
Raw
Having subcutaneous tissue exposed
A raw wound.
Rare
(obsolete) Early.
Raw
Inflamed; sore
A raw throat.
Rare
(gaming) A scarce or uncommon item.
Raw
Unpleasantly damp and chilly
Raw weather.
Rare
To rear, rise up, start backwards.
Raw
Powerfully impressive; stark
Raw beauty.
Raw talent.
Rare
To rear, bring up, raise.
Raw
Direct in description and explicit in realistic detail
The film's raw depiction of urban poverty.
Rare
Early.
Rude mechanicals that rare and lateWork in the market place.
Raw
Crude, vulgar, or coarse
Raw language.
Rare
Nearly raw; partially cooked; not thoroughly cooked; underdone; as, rare beef or mutton.
New-laid eggs, which Baucis' busy careTurned by a gentle fire, and roasted rare.
Raw
Nude; naked
Was standing there raw.
Rare
Not frequent; seldom met with or occurring; unusual; as, a rare event.
Raw
Engaged in without the protection of a condom.
Rare
Of an uncommon nature; unusually excellent; valuable to a degree seldom found.
Rare work, all filled with terror and delight.
Above the rest I judge one beauty rare.
Raw
(Slang) Without a condom; unprotected.
Rare
Thinly scattered; dispersed.
Those rare and solitary, these in flocks.
Raw
(cooking) of food Not cooked.
There's nothing but raw eggs for breakfast.
Rare
Characterized by wide separation of parts; of loose texture; not thick or dense; thin; as, a rare atmosphere at high elevations.
Water is nineteen times lighter, and by consequence nineteen times rarer, than gold.
A perfect union of wit and judgment is one of the rarest things in the world.
When any particular piece of money grew very scarce, it was often recoined by a succeeding emperor.
Raw
Not treated or processed; in a natural state, unrefined, unprocessed.
Raw cane sugar
Raw sewage
Rare
Not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness;
A rare word
Rare books
Raw
Having had the skin removed or abraded; chafed, tender; exposed, lacerated.
A raw wound
Rare
Recurring only at long intervals;
A rare appearance
Total eclipses are rare events
Raw
New or inexperienced.
A raw beginner
Rare
Not widely distributed;
Rare herbs
Rare patches of gree in the desert
Raw
Crude in quality; rough, uneven, unsophisticated.
A raw voice
Rare
Marked by an uncommon quality; especially superlative or extreme of its kind;
What is so rare as a day in June
A rare skill
An uncommon sense of humor
She was kind to an uncommon degree
Raw
Uncorrected, without analysis.
Rare
Having low density;
Rare gasses
Lightheaded from the rarefied mountain air
Raw
Unpleasantly cold or damp.
A raw wind
Rare
(of meat) cooked a short time; still red inside;
Rare roast beef
Raw
Unmasked, undisguised, strongly expressed.
Raw emotion
Raw
Candid in a representation of unpleasant facts, conditions, etc.
A raw description of the American political arena
Raw
(obsolete) Not covered; bare; bald.
Raw
(slang) Without a condom.
We did it raw.
Raw
An unprocessed sugar; a batch of such.
Raw
A galled place; an inveterate sore.
Raw
A point about which a person is particularly sensitive.
Raw
A recording or rip of a show that has not been fansubbed.
Raw
A scan that has not been cleaned purged of blemishes arising from the scanning process and has not been scanlated.
Raw
(slang) To anally or vaginally penetrate without a condom.
Raw
Not altered from its natural state; not prepared by the action of heat; as, raw sienna;
Raw
Hence: Unprepared for use or enjoyment; immature; unripe; unseasoned; inexperienced; unpracticed; untried; as, raw soldiers; a raw recruit.
Approved himself to the raw judgment of the multitude.
Raw
Not worked in due form; in the natural state; untouched by art; unwrought.
Raw
Not covered; bare.
And all his sinews waxen weak and rawThrough long imprisonment.
Raw
Disagreeably damp or cold; chilly; bleak; as, a raw wind.
Raw
A raw, sore, or galled place; a sensitive spot; as, to touch one on the raw.
Like savage hackney coachmen, they know where there is a raw.
Raw
Informal terms for nakedness;
In the raw
In the altogether
In his birthday suit
Raw
(used especially of commodities) in the natural unprocessed condition;
Natural yogurt
Natural produce
Raw wool
Raw sugar
Bales of rude cotton
Raw
Having the surface exposed and painful;
A raw wound
Raw
Not treated with heat to prepare it for eating
Raw
Not processed or refined;
Raw sewage
Raw
Devoid of elaboration or diminution or concealment; bare and pure;
Naked ambition
Raw fury
You may kill someone someday with your raw power
Raw
Brutally unfair or harsh;
Received raw treatment from his friends
A raw deal
Raw
Not processed or subjected to analysis;
Raw data
The raw cost of production
Only the crude vital statistics
Raw
Untempered and unrefined;
Raw talent
Raw beauty
Raw
Unpleasantly cold and damp;
Bleak winds of the North Atlantic
Raw
Inflamed and painful;
His throat was raw
Had a sore throat
Raw
Used of wood and furniture;
Raw wood
Raw
Lacking training or experience;
The new men were eager to fight
Raw recruits
He was still wet behind the ears when he shipped as a hand on a merchant vessel
Raw
(used informally) completely unclothed
Common Curiosities
Why do some people prefer meat rare?
Some prefer rare meat for its enhanced flavor and tenderness.
Can eating raw meat be dangerous?
Yes, consuming raw meat can pose health risks due to potential bacteria and parasites.
Is rare meat safe to eat?
Rare meat is generally safe as it is cooked enough to kill surface bacteria.
What textures are associated with rare meat?
Rare meat is typically soft and moist.
What is the main difference between rare and raw meat?
Rare meat is lightly cooked with a warm, red center; raw meat is uncooked.
How do chefs ensure raw meat is safe to eat?
Chefs use high-quality, fresh meat and maintain strict hygiene.
Can rare meat be used in all types of cuisines?
Rare meat is popular in many Western cuisines but less so in others due to cultural preferences.
What does 'rare' mean outside of cooking?
Outside of cooking, 'rare' means uncommon or exceptional.
What precautions should be taken when handling raw meat?
Handling raw meat requires careful sanitation to prevent cross-contamination.
What are typical dishes that use raw meat?
Typical raw meat dishes include sushi and beef tartare.
Are there non-culinary uses for the term 'raw'?
Yes, 'raw' can describe anything unprocessed, untreated, or in a natural state.
How does the texture of raw meat compare to cooked meat?
Raw meat's texture varies widely depending on the cut and treatment.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
