Make burgers even more tempting by stuffing them with cheese and adding spicy chipotle. If you haven't had a Juicy Lucy Burger yet then you NEED to make one soon! These stuffed burgers are really easy to make and a real crowd pleaser.
So what is a Juicy Lucy burger?
A juicy Lucy burger is simply a burger where the cheese is in the centre of the beef patty rather than on top. It's like a a cheeseburger but the cheese is in the middle.
So, when you bite into the juicy lucy burger you get a gorgeously runny cheesy deliciousness oozing out. Can you imagine that? Don't you just want to run into the kitchen and make them straightaway?
These cheese stuffed burgers were apparently made for the first time in Minnesota in the 1950's and are still a big thing today with bars arguing over who invented them first!
Who cares? Just make one and find out how good it is!
What ingredients are in a juicy lucy burger?
To make these super tempting stuffed burgers you'll need:
- Minced beef - I always like to use a good quality beef mince with about 10 - 20% fat. Don't use anything less than 10% fat as the burger will go dry.
- Egg - This helps to bind the burger together and also helps to stop the burger splitting open as it's cooking.
- Garlic - I usually use a fresh clove of garlic and crush it. However, you can substitute it with garlic paste or even garlic powder.
- Chipotle paste - I have used chipotle paste in these and also finely diced chipotle chillies in the past too. The chipotle paste adds a lovely smokiness as well as heat to the burgers.
- Cheese - I use mature cheddar but you can use your favourite melty cheese.
How do you make Juicy Lucy burgers?
These burgers are really easy to make. It's just a matter of putting all the ingredients (excpet the cheese!) in a bowl and mixing together well.
Divide the mixture into 4 equal parts. Divide each of those into two and flatten them into round burgers. Put a piece of cheese in the centre of one and cover with another burger. Press the sides together so the cheese is sealed in the centre.
Put them in the fridge to rest for half an hour and then fry them.
What can you do if the burger splits as it's cooking?
When you are making the juicy Lucy burgers you have to be careful to press the sides of the burger patties together really well. However, if the worst happens and cheese starts running out into the frying pan, don't worry, just scoop it up when the burger is ready and serve the spilled cheese on top of the burger.
Can you adapt these Juicy Lucy burgers?
These burgers are pretty simple. You could vary them by using different cheeses. If you're a fan of blue cheese then that would be a fabulous twist. Smoked cheese is also delicious.
I mix some chipotle chilli paste into the minced beef for these burgers. You could use something else such as a different chilli paste, harissa or a barbecue sauce.
You could add some diced herbs to give them a fresher flavour. Or you could just add a touch of salt and pepper to the beef and leave it at that.
Can you omit the egg?
You don't have to add egg to burgers but the egg in these ones helps the beef to keep its shape and to keep the cheese in! If there was no egg, the cheese would almost certainly leak out.
What to serve these cheesy burgers in?
I won't judge you if you buy some bread rolls but if you're feeling like pushing the boat out, why not make your own burger buns as well? These easy white bread maker burger buns are actually really simple to make and have very little hands on time.
Can you make these burgers in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the burgers in advance but they are best cooked just before you eat them. You can prepare them up to 48 hours in advance and just keep them in the fridge until you are ready to cook them.
Can you reheat cheese stuffed burgers?
These burgers are best when they are cooked the first time but we have had leftovers before and reheated them later. Just store them in the fridge for up to 2 days and then reheat them in the microwave for about 40-50 seconds.
Recipe
Juicy Lucy Burger
Ingredients
- 400 g minced steak
- 1 egg
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 teaspoon smokey ready-chopped chipotle chilli
- 3 pieces cheese about 1cm thick
- 3 burger buns
Instructions
- Mix all the burger ingredients well with your hands until well combined.
- Divide into three. Divide each one in half again. Press flat.
- Place a piece of cheese on each half and top with the other burger half. Mould the two halves together around the cheese. Leave to rest for half an hour in the fridge.
- Fry each burger for about 5 minutes on each side.
- Serve with the burger buns, potato wedges and a choice of fillings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More minced beef recipes
Beef mince is such a versatile ingredient and as well as being great for burgers it's also great in these recipes:
You might also like my tamarind lamb burgers!
Keep in touch
Do let me know if you make these homemade juicy lucy burgers or any of my other recipes. I love to get feedback from readers.
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Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
I'd never heard of the term 'juicy lucy burger' before! But I heartily approve of stuffing cheese into the centre of burgers!
Corina Blum
As soon as I heard the term I knew I had to try it! They really are great homemade burgers.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
Oh hello - these look fantastic! Perfect for summer BBQs.
Corina Blum
Oh they are! We just need the bbq weather to go with them.
Marita
The picture of this amazing burgers make me drool. I cannot wait to try this recipe.
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased you like it Marita! I hope you enjoy it just as much when you make it - we loved it!
Jacqui – Only Crumbs Remain:Recipes Made Easy
Oh how I love a good burger and these sure look good!
Corina Blum
Thanks jacqui! They are amazing burgers and each time I make them I wonder why I don't make them more often.