Juicy Lucy Burger

3 min read
Ultimate Juicy Lucy Burger
Prep Time - 20 mins | Cook Time - 20 mins | Serves - 8 | Difficulty - 2/10

This Minnesota-born burger – featuring hot, melted cheese in the middle of the patty – is surprisingly easy to make at home! This version is slightly different from the original.

To make a juicy burger on the grill, start by selecting the right meat, ideally beef with a high fat content. Divide the meat into portions and shape them into patties, making a small dimple in the center of each patty to allow for even cooking.

Preheat your grill to high heat, grill the patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side, let them rest for a few minutes, and serve them hot.

TIP: Use beef with a high fat content, preferably 80/20 (80% meat, 20% fat) is best for making juicy burgers. You can grind your own meat or use pre-packaged ground hamburger meat.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds Ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 pinch Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 false Pack of American cheese
  • 1/2 cups Mayo
  • 2 tablespoons Ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Pickle relish (dill or sweet)
  • 1 pinch Hot sauce
  • 1 pinch Onion powder
  • 1 pinch Smoked paprika

Steps:

  1. Combine the ground beef, garlic powder, butter, salt, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce in a large mixing bowl.

    If grinding your meat, click here for the How-To instructions.

  2. Divide the ground beef into 16 meatballs, each forming a small patty. From each meatball, flatten each meatball to form 8 patties, making an indentation in the middle to place the cheese. Continue with the next 8 meatballs to form a flat patty, which will be placed on top of the first 8 patties.
  3. Take each slice of American cheese and fold it in half two times, creating a stack of small cheese squares. Place this stacked piece of cheese in the middle of the burger—this is the bite of cheese that goes in the middle. Repeat this process for all 8 burgers, adding a piece of cheese to each.
  4. Take the remaining 8 patties and place them on top of the patties with cheese. Seal them around the edges, combining the two patties on the outside to form one burger.
  5. For the Secret Sauce: Combine mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, hot sauce, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Place in the refrigerator until ready to put on the burgers.
  6. Prepare a grill for medium direct heat, about 350 degrees. If using a griddle or a cast-iron skillet, place the skillet on the grill.
  7. Place the patties on the skillet or grill and let them cook until they have started to brown on one side (on the cast iron, they will form a crust). Flip the patties over and then add another slice of cheese.
  8. Remove from heat and cover with foil to keep warm. Serve on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles and LOTS of secret sauce.
  9. Serve immediately to experience the beauty of the melting cheese inside the patty, making for an epic cheesy bite with cheese literally oozing out of your burger.