Why You Should Always Let Meatloaf Rest Before Serving

Meatloaf is one of those bonafide comfort foods whose taste and aroma can bring on a wave of nostalgia, calling up warm, fuzzy memories of dinners around the family table. A classic home-cooked dish that's typically popular with children and adults alike, meatloaf is right at home next to tasty sides such as mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and green vegetables — and any leftovers make a killer sandwich when tucked between two slices of hearty bread, perhaps with some melted cheese or slices of crisp bacon to gild the lily.

A well-made meatloaf should be big on beefy flavor, jam-packed with seasonings such as garlic, onion, and herbs, and it should be very, very moist and juicy. In order to ensure a moist meatloaf, there are a few tips to keep in mind, among them using high-fat ground meat; adding moisture-boosting ingredients such as eggs, ketchup, or BBQ sauce; and avoiding over-mixing the meat (via Today). And once you've taken all those steps, there's one more important one to remember.

We're willing to bet you've heard how important it is to let cooked meat rest, right? Doing so allows the muscle fibers to better hold onto all the meat's tasty juices, so they don't run out onto the plate when you dig in with your fork and knife. Depending on the size of the cut, meat should rest in a warm place for between 10 and 15 minutes, according to Martha Stewart.

The same rule applies for meatloaf, according to AllRecipes. If you pull the loaf from the oven and cut into it right away, all that moisture you've worked on cultivating is likely to run right out, leaving you with dry, unappetizing meatloaf. The outlet suggests letting meatloaf rest for 10 minutes prior to slicing in order to avoid that sad fate. Plus, as noted by Food Network, the meatloaf slices will hold together better after resting, instead of crumbling apart on your plate. 

You know that they say: Good things come to those who wait.