How to Rest Cooked Meat

Okay, the previous section has you sold. But how do you rest meat properly? To avoid temptation, I cover the meat with aluminum foil and place it on a counter that’s out of the way, in a room-temperature cooler, or an unheated oven. The insulation from the foil, cooler, or oven will help keep the food from going cold while resting. An out-of-the-way location will also help keep you from changing your mind and serving the food too early.

It’s also key to let the meat rest for the proper amount of time. Whereas a normal rib eye or pork chop might need only 5 to 7 minutes to rest, larger pieces of meat, like a prime rib or leg of lamb, can require 30 to 40 minutes to rest. By giving the meat the proper time, you end up with the best quality dinner with superior texture and flavor. Just build in that rest time when planning your cook.