Juicy Lucy Burgers
Published January 31, 2023 • Updated February 1, 2026
A twist on the classic cheeseburger
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Juicy Lucy Burgers are a delicious weeknight meal you can make in under 30 minutes. These burgers are filled with melted cheese, topped with your favorite condiments, and held together with toasted hamburger buns. This is one of my family's favorite keto burger recipes and it works great for low carb dinner nights!
If this is your first time making a juicy lucy burger, you’re in for a treat! Regular burgers just can’t compare to biting into a burger stuffed with gooey cheese and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and another cheese slice. You can make them in a skillet on the stove, a flat-top grill, or even a cast iron skillet. Any way you choose to cook them, you’ll never make a better burger. How to make juicy lucy burgers
- Prepare the cheese and divide each slice of cheddar or American cheese into four squares.
- Make the burger mixture. Combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Combine, but do not over-mix. Divide the mixture into fourths and those fourths into halves to make 8 hamburger patties.
- Stuffed burgers. Using a small spoon, make a small depression in the center of the patty and add the cheese. Top with the other half of the beef patty and seal the sides with your fingers and form one large patty.
- Cook or grill the stuffed burgers until a crust forms and then flip them.
- While your burgers are cooking, toast the buns and prepare your toppings.
- Serve on a bun or bunless with desired sauce and toppings.
What is a Juicy Lucy?
A Juicy Lucy burger is not your typical cheeseburger. It’s a stuffed burger that originated in Minnesota where a slice of cheese is inside two thin burger patties. The cheese stuffed burger is cooked developing serious char; however, the burger stays moist and juicy thanks to the molten cheese inside. Here are all the ingredients you will need for the juiciest cheeseburger:- Ground beef – Seasoned ground beef makes the best burgers!
- Cheese – Melty cheese is best for stuffing burgers. Typically American cheese is used, but sharp cheddar is also delicious!
- Kosher salt – A little salt enhances the flavors in this dish.
- Black pepper – Use freshly cracked black pepper if possible.
- Garlic powder & onion powder – Add a little extra flavor to these hamburgers.
- Avocado oil or olive oil – Use a little oil to get the burgers golden brown.
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Juicy Lucy Burger Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80/20) -
4 slices sharp cheddar cheese or American cheese
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½ tablespoon salt
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½ tablespoon black pepper
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½ tablespoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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3 tablespoons avocado oil
Burger Fixings, Optional Ingredients
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4 hamburger buns
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lettuce
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pickles
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tomatoes
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caramelized onions
Step by Step Instructions
Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the cheese
Divide each slice of cheese into 4 squares each. Set aside.
- 4 slices cheddar or American cheese
Form burger patties
To a large bowl, add ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Combine, but DO NOT OVERMIX! Divide mixture into fourths and those fourths into halves.
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon pepper
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Stuff with cheese
Using a small spoon, make a dip or divot into four of the burger patties. Add 4 small squares (1 slice cheese) into the cavity of these patties. Top with the other patty and seal the sides with your fingers and form one large patty. Do this until you have 4 hamburger patties.
Cook the Juicy Lucys
Preheat a large skillet, griddle or a grill to medium high heat. Add oil to the skillet or gently spray the grill with cooking spray. Cook the stuffed cheeseburgers on one side until a crust forms (about 4-5 minutes). Then flip and cook the other side for about 3-4 minutes. Remove, add to a bun, add burger toppings and serve!
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
Tried this recipe last night and it came out so juicy! The cheese inside made every bite delicious. I just started keto, and this felt like a real treat without the carbs.
I made these burgers last night after a long shift at the hospital, and they were super easy and satisfying. Loved the gooey cheese inside - definitely adding this to my weekly meal prep.
These burgers are so cheesy and delicious! A fun twist on the classic cheeseburger.