The Juicy Lucy burger has captured the hearts and taste buds of burger lovers everywhere with its irresistible combination of flavor and texture. This fun spin on the classic cheeseburger takes your eating experience to the next level by stuffing gooey, melted cheese right inside the patty! How yum is that? So grab your apron and get ready to make a juicy, cheesy masterpiece in your own kitchen!

lettuce wrapped juicy lucy with veggies on a white plate

What is a Juicy Lucy?

A Juicy Lucy (sometimes spelled Jucy Lucy) is a popular burger well-known for its unique preparation method. The cheese is stuffed inside the patty instead of on top, creating a "juicy" and flavorful experience when taking a bite.

But, did you know that the Juicy Lucy was first invented in Minneapolis?

Legend has it that a restaurant called Matt's Bar accidentally created this famous cheese-stuffed burger when a customer requested his cheese be cooked inside instead of on top.

Since then, it has become a popular dish all over the country. And with the rise of the keto diet, many have adapted this classic recipe to fit their low-carb lifestyle.

rolled up ground beef on parchment paper

Making juicy Lucy burgers at home

To make this keto cheese-stuffed burger recipe at home, you will need a few key ingredients—and a lot of love for juicy, cheesy burgers!

Of course, the star of the show is the ground beef. Look for an 80/20 blend to ensure that your burgers are juicy and flavorful. However, if you prefer leaner meat, feel free to use any ratio you like!
Next up is the cheese - after all, it wouldn't be a Juicy Lucy without ooey-gooey melted cheese inside! Cheddar is the classic choice, but you can get creative and experiment with other types of cheese, like pepper jack or blue cheese.
Don't forget to grab some lettuce to wrap your burgers. Iceberg lettuce works best, as it's sturdy enough to hold all the delicious toppings without breaking or getting soggy.
Speaking of toppings, you'll also need a tomato, a red onion, and some pickles to complete your burger experience. Feel free to add any other toppings you love, like avocado or bacon!

smashing ground beef patty with a glass container

adding slice of cheese in between burger patties

searing burger patty in a cast iron skillet

Tips for cooking perfect juicy Lucy burgers

Now that you have all the ingredients, it's time to get grilling! Here are a few tips to ensure perfectly cooked Juicy Lucy burgers every time:

Make sure your patties are thin and evenly sized. This helps them cook evenly and quickly without overcooking on the outside before the cheese has a chance to melt inside.
Don't be afraid to season your burgers generously with salt and pepper. The seasoning helps bring out the flavor of the meat and adds an extra layer of deliciousness.
Cook your burgers at medium heat to give the cheese enough time to melt inside and get a nice sear on the outside. If you cook them at too high heat, they may end up dry or burnt on the outside.
Want even more cheesy goodness? Add an extra slice of cheese on top of your burger during the last minute of cooking for an extra melty surprise.
Let your cooked burgers rest for a few minutes before assembling them. This helps keep the juices inside and prevents the cheese from spilling out when you take a bite. And also burning the roof of your mouth!!

lettuce wrapped lucy cheese burger with tomatoes and pickles

What to serve with a juicy Lucy hamburger

There are endless possibilities when it comes to sides for your juicy Lucy burger. My favorite keto side dishes:

Baked jicama fries: Thinly slice jicama into fry shapes, toss in olive oil and seasonings of your choice, and then bake until crispy for a tasty, low-carb alternative to french fries.
Cauliflower tots: Grate some cauliflower, mix it with cheese, eggs, and seasoning, form into tot shapes, and bake until golden brown. This is a perfect low-carb alternative to tater tots!
Keto coleslaw: A refreshing side dish made with cabbage or other veggies tossed in a creamy dressing.
Broccoli salad: This classic salad combines the crunch of fresh broccoli with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy dressing.
Zucchini fries: Cut zucchini into sticks, dip in beaten egg, and then add a mixture of almond flour, grated parmesan cheese, and seasoning. Bake until crispy for a tasty low-carb side dish!

dressed cheese stuffed burger with fixings.

Love This Cheesy, Juicy Lucy Burger? Try These Recipes!

Looking for more keto dinner recipes to share with friends and family? Check out a few of these favorites:

Flying Dutchman In-N-Out Burger - An easy and delicious copycat recipe made with two juicy burger patties, gooey melted cheese, and "onion rings."
Cheeseburger Pie - Make an easy, hearty meal with ground beef baked in a pie crust and topped with cheese and veggies.
Keto Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup - A rich and creamy soup loaded with ground beef, bacon, cheese, and veggies - all in one bowl!
Keto Big Mac Salad - All the flavors of a classic Big Mac sandwich in a low-carb salad form. Serve with homemade Thousand Island dressing for an extra delicious touch.

Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!

Recipe

Keto Juicy Lucy Burger

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The Juicy Lucy burger is such a tasty twist on the classic cheeseburger! Instead of melting the cheese on top, it’s all gooey and melty inside the patty. This recipe mixes up some juicy ground beef with your favorite cheese, giving you a fun explosion of cheesy goodness in every single bite!

Prep Time:10

Cook Time:10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Print Pin Review Recipe Save Recipe

Servings: 4

Calories: 666

Ingredients

Instructions

Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions and flatten each portion into a thin patty.
Place 4 quarters of cheddar cheese in the center of 4 of the patties.
Top each cheese-filled patty with another patty and press the edges together to seal, ensuring the cheese is completely enclosed.
Season both sides of the burgers with salt and pepper.
Preheat a cast iron skillet or grill to medium heat. Pan fry or grill the burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the burgers are cooked through and the cheese is melted inside.
While the burgers are cooking, prepare the lettuce wraps by rinsing and drying the lettuce leaves.
Once the burgers are done, remove them from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes.
Assemble the burgers by placing each patty on a lettuce leaf. Top with tomato slices, onion slices, and pickle slices.
Wrap the lettuce around the burger to form a wrap.
Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious keto Juicy Lucy burgers!

Notes

Serving size = 1 burger
Using 80/20 blend of beef will give the burger more juice and flavor, but it can be made with leaner meat as well.
If desired, grill the red onions at the same time as the burgers.
Burgers must be cooked at medium heat to give the cheese time to melt on the inside. If burgers are cooked on higher heat the outside will cook before the cheese can melt.

Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart

Nutrition

Additional Info

Net Carbs: 4 g | % Carbs: 2.5 % | % Protein: 27 % | % Fat: 70.5 % | SmartPoints: 22

Values

Array
(
    [calories] => 666
    [carbohydrates] => 5
    [protein] => 44
    [fat] => 51
    [saturated_fat] => 21
    [polyunsaturated_fat] => 1
    [monounsaturated_fat] => 21
    [trans_fat] => 3
    [cholesterol] => 178
    [sodium] => 380
    [potassium] => 789
    [fiber] => 1
    [sugar] => 3
    [vitamin_a] => 576
    [vitamin_c] => 9
    [calcium] => 179
    [iron] => 5
)

Notes on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

Copyright

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