Juicy Lucy Burger 🧀🍔
The Juicy Lucy Burger is a legendary stuffed cheeseburger where the cheese is hidden inside the beef patty, creating a delicious molten cheese center that bursts with every bite. This Minneapolis classic is simple, juicy, and incredibly satisfying.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers
Ingredients
Burger Patties
- 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Cheese Filling
- 8 slices American cheese (classic choice)
- or cheddar, pepper jack, or a cheese blend
Burger Assembly
- 4 brioche or hamburger buns
- Butter for toasting buns
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Pickles
- Sliced onions
Special Sauce (Optional)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle relish
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of smoked paprika
Instructions
1. Make the Patties
- Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions.
- Flatten each portion into thin patties.
- Place cheese in the center of 4 patties.
- Cover with the remaining patties.
- Pinch and seal the edges tightly so the cheese stays inside.
- Gently reshape into burgers.
2. Season
Season both sides with:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
3. Cook the Burgers
Skillet Method:
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook burgers for 5–6 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Avoid pressing down on the patties—the cheese inside needs to stay contained.
Grill Method:
- Grill over medium-high heat for about 5–6 minutes per side.
4. Rest
Let burgers rest for 3–5 minutes before serving. The cheese inside will be extremely hot and will settle slightly.
5. Assemble
Toast buns with butter.
Layer:
- Bottom bun
- Sauce
- Lettuce
- Juicy Lucy patty
- Pickles
- Onion
- Tomato
- Top bun
Juicy Lucy Flavor Variations
🥓 Bacon Cheddar Lucy
Add crispy bacon and cheddar inside the patty.
🌶 Pepper Jack Lucy
Use pepper jack cheese and add jalapeños.
🧄 Garlic Butter Lucy
Mix roasted garlic into the beef and fill with mozzarella.
🍄 Mushroom Swiss Lucy
Stuff with Swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms.
Tips for the Perfect Juicy Lucy
- Use 80/20 beef for the juiciest burger.
- Seal the edges completely—any gaps will leak cheese.
- Make the patties slightly larger than the bun because they shrink while cooking.
- Let the burger rest before biting in—the cheese center is extremely hot.
- A cast-iron skillet creates the best crust.
Best Sides: crispy fries, onion rings, coleslaw, potato wedges, or a cold milkshake. 🍟🥤