Juicy Lucy Burger
A classic cheese-stuffed Juicy Lucy burger made by sealing cheese quarters inside seasoned 85% lean ground beef patties and cooking over indirect heat.
Ingredients
For the burger patties
- 1 cup soft bread crumbs Fresh or packaged fine crumbs
- 1/2 cup milk or beef broth Nonfat or whole milk; beef broth for richer flavor
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs Adds texture and seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Provides umami
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt Or 1/2 teaspoon regular salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper To taste
- 2 pounds 85% lean ground beef Best balance of fat and structure
- 12 slices sliced cheese (American, Swiss, Colby) Cut into quarters, mix for variety; cut into 8 quarters per burger filling step
- 6 large hamburger buns Split and lightly toasted
- assorted condiments To serve (ketchup, chopped pickled peppers, tomatoes, pickle relish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine soft bread crumbs and milk in a large bowl and let stand for five minutes.
- Stir in the lightly beaten egg, seasoned dry bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly distributed.
- Add the ground beef and combine very lightly with a fork to avoid compressing the meat.
- Divide the mixture and shape it into twelve 1/2-inch-thick patties, handling the meat gently.
- Arrange six of the patties as the bottom halves for stuffing, leaving the other six as tops.
- On each of the bottom patties, overlap eight cheese quarters and then top each with the remaining patties.
- Pinch edges of top and bottom patties together to seal all holes and chill covered for at least one hour.
Cooking
- For charcoal grill, arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan for indirect cooking.
- Place burgers on the grill rack and cover the grill.
- Cover and grill for 14 minutes, then turn and continue grilling for 10 to 12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Toast buns cut-side down in the last minute of grilling.
- Let the burgers stand for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Finishing
- Transfer each Juicy Lucy to a toasted bun and add assorted condiments.
- Serve immediately and advise diners to bite carefully to avoid hot cheese spills.
Notes
Chill the sealed patties for at least 1 hour to prevent cheese leakage. Use 85% lean beef for the best texture and flavor balance.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 720kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 42gFat: 46gSodium: 980mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g
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