About a month ago Michael saw an episode of Food Wars on Travel Channel that featured the Juicy Lucy/Jucy Lucy burger, a Minneapolis creation with a devout following, and he knew instantly that he had to make it. I enjoy seeing him get over the moon about trying something new, and it was fun to watch him apply his engineering talents to building the perfect stuffed burger. He likes the mounded look of the Juicy Lucy/Jucy Lucy burger rather than a flat burger, so he piles the fillings high before sealing the edges.
I had the burgers all labeled and neatly arranged on the grill to keep track of the different fillings, then of course got them all out of order after transferring them to the platter. A few of the burgers spilled their cheesy guts onto the platter, making the the guessing game a little easier, but I recommend having some sort of labeling system if you are using a variety of fillings.
They cook up very juicy and are delicious with your summer cookout sides, salads, and desserts.
Grilling Safety Tips
With the official start of grilling season just around the corner, now is a good time to brush up on grill safety. Make sure your grill as at least 10 feet away from any structure and never use a grill in a garage, carport, under an awning, or anything else with a roof overhead. Don’t use kerosene or gasoline to light a charcoal fire because it can cause an explosion, and don’t spray lighter fluid on a charcoal fire as it can cause a dangerous flare up. Never leave a grill unattended, especially with children and pets around. And finally, always keep a fire extinguisher handy. Have fun and stay safe. (Safety tips from Underwriters Laboratories, but this post is not sponsored by them.)
Stuffed Burgers (aka Juicy Lucy/Jucy Lucy)
Equipment
- grill
- 2 platters, one covered with plastic wrap
- cutting board (plastic wrap optional)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chuck (80 to 85% lean)
- cheese slices (We like muenster, American, and Swiss.)
- gluten-free hamburger buns (or whatever type you like)
- salt
Other Fillings
Preparation
- Divide the ground chuck into 6 equal pieces, then divide each piece in half. Roll the 12 pieces into tight balls and press flat, until the patty is slightly larger than the bun. (Michael uses an 8 ounce sour cream container lid to measure the patties. He’s such an engineer.) Make sure the meat is compacted, because if the meat is too loose the fillings will seep out and make a mess on the grill. Trust me on this.
- Cut each slice of cheese into square quarters and place the four quarters on a patty. Place another patty on top and press down around the edges, making a tight seal. Place the shaped patties on a platter and cover with some plastic wrap. Chill the burgers for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the grill. Sprinkle a bit of salt on each patty and place them on the grill and cook over high heat for 6 minutes. Flip the burgers and pierce the cooked sides with a sharp knife to let a little steam escape from the molten cheese. Cook another 4 to 6 minutes (or longer) depending on your doneness preference, then remove from the grill. Let the burgers rest and cool a few minutes, then serve with your favorite toppings.
Rosa says
Ohyummy, they look so good!
Cheers,
Rosa
shannon abdollmohammadi says
You should enter your recipe into the Build A Better Burger competition. I really liked your post!!!!
Sharlene Thomas says
How delicious! Thanks for sharing. Come visit when you can.
Angie says
I love this idea, I have had stuffed meatballs before, but never a burger, Yummy!
Reeves@TastyThailand says
I absolutely love burgers stuffed with anything and these look particularly lovely 🙂
susan from food blogga says
We're including Jucy-Lucy in my sandwich cookbook too! They're awesome!
Cookologist says
I live stuffed burgers and now i don't have to make them by hand anymore with my Burger Pocket Press the stuffed burger maker.
brandon says
what do u mean chill them for 30 min. do u mean put them in the fridge ?
Andrea says
Hi Brandon. Yes, put them in the frig so the meat firms up. Putting the burgers on the grill when cold helps them to stay together and not fall apart.