These juicy keto cheese stuffed burgers are super easy to make indoors, pan fried or in the air fryer. Use our special secret ingredient, for the perfect grilled burger flavor!
In a large bowl, mix the 2.5 pounds ground beefround beef with salt and spices. Divide into 6 equal portions.
Prepare the cheese: cut in smaller pieces to fit the middle of the burgers, or fold up slices. If using shredded cheese, compress inside your hand before stuffing the burger. You'll use about 1 ounce of of cheese per patty.
To shape the burgers in your hand, take the portion of meat and gently form a ball. Open up a hole in the middle, stuff with cheese and close. Make sure there's no cheese peeking out.
To shape the stuffed burger using a metal ring, place half of the meat portion inside the ring and slightly press down on it. Place the cheese in the middle, leaving about half an inch around the edges. Take the other half of the portion of meat and close the top, sealing the sides.
Air fryer instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C or 365 °F. Place the burgers inside the air fryer in a single layer, without touching the sides. If necessary, cook in batches. Cook for 6 minutes, then flip the burgers and cook for another 3-5 minutes until browned.
Stove top instructions
Heat up a skillet with a little bit of olive oil, lard or bacon grease. Cook the burgers on medium-high heat, for about 5 minutes, until you see the browning coming up at above middle level on the side of the patties. Flip them up, and let them cook for about the same amount of time again, until they are nicely seared. Don't smash or poke the burgers, or the cheese might leak.
Notes
Cheese options: For stuffed burgers the best are easy melting cheese that keeps some shape (not mozzarella): raclette (the one I use), young cheddar (which has a higher moisture content and melts better than aged), fontina, gruyere, and provolone.If you want to temperature test to be sure, an internal temperature of 70 °C or 160 °F means they are well done - and the cheese fully melted.