Ultimate Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

Ultimate Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

Craving the comfort of a juicy cheeseburger combined with the golden crispiness of grilled cheese? This Ultimate Patty Melt Recipe is your ticket to diner-style perfection at home. Imagine savory beef patties layered with caramelized onions, gooey Swiss cheese, and toasted rye bread—slathered with a creamy, tangy secret sauce. It’s the ideal comfort-food meal for any night of the week!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Classic diner taste: Enjoy a nostalgic flavor at home.

• Quick & Easy: Ready in less than an hour.

• Crowd pleaser: Perfect for dinner or entertaining guests.

• Customizable: Easy to adapt with your favorite cheeses or toppings.

 Ingredients:

For the Patty Melts:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 8 slices rye bread (or sourdough/Texas toast)

• 8 slices Swiss cheese (or cheddar, provolone, etc.)

• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

• 4 tablespoons butter, divided

Optional Toppings:

• Lettuce, tomato slices, pickles

• Additional condiments (mustard, ketchup)

 Secret Sauce Ingredients:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons ketchup

• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• Dash of hot sauce (optional)

 Equipment Needed:

• Large skillet or cast-iron pan

• Spatula

• Sharp knife

• Cutting board

• Small mixing bowl

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Secret Sauce

• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, onion powder, and hot sauce until well combined.

• Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let flavors meld.

Step 2: Prepare the Patties

• Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions.

• Shape gently into flat patties slightly larger than your bread slices.

• Season each patty with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Cook the Beef Patties

• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Cook patties about 4–5 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through.

• Set cooked patties aside on a plate.

Step 4: Caramelize the Onions

• Melt remaining butter in the same skillet over medium-low heat.

• Add sliced onions and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized.

• Remove onions from pan; set aside.

Step 5: Assemble the Patty Melts

• Wipe the skillet clean.

• Lay out 4 bread slices. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese, a cooked beef patty, caramelized onions, and another cheese slice.

• Spread secret sauce generously on the top bread slice, then sandwich together.

Step 6: Grill the Sandwiches

• Return assembled sandwiches to the skillet over medium heat.

• Cook 2–3 minutes per side, pressing lightly, until bread is golden and cheese melts completely. Cook in batches if needed.

Step 7: Serve & Enjoy!

• Allow patty melts to rest briefly, then slice diagonally.

• Serve hot with fries, pickles, or your favorite sides.

 Helpful Tips:

• Bread Choice: Classic rye bread offers authentic flavor, but sourdough or Texas toast can add delightful variations.

• Prepping Ahead: Caramelized onions and secret sauce can be prepared up to one day ahead for quick assembly.

• Cast-Iron Pan: Using a cast-iron skillet enhances flavor and creates the perfect crisp.

 How to Store and Reheat:

• Refrigerator: Store leftover patty melts wrapped tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or air fryer at 350°F until crisp again.

Ultimate Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

This Ultimate Patty Melt Recipe is your ticket to diner-style perfection at home. Imagine savory beef patties layered with caramelized onions, gooey Swiss cheese, and toasted rye bread—slathered with a creamy, tangy secret sauce.

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Equipment

• spatula
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Small mixing bowl

Ingredients

  

Patty Melts:

• - 1 lb ground beef 80/20
• - Salt and pepper to taste
• - 8 slices rye bread or sourdough/Texas toast
• - 8 slices Swiss cheese
• - 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
• - 4 tbsp butter divided

Secret Sauce:

• - ¼ cup mayonnaise
• - 2 tbsp ketchup
• - 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• - ½ tsp garlic powder
• - ½ tsp onion powder
• - Dash hot sauce optional

Instructions

 

• Mix secret sauce ingredients; refrigerate 15 min.
• Form beef into 4 patties; season with salt and pepper.
• Cook patties in buttered skillet until browned; remove.
• Caramelize onions in remaining butter until golden.
• Assemble sandwiches: bread, cheese, patty, onions, sauce, top bread slice.
• Grill sandwiches until golden and cheese melts.
• Serve warm with favorite sides.