Stuffed with cheddar and topped with crispy and crunchy slaw, these Cheese-Stuffed Burgers are the stuff of legend! Add crispy bacon, and you’ve got a burger that’s out of this world! Hungry? Dig into this colossal flavor-packed burger today!

Cheddar Stuffed Apple Slaw Burger | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

What’s better than a burger with cheese inside? The blend of beef, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy and creamy slaw, and bacon makes every bite amazing.

It’s not hard getting flavors like this, and the best part of this burger is that parts of it can be made ahead so you don’t have to spend time in the kitchen when you could be chatting with friends or family – or whoever is lucky enough to feast on these burgers!

I love burgers – pizzas are great, and all, and well, tacos are so good they should be their own food group, but there’s just something extra special about a burger. The burger always wins when you’re a serious carnivore like I am. 

But there are burgers, and then there are BURGERS. The perfect burger needs to be big and beefy with amazingly fresh toppings complimenting each other, and this cheddar-stuffed burger with apple coleslaw does just that. 

With a cheesy bite and crisp, tart apple slaw – and don’t forget the bacon – this is a well-balanced burger that hits all the creamy, crunchy, sweet, and salty notes that make every bite shine. 

Slip into your fat pants and forget the diet – these cheese-stuffed hamburgers are worth every bite.

Cheddar Stuffed Apple Slaw Burger | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

Ingredients

  • Ground beef – See my notes below for the best beef for burgers.
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cheddar cheese – Sharp or extra sharp (or old cheddar if you’re in Canada).

For the slaw:

  • Cabbage – Shredded thinly.
  • Carrots – Shredded.
  • Onion – Diced.
  • Dried cranberries 
  • Apple – Use a tart Granny Smith apple for the best apple flavor.
  • Salt and pepper
  • Mayonnaise – Use your favorite brand.
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Brown sugar – Just a wee bit!

For the stack:

  • Bacon – Fried nice and crisp.
  • Spreadable cheese – like this spreadable cheddar cheese. Find these in the deli area at your local market.
  • Whole wheat buns – I won’t tell if you use regular hamburger buns.
  • Tomato – Sliced.
  • Onion – Use a sweet onion or red onion.
  • Leaf lettuce – Washed and patted dry.
Cheddar Stuffed Apple Slaw Burger | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

What Kind Of Beef Makes The Best Burgers?

If your beef is too lean, it won’t have as much flavor. But if it is too fatty, you’ll have all sorts of flare-ups when grilling the burgers. I like using 85% beef. It’s got enough fat in it for flavor, and with a bit of Worcestershire Sauce and salt and pepper, the beef is seasoned just right.

How To Make The Best Cheese-Stuffed Burgers With Apple Slaw

Make the burgers:

Season the ground beef with salt and pepper.

Pour Worcestershire over the top and mix with your hands. Form into 8 thin patties.

Press a bit of the cheddar cheese into 4 of the patties and top with the remaining 4 patties being sure to pinch the edges shut well.

Chill for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling.

To make the slaw:

Mix the cabbage, carrot, onion, dried cranberries, and apple in a large bowl.

Season with salt and pepper, and let rest for a few moments.

Whisk the mayo, vinegar, and brown sugar in a small bowl until the sugar is dissolved. Pour over the cabbage mix and toss to coat.

Refrigerate until needed.

Grill the burgers:

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grate as needed.

Place the patties on the grill and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending or desired doneness. Toast the buns while you’re at it.

Assembly instructions:

Spread the cheese over the top of the hot buns (it will melt a little from the heat of the buns) or spread a bit right onto the top of the burgers.

Arrange the lettuce on the bottom of each bun, top with a hot patty, a slice (or 2) of bacon, a heaping pile of slaw, and the top bun.

Tips For Making The Best Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Burgers

  • Divide the meat into little balls before shaping them to make sure they are all even. Start with smaller balls than you think you will need because you are doubling the layers here.
  • Work with cold meat. As you work with the meat, your body heat warms up the meat, and the fats as well, which causes them to cook faster. Put the patties back in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling. This will help keep the flavors and fats all locked in.
  • With a cheese-filled sloppy slaw burger, you want to make sure your edges are pinched super secure. It takes just a second, but it helps to keep the cheese locked inside and not oozing out while grilling.
  • The meat and cheese will expand when cooking, so don’t forget the golden rule of great grilled burgers: that dimple in the center. This will be hard to do, not wanting to squish that perfect patty you just formed around the cheese, but a gentle dimple with your thumb in the center will help the burger cook more evenly over the grill.
  • Skip the desire for rare (and really, unless you are grinding your own meat (we can save that conversation for another day), and go for making sure the burger is cooked through for food safety.
  • Make the burgers ahead of time and chill them. Make the slaw ahead of time (up to 2 days in advance) and chill it. Then just cook, assemble, and eat!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best cheese for a cheese-stuffed burger recipe?

