Bobby Flay Grilling Tips To Impress Everyone At The Barbecue

Cook burgers to medium

Many individuals advocate for cooking and consuming rare beef, but opting for medium-rare burgers can pose health risks. Recently, Bobby Flay faced criticism after he shared a TikTok video expressing his preference for cooking hamburgers and steaks to medium instead of rare or medium-rare. In the widely shared clip, Flay remarked, "If the fat doesn't melt, then it's not as delicious... if you don't cook it and the beef is too rare, it's tough to chew." While this may not seem overly controversial, it sparked considerable discussion and debate in the comments section of the video.

In a subsequent interview with Mashed, Flay reaffirmed his stance. "I have to say, most of the people I know told me, 'Totally agree with you.' I think there's some peer pressure to order red meat rare or medium-rare, whether we like it or not, because that's what we've been conditioned to do," he explained.

For a truly flavorful burger, Flay suggests cooking it long enough to reach medium doneness. This allows the fat to render into the meat, creating a juicier flavor compared to cooking it to rare. Consider trying medium doneness at your next barbecue and see if you enjoy the taste as well.

Use fruit to enhance your barbecue meat dishes

When it comes to creating delectable meat dishes, sometimes the most surprising ingredients can make all the difference. Bobby Flay recommends adding sweet, juicy flavors to your barbecue by using fruit to enhance the taste of pork, beef, chicken, and seafood. Peaches, in particular, can elevate your traditional recipes.

"When I think of low and slow barbecue, like brisket, pulled pork, and smoked chicken—anything with those smoky, spicy flavors—the peach is a perfect match," Flay shared with Mashed. "I even make a barbecue sauce that includes grilled peaches." The Food Network star also noted that nectarines can have a similar impact on smoky and spicy dishes.

For a fruit that offers less sweetness and more acidity, lime is an excellent choice. "I prepare a lot of dishes that pair well with lime," Flay explained. "I focus on Southwestern and Mexican-inspired cuisine, incorporating plenty of cilantro, chilies, fresh corn, and grilled meats, chicken, and fish. That acidity is essential for adding that zing." Incorporating fruit juice into glazes, sauces, and marinades is another fantastic way to enhance the flavors of your favorite summer meals.

Try family-style dining to satisfy everyone

If you’re the designated grill master during the summer, you might find yourself spending more time cooking than actually enjoying the barbecue. Bobby Flay has some advice to help you avoid this at your next cookout. In an interview with Tasting Table, the chef suggested that instead of preparing individual meals for everyone, you can simplify things and enhance the experience by offering family-style dining, allowing your guests to serve themselves.

“It’s crucial for me to have a variety of options available at once, since not everyone has the same preferences,” Flay shared. “You need to provide a range and plenty of choices. I set up burger bars and taco bars where I prepare various components, and then I let guests assemble their own meals as they go. It creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere.” He also noted that this approach is particularly beneficial for accommodating guests with allergies or dietary restrictions.

Save money by grilling skirt steak

Inquire with any steak enthusiast about their favorite cut of beef, and you're likely to encounter a passionate response and a spirited discussion if your views differ. Many chefs and meat aficionados champion ribeye steak, celebrated for its rich marbling and tenderness, while others lean towards New York strip steak. Although there are notable distinctions between ribeye and New York strip, both cuts share a common trait: they can be quite expensive.

If you're eager to savor a delicious steak without overspending your grocery budget, Bobby Flay recommends skirt steak as a budget-friendly alternative. To ensure your economical choice is still a hit with guests, Flay has shared some simple tips for preparing and cooking the steak (via Mashed).

Start by preheating your grill to high heat, allowing it to warm up before adding the meat. The high temperature will help the juicy steak form a crispy exterior. Season the steak generously with a spice rub, then place the seasoned skirt steak on the grill, cooking it at high heat for one to two minutes on each side. When it's time to serve, remember to slice the meat against the grain. By following these straightforward steps, you'll achieve maximum tenderness for the ideal cookout steak.

Grill chicken thighs for more flavor

Another excellent way to save money while hosting a barbecue that everyone will enjoy is by grilling chicken. Chicken is significantly more budget-friendly than beef, allowing you to reduce expenses by offering delicious chicken dishes alongside or instead of burgers and steaks. For perfectly juicy chicken, Bobby Flay recommends choosing chicken thighs over chicken breasts. "I prefer chicken thighs to chicken breasts any day. They have way more flavor," he shared with Tasting Table.

Chicken thighs, being dark meat, contain more fat than chicken breasts, resulting in more tender meat. When selecting your poultry, Flay advises opting for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. "I love the crispiness of the chicken skin when cooked properly... The dark meat offers more flavor and moisture than white meat, and keeping the bone in helps prevent it from drying out," he explained (via Food Network). Chicken thighs are easy to prepare, and grilled chicken serves as a versatile base that can be enhanced with a variety of flavors. With sauces, rubs, glazes, and marinades, you can turn your chicken recipes into a resounding success.

Save time with store-bought barbecue sauce

Feeding a large group can be quite daunting. When your goal is to create mouthwatering dishes that everyone will love, your to-do list can quickly become overwhelming. However, you can ease the pressure by taking some shortcuts. Instead of preparing every element of your barbecue feast from scratch, consider using trusted store-bought products for certain items.

