The Crucial Step You Need To Take Before Ever Stuffing Another Burger

If you are a fan of the big ol' stuffed burger, you ought to know how the OG stuffed burger known as the Jucy Lucy came into existence. According to Matt's Bar, an eatery that prides itself on being the home to the original Jucy Lucy, founder Matt Bristol created the Minnesota favorite when a customer ordered a burger with two patties and a slice of cheese in the middle. "That's one juicy Lucy," he exclaimed as he took a bite of it, and a legend was born.

Stuffed burgers are wildly popular. Of course, there are people who like their burgers with thin patties that don't require breaking their jaws to consume, but stuffed burgers have it all — they are juicy, jam-packed with flavor, and satisfying.

While they can be magical, a poorly made stuffed burger can also be the worst thing you've ever eaten. You know, the kind that feels raw and is visibly falling apart. To avoid that, there are a few things to keep in mind before stuffing your next burger.

Since stuffed burgers are much thicker than the regular variety, you'll have to slightly switch up your cooking method. Making a Jucy Lucy is simple enough — place a slice of cheese between two patties, gently press them together and pinch the edges, and cook (via The New York Times). If you want to make it with a twist and add a bunch of other ingredients like bacon or a different kind of meat, chances are you'll end up burning your patty in the process of cooking everything or end up with a raw center.

To avoid that, you are better off cooking the ingredients in your stuffing before you put them on the patty. If you're adding vegetables to your stuffed burger, The Spruce Eats recommends cooking them down and draining them of excess moisture before stuffing them in the patty.

It's important not to overstuff the burger, as it can burst at the seams. The New York Times suggests cooking the burger for about three to five minutes per side and letting them sit undisturbed as they cook to keep them from breaking apart. As tempting as it might be, you shouldn't bite into your burger as soon as it's cooked since the melted cheese can ooze out and rip the skin right off the roof of your mouth. Let it cool down for a few minutes and enjoy.