When cooking burgers on the grill, one of the most common questions is how often you should flip the burger during cooking. There are a lot of different opinions on this, with some arguing for only flipping once, while others insist on flipping frequently. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the science and research behind burger flipping to determine how many flips are ideal for getting the perfect sear and cook.
The Case for Flipping Only Once
Many amateur cooks and grilling enthusiasts argue that you only need to flip a burger once during cooking. The reasoning is that flipping repeatedly can dry out the burger and doesn’t allow enough uninterrupted time to develop a flavorful brown crust on both sides. According to celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay, flipping only once allows the first side to properly sear and caramelize before flipping after a few minutes to cook and sear the second side.
Minimizing flipping can help limit how much juice is lost as the burger cooks. Each time you flip and press down on a burger patty, some amount of moisture is pressed out. Flipping just once reduces this undesirable moisture loss. It also gives you the chance to add any desired cheese or toppings after the first flip when the burger is nearly done cooking.
Potential Drawbacks of Flipping Once
While limiting flips makes sense theoretically, there are some potential drawbacks to only flipping once in practice:
- The first side can overcook – If you don’t flip for several minutes, the first side may become overdone while waiting for the second side to cook.
- The second side may undercook – By the time the second side gets a chance to cook, the first side could be burnt.
- The burger may cook unevenly – Flipping just once doesn’t allow redistribution of heat throughout the burger for even cooking.
- You have less control to cook to desired doneness – With a single flip, it’s harder to control the exact doneness you want compared to multiple flips.
While minimizing flipping makes sense in theory, many experts argue that the realities of grilling require more frequent flipping for the best results.
The Case for Flipping Multiple Times
Flipping a burger frequently during cooking is advocated by many chefs, cooking shows, and grilling guides. The main arguments in favor of multiple flips are:
- More even cooking – Frequent flips mean the burger heats evenly from all sides.
- Better temperature control – Flipping every minute or so gives greater ability to fine-tune doneness.
- Prevents burning – No single side gets a chance to burn from excess heat when flipped frequently.
- Promotes Maillard reaction – The browning reaction occurs each time a side hits the heat.
The Maillard reaction is the chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that occurs with the application of heat. It produces the complex flavors and aromas associated with seared foods. By flipping every 60 seconds or so, you get to multiply the Maillard reaction on each side as it hits the hot cooking surface.
How Often Should You Flip?
Grilling experts who favor the multi-flip approach typically recommend the following guidelines:
- Flip once per minute – This frequency means the burger won’t have a chance to burn and will self-baste in its own juices.
- Flip halfway through cooking – If cooking for 6-8 minutes total, flip every 3-4 minutes.
- Flip when the burger releases from the grill – This is a sign the browned crust has formed and it’s time to flip.
The more frequently you flip, the more evenly the burger will cook. But flicking too often can also be disruptive if the burger isn’t yet properly seared when flipped. Finding the right balance point is key.
The Science of Flipping Burgers
A 2013 study published in the American Institute of Physics’ journal Physics of Fluids tried to determine the ideal burger flipping frequency using computational fluid dynamics software. The software simulated heat transfer and the cooking process under different flipping conditions. According to the modeling results, flipping a burger every 60 seconds optimized cooking time and resulted in a thicker, juicier burger compared to flipping just once or not at all.
This study showed multiple flips could actually minimize moisture loss compared to letting a burger sit untouched for minutes at a time. The inward to outward moisture transfer happens much quicker when the burger surface gets a brief break from the direct heat with each flip. Minimizing cook time by flipping frequently reduces overall moisture loss.
More Key Research Findings
Other research supports the idea that properly timed multiple flips produces superior quality burgers:
- Flipping every 30 seconds – In 2014, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found flipping beef patties every 30 seconds delivered the best results. They observed faster cooking, more even browning, and a thicker burger compared to flipping every 60, 90, or 120 seconds.
- Evenly spaced flips optimal – A study in the Journal of Food Science determined evenly spaced flips at 30, 60, and 90 seconds produced the most consistent shape, thickness, and doneness.
- 2 flips ideal for small burgers – For sliders and mini-burgers, Kansas State University researchers found 2 flips were ideal. The first flip at 30 seconds and the second flip 30 seconds later. More flips didn’t improve shape or texture.
While very frequent flipping may not be necessary, in most cases flipping just once is likely not enough. The consensus of science and experiments indicates the optimal flip frequency is somewhere in the range of every 30 seconds to every 2 minutes, depending on burger size and desired doneness.
Other Tips for Flipping Success
In addition to flip frequency, following some other simple tips can promote burger perfection:
- Let the burger sear before flipping – Wait until the edges just start to turn brown. Flipping too early won’t build flavor.
- Use a thin spatula – A wide spatula can press out precious juices when flipping.
- Don’t press down – Pressing squeezes out moisture, so flip gently.
- Create divots in patties – Indent both sides to promote even thickness.
- Brush with oil – Lightly coat the surface to prevent sticking.
The Best Cooking Methods by Burger Type
The ideal flip technique can also vary based on the type of burger you are making:
Beef Burgers
- 3/4 inch thick or less – Flip every 60 seconds for 4-5 minutes total.
- 1 inch or thicker – Flip every 2 minutes until done, around 6-10 minutes.
Turkey Burgers
- Flip every 30 seconds for evenly browned crust.
- Cook 4-5 minutes per side for 165°F internal temperature.
Veggie Burgers
- Flip once after 2 minutes, then again after 4 minutes.
- Cook 4-6 minutes per side until heated through.
Bison Burgers
- Start flipping every 45 seconds after initial 2 minute sear.
- Cook 5-7 minutes for medium doneness.
Monitor thickness and cooking conditions and adjust flip frequency accordingly. The cooking times above serve as general guidelines for properly flipping different burger varieties.
Conclusion
Finding the right burger flipping technique comes down to your specific goals and preferences. If you love a thick, juicy burger, flipping frequently delivers. Seeking an ultra-crisp crust? Letting the burger sit a bit longer before occasional flips can help. While research and chefs may disagree on exact flip frequency, they agree on two key points:
- Some flipping is necessary for even cooking – completely untouched burgers will burn.
- Let the initial sear happen before flipping – waiting at least 60-90 seconds builds flavor.
With a little practice, you can find your ideal burger flipping rhythm. Pay attention to sear development, cooking times, and internal doneness and tweak your technique accordingly. Mastering the perfect flip will level up your burger game in no time.
