Recipe: Juicy Lucy Turkey Burgers
Serves4
The Juicy Lucy — a thin burger with an oozing cheese filling — is beloved in Minneapolis, where two rival bars claim to have “invented” it. They are ideally suited to be made with lean ground turkey, because a Juicy Lucy is always served well-done. Just be sure to serve it with plenty of napkins!
When using reduced-fat cheese, it is important to use a brand that melts well. My favorite is Kerrygold. Serve with classic condiments: ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
Serve this meal with:
Tester’s Notes
I didn’t discover the joys of Juicy Lucy burgers until just a few years ago, but they’re one of my favorite retro burgers. I mean, who doesn’t like a burger with a hidden pocket of cheese inside? In this version, the Worcestershire sauce and mustard add both flavor and moisture to the ground turkey, and the burger is a great, lightened-up version of the original.
When shaping the patties, dampen your hands with water to keep the meat from sticking to them, and I found a flat spatula helpful for moving the patties around when you’re ready to cook.
– Christine, July 2015
Juicy Lucy Turkey Burgers
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds
93% lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon
Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon
brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon
salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
black pepper
- 4 ounces
reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4
hamburger buns, toasted
- 12
pickle slices, optional
Instructions
Combine the turkey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl, and divide into 8 even piles. Form each into a thin 3-inch-wide patty.
Set aside about a quarter of the cheese. Equally divide the remaining cheese and place on top of four of the patties, leaving a half-inch ring around the perimeter clear. Place a second patty over the cheese and pinch the sides together to form a tight seal. Reshape the patties as needed to make them a nice even thickness. Gently press the top center of each to indent it slightly, but be sure to not expose any of the cheese filling.
Brush a nonstick skillet lightly with oil and heat over medium-high. Add the patties and cook until browned on the underside, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the burgers and top with the reserved cheese; cook another 2 to 3 minutes until cooked through.
Place the burgers on the buns, top with the pickles (if desired), and serve.