This is the best Juicy Lucy Burger recipe! A burger stuffed with cheese and “baked” in the oven. While the burger bakes, the cheese melts making the patty very juicy. This easy to make recipe is inspired by the famous Juicy Lucy burger, originating in Minneapolis.
If there’s one thing I learned about making a Juicy Lucy for One Dish Kitchen, is that a Juicy Lucy is very hard to photograph. Aside from that, I also discovered how absolutely delicious a Juicy Lucy truly is.
My son introduced me to the famous Juicy or Jucy Lucy when I visited him in Minneapolis. For weeks before my visit, he told me he had been searching for the best one in town and couldn’t wait for me to try it when I came.
I’m not sure what I expected when I tasted my first Juicy Lucy. After all, it’s a burger stuffed with cheese – I knew it would be delicious, and boy, is it ever!
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What Is A Juicy Lucy?
A Juicy Lucy is a quite simply, a cheeseburger. It’s a delicious hamburger with the cheese stuffed inside of the burger.
If you’re from Minneapolis, you’ve likely had one or even many. If not, I’m here to introduce you to this incredibly delicious burger.
The Juicy (or Jucy) Lucy is a Minneapolis creation. It’s essentially two thin ground beef patties with cheese stuffed inside. When the burger cooks, the cheese inside melts and gets wonderfully gooey. When you take a bite out of the burger, the cheese oozes out and you get a delicious taste of both.
Juicy Lucy
Now, I’m not from Minneapolis so I’m not claiming this Juicy Lucy to be 100% authentic, but it’s my version and I love it.
Usually, this burger is grilled or pan-fried – I decided to bake mine. I got the idea for baking it because a few weeks prior to making this single serving version, I made Juicy Lucy sliders on a sheet pan for my daughter’s birthday. It was such an easy way to make the burgers so I thought a single serving version needed to be made.
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What Kind Of Cheese Should I Use In A Juicy Lucy?
You’ll want to use a cheese that melts very well. My top choice for this would have to be American cheese. In fact, that’s the type of cheese that is actually recommended by folks I’ve talked to.
That being said, I love using cheddar – I’ve also stuffed my burgers with blue cheese and smoked Gouda.
How To Make A Juicy Lucy
For this Juicy Lucy recipe, you will need:
- 8-ounces of ground beef (approx. 225 grams)
- 1/4 teaspoon burger seasoning
- 1 slice of American cheese
Step 1
Be sure to scroll down to see the step-by-step photos
Place the ground beef in a large bowl and mix in the seasoning.
Step 2
Divide the ground beef into two even balls.
Step 3
Flatten the two balls of ground beef into thin patties.
Step 4
Break up the cheese into squares and place them in the middle of one of the patties.
Step 5
Place the second patty on top of the first.
Step 6
Using your fingers, press the edges down to seal.
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Step 2 
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Step 6 
Place the burger into a very lightly greased baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.
What To Put On A Juicy Lucy Burger
I like to start with a lightly toasted bun. From there, the choice of topping is yours to make:
- tomato slices
- lettuce
- mayo
- ketchup
- pickles
What To Serve With A Juicy Lucy
You certainly don’t need to serve anything with a Juicy Lucy – it’s a meal in itself. But if you would like to add a side of something, you might want to consider:
Other Ground Beef Recipes
For this Juicy Lucy recipe, I use a 5-inch baking dish. For best results, use a dish of similar size.
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Juicy Lucy Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground beef I use Emeril's Burger Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon burger seasoning
- 1 slice American cheese
Juicy Lucy Extras
- 1 hamburger bun
- Toppings: lettuce, tomato, pickles
- Sauces: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Mix the spice into the ground beef. Divide beef into two sections.
- Form each section into two thin patties. Place the folded cheese on one of the patties, and place the second patty on top. Pinch the edges to seal.
- Place the burger into a small, lightly greased baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the Juicy Lucy from the oven, cover and let rest for 2 minutes.
- Serve on a bun with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Aussie bbq time is here. I’m trying this on my baby Weber.
Really enjoying your site. Cooking for one was really hard but not any more.
Could this burger be cooked in a air fryer?
Hi Betty,
I haven’t tested this recipe using an air fryer so I can’t tell you how it will turn out. If you do try it in an air fryer, please let me know how it turns out. Thanks so much for writing!
Joanie