Randy Chandler
Cheese-stuffed burgers are a delicious twist on the classic cheeseburger. Also known as a Juicy Lucy, this mouth-watering dish is a cheese-lover's dream, with a surprise pocket of melted cheese in the centre. This burger is usually grilled, but can also be baked in the oven. The key to a perfect cheese-stuffed burger is ensuring the cheese is fully melted and that there are no holes in the patty for the cheese to leak out. With a combination of gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and juicy beef, this burger is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next cookout.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Cheddar, Colby, Blue Cheese, Swiss, Feta Cheese, American Cheese, Pepper Jack |
| Other Ingredients | Bacon, Caramelized Onions, Garlic, Red Bell Peppers, Fresh Cilantro, Barbecue Sauce, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Salt, Lettuce, Tomato |
| Temperature | 400°F |
| Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 160°F |
| Stove Temperature | Medium |
| Stove Time | 3-5 minutes per side |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar is a classic choice for stuffed burgers. It has a strong, tasty flavour and melts easily, creating a creamy and gooey centre. You can choose from mild to sharp cheddar, depending on your preference and how much flavour you want in your burger.
American Cheese
American cheese is known for its smooth and creamy taste. It's a popular choice for cheeseburgers and melts well, making it a great option for creating a rich and indulgent centre in your stuffed burger.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese has a slightly nutty flavour and melts easily. It complements the burger flavour without overwhelming it, creating a well-rounded taste experience.
Pepper Jack Cheese
If you like a little spice, pepper jack cheese is an excellent option. It adds a kick of heat to your burger and melts nicely, ensuring a juicy and flavourful bite.
Other Options
You can also experiment with other varieties such as Colby, blue cheese, or feta cheese. These cheeses offer unique flavour profiles that can enhance your stuffed burger.
When selecting cheese for your stuffed burger, it's important to consider the flavour, meltability, and how it pairs with your other ingredients. Don't be afraid to try different types of cheese to find your favourite combination!
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Preparing the beef patties
Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the beef patties, you'll need ground beef, also known as minced beef. Aim for beef with a fat content of at least 15%; the fat contributes to juicier patties and makes them easier to shape. You'll also need some seasonings like seasoned salt or a combination of garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
Once you have your ingredients, it's time to mix and shape the patties. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with your chosen seasonings. Use your hands or a spatula to mix everything together thoroughly. Then, divide the mixture into equal portions. The number of portions will depend on how many burgers you plan to make and their desired size. For a standard-sized burger, a quarter-pound of beef per patty is a good starting point. Shape each portion into a ball, then flatten them into thin patties. You can use wax paper and a flat-bottomed pan to help achieve an even thickness—aim for patties that are about a quarter to a half-inch thick.
Now comes the fun part: stuffing the cheese! Take one patty and sprinkle shredded or grated cheese onto its center. Avoid letting the cheese reach the edges, as you want to ensure a good seal. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add other ingredients like caramelized onions, bacon bits, or chopped red bell peppers on top of the cheese. Just remember not to overstuff, or you might end up with a cheese leak (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just a bit messier!).
Finally, take another patty and place it on top of the cheese and other fillings. Press the edges of the two patties together firmly to seal in the cheese and any other fillings. Be sure to smooth out the edges to prevent any leakage during cooking. Repeat this process until you've used all your patties and have several cheese-stuffed masterpieces ready for the grill or oven!
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Stuffing the cheese
Stuffing cheese into a burger is a great way to take your burger game to the next level. It's not difficult, but it may take a little practice to get the burger construction down. The key is to ensure there are no holes in the burger after stuffing, or the cheese will leak out. Even if that happens, don't worry—it will still be delicious, and you'll just have a little extra cleanup.
To stuff your burger with cheese, start by dividing your beef into equal portions and shaping them into balls. You can use any type of beef you like, but a higher fat content makes it easier to form the patties. On a flat surface, lay down a sheet of wax paper and place a beef ball on top. Top with another sheet of wax paper, then use a flat-bottomed pan to press the meat into thin patties. Repeat this process for the remaining beef portions.
Now it's time to add the cheese! Take one of your thin patties and top it with shredded or block cheese, making sure it doesn't hang over the sides to ensure a good seal. You can use any type of cheese you like, such as cheddar, American, pepper jack, Colby, blue cheese, Swiss, or feta. If you want to get fancy, you can add other toppings like caramelized onions, bacon, or fresh cilantro. Just be sure not to overstuff the burger, or it will be difficult to seal.
Once you've added your desired amount of cheese and toppings, it's time to encase it with another patty. Take a second patty and place it on top, pressing the edges together firmly to seal in the cheese and toppings. Be careful not to leave any gaps, or the cheese will leak out during cooking. Repeat this process for the remaining patties until you have a batch of stuffed cheeseburgers ready for the grill or oven.
If you're a cheese lover, you can even add a slice of cheese on top of the burger during the last minute or two of grilling or baking. This will give you an extra cheesy treat and take your stuffed cheeseburger to the ultimate level of cheesiness!
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Cooking the burger
To cook a cheese-stuffed burger in the oven, you will need a grill or a stovetop. You can use a large outdoor grill, a George Foreman grill, a griddle, a cast-iron skillet, or a simple skillet to pan-fry the patties.
If you are using a stovetop, add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to a cast-iron skillet or non-stick skillet and place it over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, cook the patties for 3-5 minutes per side until they are no longer pink.
If you are using a grill, preheat it to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Grill the stuffed patties for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the beef is no longer pink in the centre. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre should read at least 160°F (70°C).
If you are baking the cheeseburger in the oven, bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Turn once and add cheese 1-2 minutes before pulling it out to allow it to melt.
When cooking stuffed burger patties, the cheddar cheese will melt slightly, so avoid leaving it on the heat for longer than necessary. Once the patties are cooked, remove them promptly. The cheese might ooze out, so push it inside the patties instead of having it stick out.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve a cheese-stuffed burger. You can serve it with toasted hamburger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, burger sauce, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. You can also experiment with different toppings and flavors once you've mastered the method.
If you want to serve your cheese-stuffed burger with bacon, cook the bacon in a skillet until it is cooked but not crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to cool, then chop it into small pieces. You can also add caramelized onions to your bacon cheeseburger by cooking the onions in the bacon drippings until they are soft and golden brown.
For a truly indulgent experience, you can make a ""Juicy Lucy" burger, which is a cheese-stuffed burger that originated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This burger is cooked with the cheese inside the meat, resulting in a gooey core of melted cheese. To make a Juicy Lucy, form your beef into patties, and add a thumbprint indentation into the center of each patty to ensure even cooking and help the patty hold its shape. Place a ball of cheese in the center of each patty and seal the edges to prevent cheese leakage.
Finally, consider serving your cheese-stuffed burgers with a side of fries, corn, or a Greek pasta salad, and don't forget to end your meal with something sweet, like chewy chocolate chip cookies!
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese-stuffed burgers can be cooked on a grill, in a skillet, or in the oven. If you're using a grill, cook the burgers for 4-5 minutes on each side. If you're using a skillet, cook the burgers for 3-5 minutes on each side. If you're using an oven, bake the burgers at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
To prevent cheese from leaking out of your stuffed burger, make sure there are no holes in the patty after stuffing it. You can also push the cheese inside the patty, rather than letting it stick out of the sides.
You will need ground beef, shredded cheese, and burger buns. You can also add bacon, onions, and seasonings like garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
