How To Flip Food Correctly With A Kitchen Spatula

We all have spatulas in your kitchen, and many of us have different variations, whether that is in size or different materials, such as stainless steel, wood, silicone and nylon. 

But many of us also tend to use whichever spatula comes to hand, and we don’t understand the fundamentals of how to use a spatula correctly.

This leads to foods tearing, breaking up, and generally looking nowhere near as appetizing as it should.

We’ve put together a step-by-step guide that will eliminate most flipping and turning problems you have with food.

1) Choose the correct material

Spatulas come in many different materials. Understanding which material works best for which task makes a massive difference to how your food will look when dished up.

Read Silicone, Wooden, Plastic, Nylon, or Metal Spatulas - Help Me Choose

2) Choose a solid or a slotted spatula to suit your food type

Using the wrong spatula here is a surefire way of messing up food! If you don’t know when you should use a slotted spatula, and when you should use a solid one, please read So What's A Slotted Spatula For Anyway.

Checkout the video below that explains the use of slotted and solid spatulas. 

3) Place the handle of the spatula into the palm of your hand so that the palm and wrist are facing the ceiling

The perfect position is start flipping food is to have the spatula the right way up with the handle inside the palm of your hard.

You should be able to see the underside of your wrists.  

4) Use you 4 fingers to grip the spatula handle whilst letting your thumb rest flat on the side

A lot of people wrap their thumb around the handle too, but this leads to less control of your spatula when turning and flipping.

By keeping your thumb flat against the side of your spatula, you gain a lot more control.

5) Hold the pot or frying pan you are using with your opposite hand

It’s a simple thing, but we’ve seen many people start flipping foods without using their other hand to hold the pan steady. 

This simple tip will give you much more control as the pan will not move from under the foods you are trying to flip.

6) Use the edge of your spatula to slide under the food and lift

One of the reasons why stainless steel and other metal spatulas became popular is that the edges were so thin, it was easy to get under foods. 

Sadly, this also meant that nonstick coatings on expensive pans would also be scraped off. 

Instead, look for non-metal spatulas that have a beveled edge which allow you to easily slide under foods, without damaging your pans. 

Once you have slid the spatula underneath the food, slowly lift the food, using your other hand to keep the pan steady. 

7) Sharply flip your wrist in towards you that you can now see the back of your hand, instead of your palm

Flipping fast ensures your foods stay intact. Your thumb should also now be in the opposite direction. Use the above tactics, and you’ll find that you’ll soon become a pro at flipping foods and keeping them looking great.

Since you are all set to practice flipping food while cooking,

why not try the Chef Remi 2 - piece Kitchen Spatula Set,

available at our store for $12.95.