Resting allows juices that migrate to the surface during cooking to redistribute back into the patty. For burgers, a short rest is sufficient—typically 2–5 minutes depending on size. This brief pause keeps the interior moist and makes the burger easier to bite into without losing juices onto the plate or bun.
Rest on a plate or tray tented loosely with foil to keep warm without steaming, which would soften the crust. For very thick patties or double-stacked burgers, err toward the longer end of the resting window.
Resting is a small extra step that yields a noticeably juicier burger, so don’t skip it—even on busy weeknights.