master-cooks | Ultra Cheesy Juicy Lucy Recipe

The Ultra Cheesy Juicy Lucy is a mouthwatering twist on the classic cheeseburger, featuring a molten core of gooey cheese that oozes with every bite. To create this indulgent treat, start by selecting high-quality ground beef with a good fat content to ensure juiciness. Season the beef generously with salt, pepper, and any preferred spices. Divide the meat into equal portions and flatten them into thin patties. The key to the Juicy Lucy is the cheese filling, typically using American or cheddar cheese for optimal meltability. Place a generous amount of cheese in the center of one patty and cover it with another, sealing the edges carefully to encase the cheese. Cook the burgers over medium heat on a skillet or grill, allowing each side to develop a flavorful crust while ensuring the cheese inside melts perfectly. Once cooked to your desired doneness, let the burgers rest briefly before serving. The Ultra Cheesy Juicy Lucy pairs beautifully with toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions, all nestled within a soft bun. This recipe promises an unforgettable experience with its perfect balance of juicy beef and molten cheese, making it a must-try for any burger enthusiast.

The ingredients you need for an ultra cheesy Juicy Lucy

The classic Juicy Lucy (or one of its original versions) featured only grilled onions, which provided a zesty contrast to the generous amount of cheese. This recipe enhances the flavor by caramelizing the onions for a sweeter profile. To achieve this, you'll need butter, a large Spanish or yellow onion, and some salt. Don't forget to grab a few extra pinches of salt and some pepper for the burgers. You'll also need ground beef, American cheese, and cheese curds. Cheese curds are fresh pieces of cheddar that haven't been aged, making them squeaky (literally), soft, and wonderfully melty when cooked. To assemble the burgers, you'll require 4 sturdy hamburger buns.

Step 1: Melt butter

In a nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat.

Step 2: Add onion slices

After the butter has melted, incorporate the onion slices and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Step 3: Caramelize the onions

Sauté, stirring from time to time, until the onions achieve a rich caramel brown color, approximately 40 minutes. If the onions begin to darken too much, reduce the heat to low.

Step 4: Prepare the patties

As the onions are cooking, get the hamburgers ready. Place the ground meat into a large bowl.

Step 5: Season the meat

Sprinkle the meat with the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt and pepper, then mix well to combine.

Step 6: Divide into 4 sections

Split the beef into four portions.

Step 7: Divide into 8

Split each section into two equal parts.

Step 8: Shape into patties

Shape each section into large patties.

Step 9: Add American cheese

Place a slice of cheese on each of the 4 patties.

Step 10: Add cheese curds

Place 3 cheese curds in the middle of each cheese slice.

Step 11: Top and seal the patties

Place the remaining 4 patties on top of the first ones. Firmly press down and pinch the edges to seal.

Step 12: Heat butter

Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.

Step 13: Cook burgers on one side

Place the burgers in the skillet and cook, applying gentle pressure, until they are nicely browned, approximately 4-5 minutes.

Step 14: Flip and brown the other side

Turn the burgers and cook, applying gentle pressure, until they are nicely browned, for an additional 4-5 minutes.

Step 15: Serve on buns

Add caramelized onions on top of the burgers and place them in a bun.

How do I cook a Juicy Lucy all the way through?

Burgers are quick to cook, particularly if you prefer them medium-rare. To ensure the cheese melts properly, the burgers need to be cooked long enough to heat the center, which often results in patties being cooked beyond medium. This is one reason why the classic Juicy Lucys from Minnesota are sometimes overlooked—they tend to be cooked until crispy, relying on the gooey cheese for moisture. While there's a delightful flavor in the char of a freshly grilled burger, it may not always be what you're after at home.

These hefty quarter-pound burgers require about 4-5 minutes per side to achieve a rich brown crust and medium-rare interior. If you leave them on a bit longer, you can reach medium doneness, and don’t hesitate to cook the patty a little more— the cheese will begin to ooze out before it reaches well done. To speed up the cooking process, especially if your skillet can’t accommodate four patties at once, you can place the burgers in a warm oven to ensure they cook through completely.

How do I serve and store a Juicy Lucy?

A Juicy Lucy is best enjoyed right away, while the cheese is still warm and gooey. If you're grilling them, just place them in buns and serve immediately. If you're cooking on the stove and need to prepare in batches, keep them warm in the oven on a very low setting until you're ready to serve. The cheese remains melty for about five minutes before it starts to solidify as it cools to room temperature. The same goes for any leftovers, which should be stored in the refrigerator. To reheat leftovers, keep the patties in the fridge and warm them up in the microwave or oven until they're hot, taking care to do so in short intervals to prevent the cheese from overheating and oozing out of the patty.

We suggest enjoying Juicy Lucys with classic sides: thick-cut French fries, potato chips, and a dill pickle. And if you have extra cheese curds, take a cue from Wisconsinites and fry them up!

Ultra Cheesy Juicy Lucy Recipe