Why You Need To Let Grilled Burgers Rest

Grilled burgers are a summertime staple, but sometimes we are in such a rush to sink our teeth into that juicy patty that we forget that one crucial step — letting the burger rest. This step is often overlooked, but it is actually incredibly important for both the taste and the texture of the burger. First and foremost, Wonder How To says that letting grilled burgers rest allows the juices to redistribute throughout the patty, which is a very important step. When you first take it off the grill, the juices are concentrated toward the center of the patty. If you cut into it immediately, all of those juices will flow out and you will be left with a dry, overcooked burger.

In addition to the juiciness factor, allowing resting time also helps to ensure that the patty is cooked to the desired level of doneness. If you cut into a burger right off the grill, the inside may still be undercooked. By letting it rest, the residual heat from the grill will continue to cook the patty until it reaches the desired level of doneness. The USDA says that using a food thermometer when cooking ground beef is very important. You might like your burger to still be a little pink inside, but you must ensure the meat in the center is at least 160 degrees before eating. Check this before resting, then you know your burger is safe to eat.