Bobby Flay has shared that he frequently opts for store-bought barbecue sauce rather than making it himself. This approach not only saves time but also maintains great flavor. He recommends selecting a sauce brand you enjoy and then enhancing it with a few additional ingredients to elevate its taste without spending too much time in the kitchen. "That's what I do most often because making barbecue sauce can be time-consuming," Flay explained to Mashed. "I have a specific barbecue sauce that I like to tweak by adding other ingredients. This way, I have a solid base, and it only takes me a few minutes to put it all together."

For an extra delicious twist, you can also caramelize the barbecue sauce to infuse a deeper flavor into the store-bought condiment.

Only flip meat once while grilling

Bobby Flay suggests that you can enhance your burgers and steaks by avoiding a common grilling error: flipping the meat too frequently. "Often, people worry about burning their food and end up flipping it too soon," Flay shared with Today Food. "If you keep flipping and turning, you won't give the grill or whatever you're using a chance to create a proper crust."

While it may be tempting to flip the meat several times or turn it to check its doneness, this can compromise both the flavor and texture. Flay emphasizes that the secret to excellent grilling is to turn the meat just once during the cooking process. "One flip allows the grill to work its magic. You get a nice crust, then you flip it over and finish cooking." Using high heat and turning the meat only once helps achieve a quick sear on the outside while keeping the inside flavorful and juicy.

Remember some foods are better to cook ahead of time

To create an exceptional barbecue, it's essential to offer a variety of dishes for guests to select from. Rather than attempting to cook everything simultaneously, consider preparing some items in advance to maximize grill space and reduce stress on the day of the event. Not only does this approach streamline your cooking process, but it can also enhance the flavors of certain recipes.

Bobby Flay, during a live cooking demonstration for Food & Wine, noted that potatoes and lobster benefit from being precooked. For grilled potatoes, he recommends parboiling, slicing, cooling, and then grilling them. This method ensures they are mostly cooked beforehand, which reduces grilling time and guarantees that the potatoes are tender and fully cooked.

In a similar vein, Flay mentioned that he always steams or boils lobsters before grilling. "I've tried grilling raw lobsters, but they often turn out tough, which isn't the result I aim for," he explained. By precooking the lobsters and then grilling them, you achieve a far superior outcome. "You get that wonderfully creamy texture of the lobster meat, which is really the reason we enjoy it in the first place," he added.

The perfect grilled corn starts with a soak

Corn on the cob is a quintessential summer dish that tastes incredible when grilled. To elevate your grilled corn and have everyone coming back for more, consider a few tips from Bobby Flay. He emphasizes that the key to his flavorful grilled corn begins before the cooking process. "One of the most crucial steps is soaking the corn in water," Flay shared on the Food Network. He recommends removing the corn silk and discarding any inedible parts first. Then, with some of the husk still attached, place the corn in a large container of plain water to soak for 15-20 minutes. This soaking process helps retain moisture, preventing the corn from drying out, while also enhancing its natural sweetness.

Once the corn is grilled, Flay suggests adding an extra layer of flavor with compound butter. "I take unsalted butter, blend it in a food processor, and you can mix in chilies, roasted shallots, or various savory ingredients, along with herbs like cilantro and lime," he explained to Tasting Table. "When the corn comes off the grill and is still hot, slathering that butter on top makes it absolutely delicious."

Go old school with a charcoal grill

The tools you choose for cooking can be just as crucial as the ingredients in your dishes. If you frequently host barbecues and are in search of the ideal grill, Bobby Flay shared with People that he favors charcoal. Discussing the advantages of charcoal, he noted, "It's more pure, it has more flavor, and it's more traditional."

For those new to charcoal grilling, Flay suggested using a chimney starter to ignite the coals. This affordable and efficient tool simplifies the grilling process. "It's a cylinder where you place crumpled newspaper at the bottom, fill it with charcoal, light the newspaper, and then set it in the grill to let it gradually heat up," he explained. The chimney starter is an excellent way to ignite your charcoal and usually lights the coals more quickly than lighter fluid or other methods.

Set up two grilling stations

Bobby Flay is celebrated not just as a chef but especially as a grilling expert. If you're seeking tips to elevate your outdoor cooking, he's the go-to authority. Even former President Barack Obama sought Flay's grilling wisdom. The Obamas once hosted Flay at the White House, where he imparted his grilling techniques. During this culinary session, Flay revealed a valuable secret that can enhance our barbecues.

The renowned chef highlighted that he utilizes two grilling zones: one set to high heat and another to a much lower temperature. He explained that he begins by placing his steaks over direct heat on the hotter side of the grill, which creates a deliciously seared crust. After that, he transfers the steak to the cooler part of the grill to finish cooking with indirect heat. This method ensures the steak remains juicy and prevents it from burning or drying out.

Pick the right ground beef for flavorful burgers

The type of meat you choose significantly impacts the quality of your burgers. Even if you adhere to all the grilling tips and have perfected your technique, your patties will fall flat without quality ground beef as a foundation. When selecting the best ground beef at the grocery store, one crucial factor to consider is the fat content. Bobby Flay suggests opting for higher-fat beef to achieve juicier burgers.

"First, you need to select the right kind of meat," Flay shared with Today Food. "I recommend an 80/20 blend, which consists of 80% beef and 20% fat." If you prefer leaner ground beef to reduce fat content, be aware that you may compromise on flavor. "It's important to have enough fat to ensure the burger is flavorful and remains juicy."

Flay also advises preheating your grill, grill pan, or skillet to a very high temperature before placing the raw patties on it.