This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.
This Juicy Lucy Burger is a cheese lover’s dream! Ground beef is stuffed with melted cheddar cheese for an easy, juicy, cheese-filled hamburger.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you think a regular cheeseburger is good, wait until you put the cheese inside the burger! A Juicy Lucy Burger is made by sandwiching cheese between two thin hamburger patties. As the burger cooks, the cheese melts inside, creating a delicious, gooey center and one incredibly juicy burger.
Extra Juicy. There’s a reason it’s called a Juicy Lucy! The cheese melts right inside the hamburger as it cooks, giving you a tender, juicy burger with plenty of cheesy goodness in every bite.
Easy to Make. A cheese stuffed burger may look impressive, but it’s surprisingly simple to make. All you need is ground beef, cheese, and a few basic seasonings.
A Fun Twist on a Cheeseburger. Instead of putting the cheese on top, it’s hidden inside. That first bite into the melted cheese center is the best part!
A Crowd Favorite. Juicy Lucy hamburgers are perfect for summer cookouts, backyard BBQs, or anytime you’re craving a really good burger. Once you try your cheeseburger with the cheese on the inside, you may never go back!
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef
- Cheddar Cheese
- Salt and Pepper
- Favorite Burger Toppings – ketchup, mustard, pickles, tomato, onion, and lettuce.
- Buns
How To Make a Juicy Lucy Burger
- Form ground beef into round balls. I made four balls from 1 lb. hamburger, making 2 burgers.
- Flatten balls between two pieces of wax paper with hand or rolling pin.
- Cut cheese into four equal pieces.
- Place 8 pieces of cheese onto one hamburger patty.
- Place second patty on top of cheese and seal hamburger closed around the edges.
- Repeat with second patty
- Season patties with salt and pepper.
- Grill until your desired doneness.
- Serve on bun with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard pickles and onion.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Make Thin Patties. Since you’ll be putting two patties together to make one burger, keep each patty fairly thin. This helps the hamburger cook evenly without becoming too thick.
- Seal the Edges Well. After placing the cheese between the two hamburger patties, firmly pinch and press the edges together. You want a good seal so all that delicious melted cheese stays inside instead of escaping while the burger cooks.
- Keep the Cheese in the Center. Leave a border of meat around the cheese when assembling your Juicy Lucy. If the cheese is too close to the edge, it’s more likely to leak out.
- Don’t Overwork the Meat. Handle the ground beef just enough to form your patties. Overworking or packing the meat too tightly can give you a tougher burger.
- Don’t Press Down on the Burger. Resist the temptation to flatten the hamburger with your spatula while it cooks. Pressing on it can squeeze out the juices and may cause the cheese to escape.
- Let It Rest. Give your Juicy Lucy Burger a few minutes to rest after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute and gives the melted cheese a chance to cool slightly.
- Be Careful With That First Bite! The cheese inside a freshly cooked Juicy Lucy can be very hot. Let your burger rest before biting into that gooey cheese center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Juicy Lucy originate?
The Juicy Lucy is associated with Minneapolis, Minnesota, where competing local bars have long claimed to have invented the famous cheese stuffed burger. Regardless of who made the first one, it has become a Minneapolis favorite and a fun twist on the traditional cheeseburger.
What is the best cheese for a Juicy Lucy?
Cheddar is a great choice and gives the burger plenty of flavor. American cheese is another popular option because it melts especially well. You can also experiment with pepper jack, Monterey Jack, Swiss, or another good melting cheese.
How do I keep the cheese from leaking out?
Make sure the cheese stays in the center of the burger and doesn’t extend all the way to the edges. Place the second patty on top, then firmly pinch and seal the edges of the two patties together before cooking.
Can I make Juicy Lucy burgers ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the cheese stuffed hamburger patties, cover them, and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. This makes them a great option for entertaining because you can do most of the prep ahead of time.
Check out more of my favorite summer BBQ recipes:
Be sure and follow me over on YouTube for weekly cooking demos.
Juicy Lucy Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean hamburger formed into four balls
- 4-8 slices cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- ketchup
- mustard
- pickles
- tomato
- onion
- lettuce
- 2-4 buns
Instructions
- Form hamburger into round balls. I made four balls from 1 lb. hamburger, making 2 burgers but you can make them smaller and form 8, making 4 burgers.
- Flatten balls between two pieces of wax paper with hand or rolling pin.
- Tear cheese into four pieces and place 8 pieces of cheese onto one hamburger patty. Place second patty on top of cheese and seal hamburger closed around the edges. Repeat with second patty
- .Grill. Serve on bun with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard pickles and onion.
Tips & Notes:
- Make Thin Patties. Since you’ll be putting two patties together to make one burger, keep each patty fairly thin. This helps the hamburger cook evenly without becoming too thick.
- Seal the Edges Well. After placing the cheese between the two hamburger patties, firmly pinch and press the edges together. You want a good seal so all that delicious melted cheese stays inside instead of escaping while the burger cooks.
- Keep the Cheese in the Center. Leave a border of meat around the cheese when assembling your Juicy Lucy. If the cheese is too close to the edge, it’s more likely to leak out.
- Don’t Overwork the Meat. Handle the ground beef just enough to form your patties. Overworking or packing the meat too tightly can give you a tougher burger.
- Don’t Press Down on the Burger. Resist the temptation to flatten the hamburger with your spatula while it cooks. Pressing on it can squeeze out the juices and may cause the cheese to escape.
- Let It Rest. Give your Juicy Lucy Burger a few minutes to rest after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute and gives the melted cheese a chance to cool slightly.
- Be Careful With That First Bite! The cheese inside a freshly cooked Juicy Lucy can be very hot. Let your burger rest before biting into that gooey cheese center.
Recommended Products
Nutrition Facts:
Leave a Review