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 discovered how absolutely delicious a Juicy Lucy truly is.
My son introduced me to the famous "Juicy" when I visited him in Minneapolis. Before my visit, he told me he had been spending weekends 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 one. After all, a Juicy Lucy is a burger stuffed with cheese - how glorious is that!
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What Is A Juicy Lucy?
A Juicy Lucy is at its simplest, a cheeseburger. It's a juicy hamburger with cheese stuffed inside the burger.
If you're from Minneapolis, you've likely had one. If not, I'm here to introduce you to this incredibly delicious burger.
The "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 the burger and melted cheese.
Why This Recipe Works
- The burger is cooked perfectly and the cheese stays inside the meat when baked.
- Since I'm not from Minneapolis, I won't claim that this Juicy Lucy is 100% authentic, but it's my delicious version and I love it.
- Usually, this burger is grilled or pan-fried but I decided to bake mine in the oven.
- Making a Juicy Lucy is easy!
- The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you'd like to make extras.
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Ingredient Notes
For this Juicy Lucy recipe, you will need:
- 8-ounces of ground beef (approx. 225 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon burger seasoning - My favorite brands of burger seasoning include Lawry's Seasoned Salt and McCormick Grill Mates Hamburger Seasoning. Burger seasoning can be found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.
- 1 slice of American cheese
How To Make A Juicy Lucy
- Place the ground beef in a large bowl and mix in the seasoning.
- Divide the ground beef into two even balls.
- Flatten the two balls of ground beef into thin patties.
- Break up the cheese into squares and place them in the middle of one of the patties.
- Place the second patty on top of the first.
- Using your fingers, press the edges down to seal.
- Place the burger into a very lightly greased baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.
- Cover the burger and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. Then, place the patty on the bun bottom, top with pickles, a tomato slice, and lettuce if using and close with the bun top.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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
Expert Tips
- Use ground beef that is refrigerator cold. It's easier to shape the patty.
- Cut the cheese you're using into quarters, then arrange the pieces in an overlapping circle in the middle of the patty. Be sure to leave a ½-inch border around the edges. This will ensure that the cheese doesn't leak out of the sides.
- Pinch around the edges of the meat well to make sure the sides are completely closed.
Grilled Juicy Lucy
To grill a Juicy Lucy:
Grill, covered over direct, medium-high heat (375-425 degrees F) for 4-5 minutes per side. Place the burger on a plate, cover, and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
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
When I make this Juicy Lucy recipe, I use a small 5-inch x 5-inch baking dish. You can see the baking dishes we use and recommend for our single serving recipes on our bakeware page.
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this easy Juicy Lucy recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Juicy Lucy For One
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- 5-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground beef I use Emeril's Burger Seasoning
- ¼ 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 it rest for five minutes.
- Serve on a bun with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use ground beef that is refrigerator cold. It's easier to shape the patty.
- Cut the cheese you're using into quarters, then arrange the pieces in an overlapping circle in the middle of the patty. Be sure to leave a ½-inch border around the edges. This will ensure that the cheese doesn't leak out of the sides.
- Pinch around the edges of the meat well to make sure the sides are completely closed.
- If you'd like to grill your Juicy Lucy, grill it covered over direct, medium-high heat (375-425 degrees F) for 4-5 minutes per side. Place the burger on a plate, cover, and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.
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.
Pooja Maudekar says
Hello!!!
Fantastic recipe! I’ve never been able to make a burger before, this recipe has all the little instructions that people never give you. My mom and I have both learned to make our fave recipe at home now – many thanks to you,
Tiffany says
Does it need to be cooked in a dish? Can it be cooked on a grille rack/ broiler pan?
Joanie Zisk says
A juicy lucy can be cooked on a grill, on a stovetop, or in the oven.
Helen says
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.
Betty says
Could this burger be cooked in a air fryer?
Joanie Zisk says
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