These cheese stuffed burgers are known as a Juicy Lucy! Cheddar cheese is sandwiched between two meat patties and grilled to perfection!
Serve your burgers with Homemade Potato Salad, a Loaded Chopped Salad, or Homemade Onion Rings for a full meal!
This post was originally published April 28, 2014. It has since been updated to include helpful tips and fresh photos.
RECIPE FEATURES
- Minimal Ingredients: The burger itself only has 4-ingredients!
- Quick and Easy: Start to finish you are looking at roughly 20 minutes.
- Perfect Weeknight Dinner
- We make these all of the time. It is a summer staple.
CHEESE stuffed cheeseburgers. Really, they are as good as they sound. Let’s break this down. You take two perfect hamburger patties and sandwich cheese in between. Pinch the edges, you don’t want any of that gooey cheese gold to get out, and grill to perfection!
When you bite into this burger it is an explosion of flavor. SO. DANG. GOOD. Voted one of our all-time favorites and a summer staple.
WHAT’S IN A JUICY LUCY BURGER?
I briefly mentioned above, but the ingredient list for this tasty meal is SHORT. You only need 4 things for the burger itself. Since they are minimal, I suggest reaching for premium beef like ground chuck or ground sirloin.
- Ground Beef: The best ground beef for stuffed hamburgers is 80/20 ground chuck. This ratio gives you an incredibly flavorful and juicy burger every single time.
- Seasonings– I really like the Traeger Beef Rub, but you can’t go wrong with plain ol’ salt and pepper.
- Worcestershire: My secret ingredient. It adds a depth of flavor that takes this from good to great.
- Cheese: Pick your favorite cheese or check out the notes below for some of our favorites.
- Buns + Toppings
STUFFED BURGER IDEAS
You can stick with the cheese, OR you can get really creative and mix up a few variations. My favorite? Jalapeno Popper Burgers! Here are a few ideas to help get you started, but don’t limit yourself. Use any of your favorite flavor combinations.
- Jalapeno Popper Burger: Cream cheese + diced jalapenos
- Bacon Burger: Chop 1 or 2 slices of bacon + cheddar cheese.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Yes, take full scoops of mac and cheese and stuff it right in the center!
- Grilled Onions and Mushrooms.
HOW LONG DO YOU COOK A STUFFED BURGER/JUICY LUCY
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- Combine the beef, burger seasoning, and Worcestershire in a medium bowl. Gently mix with your hands until combined.
- Divide into six equal pieces.
- Use your hand to form a thin and large round patty. You want them to be larger than you think but not thin enough that they break open. They will shrink and thicken while cooking.
- Fold and break your cheese slices into quarters. Pace in the center of three patties.
- Take the remaining three patties and place directly on top of the cheese. Pinch the edges to close tightly.
- Grill burger patties covered for 3-5 min each side on the grill. Flip burgers when juices are accumulating on top of burger and you have a good sear. Always be sure to cook until internal temperature of beef reaches 160˚F.
Stuffed Burgers Tips and FAQs
- Toast your hamburger buns with a tiny bit of butter. This gives you an incredibly delicious restaurant flavor and helps keep the toppings from soaking into the bun.
- Use 80/20 ground chuck for the best flavor.
- If you’re up for a little extra something… I like to mix equal parts Kraft Mayo with ketchup to form a yummy spread. Place it on the top bun to kick things up a notch!
According to Food & Wine, the top three cheese for burgers are: American, brie, and cheddar.
All three have been used in our cheddar stuffed burgers and we love them! However, cheddar and pepper jack reign supreme in our home.
When you bite into the burger you’re met with ooey gooey melted cheese. Lots of it. The best part about this recipe is how creative you can get. If you want to add chopped bacon into the center… Go for it! Or how about a cream cheese jalapeno mixture? Maybe just a different cheese like provolone or pepper jack? The possibilities are endless!
Here is the secret to keeping your patties together, or at least what we have found works for us. Mix as little as possible to avoid overworking the meat. If it seems a little warm from handling, refrigerate for 20 minutes before cooking. Easy peasy.
MORE MUST-MAKE BURGERS
- How to Make Cheeseburgers in the Air Fryer
- Jalapeno Popper Cheeseburger Recipe
- Western Burger Topped with BBQ Sauce!
- Oven Burgers
Still Hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 tablespoon beef seasoning- I really like the Traeger Beef Rub
- 1-1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 3 slices cheese
- 3 buns
- toppings
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- Combine the beef, burger seasoning, and Worcestershire in a medium bowl. Gently mix with your hands until combined.
- Divide into six equal pieces.
- Use your hand to form a thin and large round patty. You want them to be larger than you think but not thin enough that they break open. They will shrink and thicken while cooking.
- Fold and break your cheese slices into quarters. Pace in the center of three patties.
- Take the remaining three patties and place directly on top of the cheese. Pinch the edges to close tightly.
- Grill burger patties covered for 3-5 min each side on the grill. Flip burgers when juices are accumulating on top of burger and you have a good sear.
- Medium burgers will reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Notes
- Toast your hamburger buns with a tiny bit of butter. This gives you an incredibly delicious restaurant flavor and helps keep the toppings from soaking into the bun.
- Use 80/20 ground chuck for the best flavor.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram @1sweetappetite and follow pinterest for more!
Reader Interactions
Find even more recipes!
Be sure to share it in the comments below and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram for even more delicious recipes.
Comments & Reviews
Sara @ Mom Endeavors says
Yum! I have no idea why I’ve never done this before! Delish!
Yvonne @ TriedandTasty says
Ooey gooey melted goodness inside of a burger? YES PLEASE!!!!!!!! This looks divine and as always, I love your gorgeous photos!
Amy Anderson says
This looks SO good – and now I am starving!
Kimber says
I bet my kids would go crazy over this! We will have to try it soon!
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe says
Yum!!! This cheesaholic thinks this recipe sounds divine!
Holly C. says
These look delicious! Cheese is a must at our house. Yum!
Kristy says
This is making me so hungry, love all that melted cheese! #client
Leanne says
Oh this looks so delicious! My mouth is watering!
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
I love tomato sandwiches… we can omit the burger in the summer!
Debbie says
Yum, that’s one good looking burger 🙂
Debbie
Stacy Risenmay says
YUM! I happened to read this at dinner time and now I am extra hungry. I will have to pin for later 🙂
Debra says
We LOVE to make this kind of burger! So juicy and delicious. Yum!
nest of posies says
Nothing beats a good cheeseburger! They are my favorite!!! And we are coming up on the major grilling season. I am so ready for one with cheese! yummy!
Amy | The Happy Scraps says
I love cheeseburgers! I think it would be such a fun surprise to have one with the cheese inside. My boys would love it.
Sonya~At Home with The Barkers says
These look delicious!!! I love a great burger. ~Sonya
Melanie says
These look great! Don’t be surprised if I invite myself over for lunch haha
Aimee @ Like Mother Like Daughter says
Mmm now I REALLY want a burger for lunch! This looks amazing. That gooey cheese!