Original Juicy Lucy Burger Food

JUICY LUCY BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, and pepper in a large bowl; mix well. Form 8, thin patties from the beef. Each patty should be slightly larger than a slice of cheese.
• Cut each slice of American cheese into 4 equal pieces; stack the pieces. Sandwich one stack of cheese between 2 ground beef patties. Tightly pinch edges together tightly seal the cheese within the meat. Repeat with the remaining cheese and patties.
• Preheat a cast-iron or other heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Cook burgers until well browned, about 4 minutes. It is common for burgers to puff up due to steam from the melting cheese. Turn burgers and prick the top of each to allow steam to escape; cook until browned on the outside and no longer pink on the inside; about 4 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns.

JUICY LUCY BURGER

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together 2 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Divide the beef into four equal portions, then halve each of those portions. Gently roll each portion into a ball using the palm of your hand, then flatten each into a disk shape on a large cutting board, pressing with your fingers and palm until just over 4 inches wide and 1/4-inch thick. Repeat to form eight patties. Season both sides of each patty with the salt-and-pepper blend.
• Add one slice cheese to the center of one patty, folding any overhanging corners of the cheese inward. Using a spatula, lift another patty from the cutting board and place it on top of the cheese, pressing gently to connect both patties. Gently pinch the edges of the patties together to thoroughly seal, then use your fingers to round the edges by pressing and patting along the perimeter. Repeat with the remaining patties, forming three more burgers, and set aside.
• In a large (preferably 12-inch) cast-iron skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; sprinkle with sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, adding 2 tablespoons water about every 5 minutes to prevent burning, until tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Once the onions are caramelized, transfer them to a bowl. (If you have any bits left in the pan, wipe them out.)
• Add the oil to the skillet to lightly coat the bottom and heat over medium-high until scalding-hot, about 2 minutes. Add the burgers and cook until seared and dark brown on the outside, 3 to 5 minutes per side. (You'll want to let the burgers cook undisturbed as long as possible to develop a crisp sear and to prevent them from splitting. Their insides will cook through by the time the outsides form a proper sear. Resist the urge to cut them open, as the cheese will spurt out.) Transfer burgers to a clean cutting board to rest.
• Meanwhile, toast the buns: Scrape up and remove from the pan any cheese that may have leaked, leaving a thin layer of accumulated fat in the pan. Reduce the heat to medium. Working in batches, toast the buns cut-side down until warmed and toasted in spots, about 1 minute. Form sandwiches by layering pickles, patties, then caramelized onions on buns. Serve immediately.

JUICY LUCY

Steps:

• Lightly mix 6 ounces ground beef chuck with a big pinch of kosher salt. Form into two equal balls, and then shape into two flat patties. Lay two slices American cheese between them and form the meat around the cheese; make an indentation in the center of the patty. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat; sprinkle the skillet with salt. Cook the burger 4 to 5 minutes per side. Serve on a soft bun.

MINNEAPOLIS BAR BURGERS AKA JUICY LUCY BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the caramelized onions: Heat the oil in a large cast-iron pan over medium heat, add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to one side of a rimmed baking sheet and set aside. Reserve the cast-iron pan.
• For the burgers: Place the buns cut-side up on the other side of the rimmed baking sheet, brush the cut sides with some canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toast in the oven until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Divide the meat into 8 equal portions (about 3 ounces each). Shape each portion with your hands into a thin patty and place on another baking sheet. Places 2 slices of cheese each in the center of 4 of the patties. Place the remaining patties on top of the cheese. Pinch together the edges of both patties to seal. Sprinkle both sides of each burger with salt and pepper.
• Heat the same cast-iron pan over high heat. Add the canola oil and let heat until it begins to shimmer. Put the burgers in the pan and cook, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides and cooked to medium doneness, about 8 minutes total.
• Carefully add a splash of water and immediately cover tightly with a lid. Cook about 1 minute longer (the steam will ensure the cheese in the center melts completely).
• Place the burgers on the bottom buns and top with the ketchup, sliced pickles, caramelized onions and the top buns and serve immediately.