Whenever I’m craving a burger but want something a little healthier, I make this turkey burger recipe. These ground turkey patties require only a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to cook. I use Worcestershire sauce and ketchup to give these turkey burgers an umami punch. They’re so juicy and flavorful, I don’t even miss the beef!.
Something about summer makes me feel lighter, and I want the food I eat to be lighter too. Because turkey is lower in calories and saturated fat than beef, these turkey burgers are a great way to have burger night without all the bad stuff.
The juicy lucy turkey burger, sometimes known as a Jucy Lucy is a heavenly cheese-stuffed burger that has developed a cult following across the Midwest. This ingenious cheeseburger was invented in Minneapolis MN in the 1950s and has since spread across the region.
The juicy lucy is made by stuffing cheese inside a burger patty before cooking. This creates an ooey-gooey core of melted cheese that gushes out with every bite. It’s an absolute cheese lover’s dream!
While the original was made with ground beef, using ground turkey meat creates a healthier, leaner, and incredibly flavorful stuffed burger. The juicy lucy turkey burger has become a popular lower-calorie alternative that’s just as craveably delicious.
A Cheese Lover’s Dream Burger
For cheese fanatics stuffing a flavorful cheese directly into the middle of a burger patty is pure genius. The melted cheese blends with the seasoned meat to make an unbelievably juicy cheesy flavor bomb in every bite.
Simply topping a burger with cheese can’t compare to the decadent cheese-filled joy of biting into a juicy lucy. The hot melted core takes the flavor over the top!
While cheddar cheese is commonly used, many different melty cheese varieties work beautifully. Havarti, swiss, monterey jack, and american cheese all create cheesy perfection.
Easy to Make Turkey Cheeseburger Bliss
The great thing about juicy lucy turkey burgers is just how simple they are to make at home. There’s no complicated cooking techniques required.
You just form ground turkey into thin patties stuff with sliced cheese, seal the edges, and cook. That’s it! In mere minutes you can be sinking your teeth into cheesy turkey burger heaven.
Juicy lucys cook up fast in a skillet on the stove or on the grill. Their short cook time makes them a perfect fast dinner any night of the week. They’re sure to become a tasty new family favorite!
Cooking Up Incredibly Juicy Turkey Burgers
To get the absolute best flavor, juicy lucy turkey burgers are best cooked on an outdoor grill. The char from the flames gives these stuffed burgers an unbelievable smoky essence.
Just be careful not to overcook them or the turkey will dry out. Cook over a medium grill heat until the cheese inside melts and the meat is fully cooked.
Properly cooked juicy lucy turkey burgers come off the grill unbelievably moist and juicy, with a mouthwatering smoky flavor. The kids will go crazy for these!
Ooey-Gooey Cheese Options
While cheddar cheese is commonly used for a classic juicy lucy, don’t be afraid to experiment with other cheese choices too. Any good melting cheese will work wonders.
Swiss, havarti, monterey jack, mozzarella, and american cheese all create delightfully gooey centers. Try out different types to discover your favorite cheese combo.
No matter what cheese you choose, be sure to slice it thin so it melts faster when stuffed into the hot turkey burger as it cooks. This oozing melted cheese is key for juicy lucy perfection!
Toasted Buns and Delicious Toppings
A juicy lucy turkey burger is not complete without being sandwiched between two perfectly toasted buns. Brioche buns are a top choice, but any burger bun you love will do.
Feel free to customize your stuffed turkey cheeseburgers with all your favorite toppings too. Crispy lettuce, sliced tomato, pickles, red onion, ketchup, mustard, or special sauce all taste amazing.
I prefer my juicy lucys simple with just a little ketchup. But the great thing about these burgers is you can top them however you wish!
Minneapolis’ Claim to Cheeseburger Fame
While those outside the Midwest are just now discovering the joys of the juicy lucy, these incredible burgers have a long history in Minneapolis.
Both Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club claim to have invented the juicy lucy back in the 1950s. Ever since, it has been one of the Twin Cities’ most iconic and sought-after foods.
Trying an authentic Minneapolis juicy lucy made with ground beef is still a must for any burger lover visiting the area. But now anyone can enjoy the cheesy delight of this classic Midwestern sandwich.
An Absolute Must-Make Burger
You don’t have to travel all the way to Minnesota to sink your teeth into one of the most craveworthy burgers around. Making juicy lucy turkey burgers at home is easy and fun.
These cheese-exploding turkey burgers cook up fast and take the flavor of a basic turkey burger to the next level. One bite and you’ll be hooked!
Enjoy the juiciest, cheesiest, most mouthwatering turkey burger of your life with an unbelievable juicy lucy. Just get ready to make them again and again.
How to Store and Reheat
You can keep extra turkey burger patties in the freezer for up to 3 months or in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a skillet or grill pan until warmed through.
My favorite classic turkey burger toppings include tomato slices, lettuce, onions, mayo, ketchup or mustard, and pickles. When I feel like treating myself, I melt a slice of cheddar, pepper jack, Colby jack, or Swiss cheese on top of each turkey patty.
I like to serve my burger with sweet potato fries, a Caprese salad, or baked tomatoes with cheese because they are all healthy.
“Great recipe! Made them for the grandchildren and they loved them. Even the very picky eater. Hubby and I liked them too. Followed the recipe exactly. ” -Barbara.
More Burger Recipes to Try
- ▢ 1 pound lean ground turkey
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ▢ 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ▢ ¾ teaspoon seasoned salt or kosher salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ▢ 1 tablespoon canola oil
- ▢ 4 hamburger buns
- ▢ Sliced fresh tomato
- ▢ Thinly sliced red or white onion
- ▢ Lettuce
- ▢ Dill or Sweet Pickles
- ▢ Ketchup
- ▢ Mustard
- ▢ Mayonnaise
- Put all the turkey patty ingredients (except the canola oil) in a medium-sized bowl and mix them together. Gently mix the ingredients until incorporated. Separate the mixture into 4 equal parts, and use your hands to form each one into a ¼-½-inch patty. 1.25 pounds of lean ground turkey, 1.25 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 2.25 tablespoons of ketchup, 0.75 teaspoon of kosher salt or seasoned salt, and 0.75 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. When hot, add the oil. Before adding the patties to the pan or griddle, make sure the oil is hot enough to sizzle. Cook each side for 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly seared. If you put a meat thermometer in the middle of each patty, it should read 160°F. 1 tablespoon canola oil .
- Serve on buns and with your favorite toppings and condiments. Fresh tomato slices, red or white onion slices that aren’t too thick, lettuce, dill or sweet pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
- The nutrition facts only show for the ground turkey patties, not the buns or toppings that you can choose to add.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Juicy Turkey Burger Recipe
FAQ
What is the Juicy Lucy burger from?
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