Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger

Name: Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio); 8 slices American cheese slices; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter; 4 hamburger buns; 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced; 16 slices dill pickle slices; to taste ketchup; to taste mustard

An iconic Minneapolis creation featuring a beef patty with molten cheese sealed inside. Two local establishments, Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club, both claim to have invented this inside-out cheeseburger. Matt's Bar calls it the "Jucy Lucy" (without the "i"), while the 5-8 Club spells it "Juicy Lucy." Regardless of the spelling, the concept is the same: a burger patty with hot, melted cheese hidden inside that creates a delicious, gooey surprise with the first bite.

35 minMediumServes 4550 cal/serving

AmericanLunchStovetopStandardHigh ProteinAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
8 slices American cheese slices
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter
4 hamburger buns
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
16 slices dill pickle slices
to taste ketchup
to taste mustard

Instructions

1

Divide the 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio) into 8 equal portions (4 portions if making 2 servings, 12 for 6 servings, 16 for 8 servings). Shape each portion into a thin patty, about 5 inches in diameter.
2

Season the patties with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp onion powder.
3

For each Juicy Lucy, place 8 slices American cheese slices (folded to fit) in the center of one patty. Leave about 1/2 inch of space around the edges.
4

Place a second patty on top of the cheese and pinch the edges firmly to seal the cheese completely inside. Make sure there are no holes or the cheese will leak out during cooking.
5

Gently flatten the sealed patty slightly, being careful not to squeeze too hard. The final thickness should be about 3/4 inch.
6

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter.
7

Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on the first side. Flip carefully and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the second side for medium doneness. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C). Be patient and resist the urge to press down on the patties while cooking, as this will cause the cheese to leak out.
8

If desired, toast the 4 hamburger buns lightly on the same skillet.
9

For authentic Minnesota style, serve the burgers with minimal toppings of just 1 thinly sliced yellow onion and 16 slices dill pickle slices, letting the molten cheese be the star. Offer ketchup and mustard on the side.
10

IMPORTANT: Let the burgers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving so the molten cheese doesn't immediately burst out. Warn guests about the hot cheese inside!

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Questions

What is Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger?

What internal temperature should Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger reach?

For Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 7. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why rest the meat in Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger?

Step 10 reads: "IMPORTANT: Let the burgers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving so the molten cheese doesn't immediately burst out." Heat drives the juices toward the center. The rest in step 10 lets them spread back out, so they stay in the meat instead of running onto the board when you cut.

What equipment do I need for Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger?

Beyond a knife and a board, the method uses a cast-iron skillet (step 6) and a grill pan (step 6). If you do not have one, a heavy stainless skillet replaces the cast iron; preheat it a little longer.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger uses 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio).

How much protein is in Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 38 g of protein in about 550 calories, alongside 28 g carbohydrate and 24 g fat, plus 1 g fiber and 920 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein lunch collection.

Serve it with

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