Dinner

Smashed Jucy Lucy

Name: Smashed Jucy Lucy
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb (454g) ground beef chuck; Salt and pepper to taste; 3–6 American cheese slices; 3 burger buns, toasted; Burger toppings of choice such as lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mustard, ketchup, barbeque sauce, mayo, etc.

A Jucy Lucy is a stuffed cheeseburger with the cheese inside the meat instead of on top. In this version of Juicy Lucy, we are combining the concept with a smash burger (which is the idea of forming the burger right in the hot pan, resulting in the best sear possible).

Prep

5 min

Cook

5 min

Total

10 min

Serves

Style

💰 Everyday

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A Juicy Lucy is a stuffed cheeseburger with the cheese inside the meat instead of on top. In this version of Juicy Lucy, we are combining the concept with a smash burger (which is the idea of forming the burger right in the hot pan, resulting in the best sear possible).

Each burger comes together in about 5–7 minutes once the pan is preheated (including cooking time). But it tastes like something you can expect at a professional burger joint.

Ingredients

Servings:

1 lb (454g) ground beef chuck
Salt and pepper to taste
3–6 American cheese slices
3 burger buns, toasted
Burger toppings of choice such as lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mustard, ketchup, barbeque sauce, mayo, etc.

Instructions

1
Make sure your buns are toasted and all the garnishes are set up and ready to go. Gently divide the beef and form it into 6 balls. Preheat a non-stick frying pan for 1.5–2 minutes on high.
2
Place 2 balls on the frying pan (don't grease it). Smash each ball with a flat glass or ceramic container (or a solid metal spatula), pressing each burger into a thin patty, slightly larger than your bun. Cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper while the burgers are cooking. Flip to the other side and cook for just a few seconds (around 15 seconds) until cooked through. Place 1–2 American cheese slices on one patty and top it with the second patty.
3
Immediately place the burger on your toasted bun and top with garnishes of your choice. Eat immediately. Repeat with the remaining burgers, wiping the frying pan with paper towels between burgers.

FAQ

Can you make Smashed Jucy Lucy ahead of time?+

You can form the beef balls and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before smashing and cooking, but it's best to cook them fresh for maximum juiciness and cheese melt. If you prep ahead, let the beef come to room temperature for 10 minutes before smashing.

What happens if the cheese leaks out when you smash the burger?+

If your cheese is escaping, you're likely using too many slices or pressing too hard—stick to 1–2 slices per patty and smash with firm, controlled pressure rather than aggressive force. The cheese should stay mostly contained inside the beef as it cooks and melts.

Can you use a different cheese for Smashed Jucy Lucy?+

Yes, other melting cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack work great, but American cheese is ideal because it melts faster and more evenly, creating that signature oozy center. Avoid hard cheeses that won't melt quickly enough before the beef is done.

How do you keep the patties from sticking without oil?+

A good non-stick skillet is key—preheat it on high heat for 1.5–2 minutes so the beef sears immediately upon contact and releases easily. If you don't have non-stick, lightly butter your pan instead of using oil, which can make them slip around.