Can I Eat Beef Tartare During Pregnancy?
At a Glance:
⚠️ Concern: Beef tartare is made with raw or undercooked ground beef, which can carry Toxoplasma, Salmonella, E. coli, and other pathogens.
🔥 Risk Level: Not safe during pregnancy due to a high risk of foodborne illness and parasites.
✅ Safe Practices: Avoid raw beef dishes entirely while pregnant. Choose well-cooked beef to at least 160°F (71°C) instead to protect yourself and your baby.
Beef tartare is a gourmet dish featuring finely chopped or ground raw beef, often mixed with raw egg, onions, capers, and spices. Its bold flavor and elegant presentation make it popular at high-end restaurants. However, if you’re pregnant, beef tartare is one dish you’ll need to skip.
Here’s what you should know about why raw beef poses significant risks during pregnancy and how to satisfy similar cravings safely.
Why Beef Tartare Is Risky During Pregnancy
The primary concern with beef tartare is its raw or nearly raw ground beef. This exposes you to pathogens that cooking would normally kill, including:
Toxoplasma gondii — a parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe health problems in newborns.
Salmonella — a bacteria that can cause fever, diarrhea, and dehydration.
E. coli — which may lead to severe food poisoning and potential complications during pregnancy.
Pregnancy lowers parts of your immune defense, so infections are more severe and can directly harm your baby.
What About High-Quality or Grass-Fed Beef?
Even the highest-quality, organic, or grass-fed beef can still carry bacteria and parasites if eaten raw. No matter how carefully sourced, raw beef is unsafe during pregnancy.
Restaurant hygiene standards also cannot guarantee safety for raw dishes like tartare because contamination can happen at any point from slaughter to serving.
Safe Alternatives to Beef Tartare
If you crave that savory, protein-rich flavor, you can try these safer options:
Well-cooked steak (medium-well to well done)
Beef burgers cooked to at least 160°F (71°C)
Roast beef heated until steaming
Plant-based “beef” crumbles, if you’re open to meat alternatives
These options give you a rich beef taste without the serious infection risks of raw ground meat.
A Pregnancy-Safe Beef Recipe Idea
Savory Beef & Veggie Skillet
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a skillet, brown ground beef until fully cooked (no pink remains, 160°F/71°C).
Drain excess fat.
Add onion, bell pepper, zucchini, and garlic. Sauté until veggies are tender.
Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
Serve hot over rice, pasta, or quinoa for a hearty, safe meal.
Conclusion: Skip Beef Tartare During Pregnancy
Even though beef tartare is delicious and elegant, it’s not safe to eat during pregnancy because of the high risk of parasites and dangerous bacteria. Choosing well-cooked beef dishes gives you all the flavor and nutrients with none of the worry.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to safely include beef and other proteins in your pregnancy diet.
Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding your health, pregnancy, or medical conditions.
Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/pregnant-women.html
