Italian Style Juicy Lucy Burger

This Italian Style Juicy Lucy Burger is stuffed with fresh mozzarella, basil pesto and crispy pancetta to create the ultimate stuffed burger.

The Original Juicy Lucy Burger

You may not know this, but the Juicy Lucy burger was first invented here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There are two restaurants (Matt’s Bar and the The 5-8 Club) who claimed to have created it back in the 1950’s. And, there continues to be a friendly (but fierce) rivalry as to who thinks has the best Juicy Lucy burger!

Regardless of its origin, the Juicy Lucy is a wonderfully delicious addition to any burger menu.

While your classic cheeseburger has the cheese on top of the burger, Juicy Lucy’s are essentially cheese-stuffed burgers. Take two thin burger patties, insert some melty American cheese and cook on the flattop grill. 

When you bite into it, the cheese oozes out and the burger stays nice and juicy. I have had the pleasure of eating these creations and they are quite delicious. And no, I will not provide an opinion on whether the 5-8 Club or Matt’s Bar versions are better than the other!

The Italian Style Juicy Lucy

While the traditional Juicy Lucy is a simple inside-out cheeseburger, I wanted to make something a little different. So, I added a cheesy Italian twist and created the Italian Style Juicy Lucy.

So, what makes this an Italian Style Juicy Lucy burger recipe and gives it its own unique flavor?

• I’ve included a traditional Italian cheese (fresh mozzarella) as the base of the filling
• Pancetta (basically Italian bacon!) and basil pesto are also mixed in with the mozzarella cheese
• I rub the burger buns with garlic to add in more of that Italian flavor
• Finally, the burger is topped with a delicious marinara sauce

These Italian Style Juicy Lucy Burgers are definitely more fun than regular burgers and take less than 30 minutes to prepare. I also love that they are made with simple ingredients easily found in your local grocery stores.

Optimal Ground Meat to Use for this Burger

Definitely use ground beef and I prefer either 85% or 90% lean. While in some of my recipes I do use ground turkey (like these Bacon Turkey Burgers), these burgers need the higher fat content that comes from ground beef. It’s all about keeping it juicy!

So, I would not recommend the leaner ground meats like ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork because of their lower fat content. 

The Best Burger Buns to Use for the Juicy Lucy

In general, I love ciabatta buns. And, they often accompany many Italian recipes. They have great texture and hold up well with this hearty burger.

If you like something a little softer, but will still hold up well with this burger, a brioche burger bun is an excellent substitute. It has a bit softer texture than a ciabatta bun and is slightly sweeter, but still pairs wonderfully well with the burger.

Freezing the Burgers

I have frozen these burgers and reheated and they still taste great. Simply make the burger and let it cool to room temperature. Do not top with marinara or put on the burger bun.

Once at room temperature, put each burger in an airtight container (in this case, I find individual Zip-Lock bags work great). Place in the freezer for up to three months.

When you are ready to serve, take the burgers out of the freezer and let them thaw to room temperature. Place the burgers on a sheet pan and put into a non-preheated oven. Turn oven to 350 degrees.

Once the oven reaches 350 degrees, the burgers should be reheated. While they are being reheated, prepare the marinara sauce and toast your burger buns. Assemble per the instructions in the recipe card and you have your Italian Style Juicy Lucy Burger.

 

Tips and Tricks

• I usually use 90% lean ground beef, but 85% lean is also a good choice. I wouldn’t recommend anything higher than 90% lean because the burgers are more likely to turn out dry.
• If you can’t find pancetta, bacon is a good substitute.
• I prefer using fresh mozzarella, but shredded mozzarella can be substituted.
• Make sure that the top and bottom burgers are sealed together well so that the filling doesn’t ooze out.
• Make sure that your skillet is fully preheated to ensure a good sear on the burgers.

Ingredients Needed to Make Italian Style Juicy Lucy Burgers

Full instructions can be found below in the printable recipe card

• Ground beef – I don’t recommend using anything leaner than 90% lean so that the burgers turn out nice and juicy.
• Pancetta – Bacon is a good substitution if you can’t find pancetta.
• Fresh mozzarella – This is my preference, but packaged shredded mozzarella can be substituted if that’s what you have on hand.
• Prepared pesto – This adds great flavor to the burgers.
• Salt 
• Black pepper
• Marinara sauce – Jarred sauce works for this recipe, but if you prefer homemade, this 5 Ingredient Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce is my go-to recipe.
• Garlic – Rubbing cut garlic on the rolls adds just a touch of garlic flavor to the burgers.
• Olive oil – For toasting the ciabatta rolls.
• Ciabatta rolls – This is my preference, but brioche buns are also delicious.

How to Make Italian Style Juicy Lucy Burgers

• Cook pancetta in a small skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
• Form ground beef into 8 patties.
• Top each of 4 of the patties with 1/4 of the mozzarella, pancetta and pesto.
• Cover each of the patties with the remaining patties, making sure the seams are well-sealed.
• Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet (I used a cast iron skillet) over medium heat.
• Cook patties for about 5-6 minutes per side for medium/medium rare or 6-8 for medium/medium well.
• Meanwhile, slice rolls in half and brush cut sides with olive oil.
• Toast in a second skillet over medium heat.
• Peel and cut garlic clove in half. Rub cut side of garlic on each of the rolls once they’re toasted.
• Place cooked burgers on the bottom of each roll and top with 1/4 of the marinara sauce.

More Unique Burgers to Try

• Bacon Turkey Burgers
• South of the Border Burgers
• Rueben Burgers
• Guacamole Stuffed Fajita Burgers
• Lamb Sliders with Goat Cheese and Pepper Jelly

ENJOY!