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Try our Easy Oven-Baked Juicy Lucy – a single serving cheese-stuffed burger that’s the ultimate comfort food. Enjoy the simple joys of classic American comfort food with our Juicy Lucy recipe. It’s easy to make and delicious to eat, perfect for anyone cooking for themselves.
Enjoy your Juicy Lucy alongside any of these tasty sides. Choose crispy French fries, savory sweet potato fries, creamy macaroni and cheese, or a fresh green salad drizzled with homemade vinaigrette.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uncomplicated: This recipe uses basic ingredients and easy steps.
- Quick to prepare: With a short prep time, this meal is ready in no time.
- Versatile: Can be customized with different cheeses and toppings.
- Indulgent: Offers a fun twist on a traditional burger and is an indulgent treat.
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What Is A Juicy Lucy?
The Juicy Lucy, originating from Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a deliciously unique burger known for its gooey cheese core. This twist on the traditional burger involves cooking the cheese inside the meat patty rather than on top, resulting in a mouth-watering, melty center that has become a beloved staple in American cuisine. The origins of the Juicy Lucy are contested between two rival bars in Minneapolis, Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club, each claiming to be the creator of this irresistible culinary treat.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Juicy Lucy recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- 8 ounces (approximately 225 grams) of ground beef. Use a blend that contains some fat to ensure your burger turns out nice and juicy. If you’ve got leftover ground beef, consider using it to make Lasagna Rollups, Chili Mac, or Stuffed Peppers.
- 1/4 teaspoon of burger seasoning. I recommend Lawry’s Seasoned Salt or McCormick Grill Mates Hamburger Seasoning for great flavor. You can find burger seasoning in the spice section of most grocery stores.
- 1 slice of American cheese. While traditional Juicy Lucys are made with American cheese, feel free to switch it up with any cheese that melts well to suit your taste.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Juicy Lucy: Elevate your Juicy Lucy with a fiery twist. Consider stuffing your burger with pepper jack cheese or mix diced jalapenos into the beef for added spice. For an additional burst of heat, top your burger with sriracha mayo or pickled jalapenos. This will give your Juicy Lucy an exciting, spicy flavor.
- Juicy Lucy Breakfast Burger: Add a breakfast flair to the classic Juicy Lucy by stuffing it with cheddar cheese and topping it with a fried egg and your choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. Serve this delightful combination on a toasted English muffin for a perfect breakfast-themed burger.
- Juicy Lucy Turkey Burger: For a healthier variation, try making a Juicy Lucy using ground turkey in place of beef. Use lean ground turkey, ideally around 90% lean, to prevent the burger from becoming too dry. For a unique taste, consider stuffing your turkey Juicy Lucy with swiss or feta cheese, offering a delightful twist in flavor.
How To Make A Juicy Lucy
The photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a baked Juicy Lucy. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the seasoning.
- Split the seasoned ground beef into two equal portions and form them into balls.
- Press each ball into a thin, flat patty.
- Cut the cheese into small squares and lay them on the center of one patty.
- Place the second patty on top of the cheese-topped first patty.
- Seal the patties together by pressing down the edges with your fingers, enclosing the cheese inside.
- Place the burger into a very lightly greased baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.
- After cooking, cover the burger and let it sit for a minimum of 5 minutes to rest. Next, place the patty on the lower half of the bun, and if you like, add pickles, a slice of tomato, and lettuce. Finally, complete your burger by placing the top half of the bun on it.
Expert Tips
- Work with ground beef that is cold from the refrigerator, as it’s simpler to shape into a patty.
- Slice the cheese into four equal parts and arrange them in an overlapping circular pattern on the center of the patty. Leave a border of about 1/2 inch around the edges to prevent cheese leakage.
- Securely seal the edges of the burger to ensure the cheese stays inside while it bakes.
- Avoid pressing down on the burger during baking; this can release its juices and might cause the cheese to leak out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a cheese that melts well for the best Juicy Lucy. American cheese is a popular choice and widely recommended. However, cheddar, blue cheese, and smoked Gouda are also excellent options for stuffing your burger.
Begin with a lightly toasted bun. Then, personalize your burger with toppings like tomato slices, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, and pickles.
You can grill your Juicy Lucy for a delicious charred flavor. Grill the burger covered over direct, medium-high heat (375-425 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 4-5 minutes on each side. After grilling, let the burger rest for at least 5 minutes on a plate, covered.
Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to beef. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary with these substitutions.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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.
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Juicy Lucy For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 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).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the seasoning.
- Split the seasoned ground beef into two equal portions and form them into balls.
- Press each ball into a thin, flat patty.
- Cut the cheese into small squares and lay them on the center of one patty.
- Place the second patty on top of the cheese-topped first patty.
- Seal the patties together by pressing down the edges with your fingers, enclosing the cheese inside.
- Place the burger into a small, lightly greased baking dish 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
- Work with ground beef that is cold from the refrigerator, as it’s simpler to shape into a patty.
- Slice the cheese into four equal parts and arrange them in an overlapping circular pattern on the center of the patty. Leave a border of about 1/2 inch around the edges to prevent cheese leakage.
- Securely seal the edges of the burger to ensure the cheese stays inside while it bakes.
- Avoid pressing down on the burger during baking; this can release its juices and might cause the cheese to leak out.
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.
I’ve made stuffed burgers kind of passion so I’d add a couple tips I’ve picked up:
Instead of just cheese, leftover bits of bacon, chopped sauteed mushrooms, onion, a few roasted red peppers chopped from the jar, or some bits of jalapeno, basically anything you’ve got in your fridge.
Then, most importantly, take all those bits of “stuff” and chunks of 8 different cheeses or whatever you’ve found……form them into a patty shape wrapped tightly in saran wrap, and freeze them first! That way they don’t ooze out of the burger right away.
And I do prefer the grill or cast iron, but either way works.
I’m wondering if you can get a caramelized crust on the burger by baking it vs grilling it? That crust is one of the really great aspects of eating a Juicy Lucy
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,
Does it need to be cooked in a dish? Can it be cooked on a grille rack/ broiler pan?
A juicy lucy can be cooked on a grill, on a stovetop, or in the oven.
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