I love cheddar – sharp cheddar or extra sharp cheddar. But you can also use gouda, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack (if you like it spicy), or your favorite melting cheese. Don’t use Parmesan or ricotta – they’re either too hard (and won’t melt) or too soft and will not hold shape in the burger.

Can you make burgers without eggs or breadcrumbs?

Yes! You sure can; in fact, just about every one of my burgers is made with meat and seasonings – nothing else. I am not about eggs or breadcrumbs or adding anything – unless the meat is too lean and needs a little extra something-something. And it works. Most of my burgers, cheddar stuffed or not, at home are just that blend over coals.

Can you make Cheese-Stuffed Burgers in the oven?

Yes, you can broil them in the oven, and you can also cook them in a skillet or your air fryer. 

Want more juicy gourmet burger recipe ideas? Try some of my favorites:

If you’ve tried this burger or any other recipe on GirlCarnivore.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below.
I get inspired by your feedback and comments! You can also join in on the adventures on Instagram @girlcarnivoreTwitter Facebook.

Cheese-Stuffed Burgers with Apple Slaw

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Cheddar Stuffed Apple Slaw Burger | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com
Juicy beef burgers filled with cheddar cheese, grilled to perfection and topped with a creamy apple slaw. Heck yeah. You're going to want to make these.

Ingredients  

  • 1 lbs 85% lean ground beef
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 oz Aged Cheddar Cheese

For the Slaw

  • 1/2 head cabbage shredded
  • 2 carrots shredded
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 apple julienned
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1 tbs apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tspn brown sugar

For Serving

  • 4 oz bacon fried nice and crispy
  • 2 spreadable cheese
  • 4 Whole wheat buns
  • 1 tomato sliced
  • 1/2 onion sliced
  • 2 oz green leaf lettuce

Instructions 

Make the Slaw

  • Meanwhile, Mix the cabbage, carrot, onion, dried cranberries, and apple in a large bowl.
  • Season with salt and pepper and let rest a few moments.
  • Whisk the mayo, vinegar, and brown sugar in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved. Pour over the cabbage mix and toss to coat.
  • Let sit while preparing the burgers.

Prep the Burgers

  • Season the ground beef with salt and pepper.
  • Pour Worcestershire over top and mix with your hands. Form into 8 thin patties.
  • Press a bit of the cheddar Cheese into 4 of the patties and top with the remaining for patties being sure to pinch the edges shut well.
  • Chill for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling.

Grill the Burgers

  • Pre-heat the grill for medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grate as needed.
  • Toss the patties on the grill and cook about 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. Toast the buns while you're at it.

Assemble and Serve

  • When ready to serve, spread the cheese over the top of the hot buns (it will melt a little with the warmth of the toasting) or directly onto the burgers.
  • Arrange leaf lettuce on the bottom of each bun, top with a patty, bacon, a heaping pile of slaw, and the top bun.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Make the slaw up to 2 days ahead of time to save your self some prep time. However, it does get soggier over time, so I like using it within the first 24 hours. Store in an airtight containter in the fridge. 
You could even stuff the burgers up to 24 hours ahead of grill time if desired. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 753kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 739mg | Potassium: 990mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 6679IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 239mg | Iron: 6mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Kita Roberts

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Well, Hey, Y’all.

Kita is a multi-talented individual, boasting numerous accomplishments such as being an award-winning recipe developer, world-traveled professional photographer, and journalist. As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivore®, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

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Comments

  1. Oh that looks yummy! My family’s favorite burger is a mixture of turkey and lean ground beef, salt, pepper and onion with a little prosciutto wrapped around a mozzarella ball stuffed into the middle:) yummmmmm

  2. Cheddar stuffed burgers are the bomb. com! Oh my gosh! You’ve got not idea how much I want to reach in and grab that! Ps. your photos are on point! <3

  3. I guess you will have to wait and see Friday to see what my ultimate burger combo is – Ben declared is a “Oh Hell yeah, make this again!” burger. So I think that counts as “ultimate”. 🙂 And I’m going to vote this as DEF ULTIMATE!!

  4. Stretchy pants on – let the epic burger fest commence! This is going to be one delicious month, and I’m so excited to be a part of it – thanks for bringing us together for htis. Now, pass me one of those amazing burgers.

  5. What a fantastic way to kick of Burger Month! You’ve led the charge with a real winner Kita and I know the rest of the recipes that are coming will be just as fun (if not quite as gorgeous – do you share any photography tips?)! Let’s go #BurgerMonth!