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:
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Classic diner taste: Enjoy a nostalgic flavor at home.
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Quick & Easy: Ready in less than an hour.
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Crowd pleaser: Perfect for dinner or entertaining guests.
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Customizable: Easy to adapt with your favorite cheeses or toppings.
Ingredients:
For the Patty Melts:
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1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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8 slices rye bread (or sourdough/Texas toast)
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8 slices Swiss cheese (or cheddar, provolone, etc.)
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2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
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4 tablespoons butter, divided
Optional Toppings:
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Lettuce, tomato slices, pickles
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Additional condiments (mustard, ketchup)
Secret Sauce Ingredients:
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¼ cup mayonnaise
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2 tablespoons ketchup
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1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Equipment Needed:
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Large skillet or cast-iron pan
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Spatula
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Sharp knife
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Cutting board
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Small mixing bowl
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Secret Sauce
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In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, onion powder, and hot sauce until well combined.
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Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let flavors meld.
Step 2: Prepare the Patties
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Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions.
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Shape gently into flat patties slightly larger than your bread slices.
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Season each patty with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Cook the Beef Patties
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Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Cook patties about 4–5 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through.
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Set cooked patties aside on a plate.
Step 4: Caramelize the Onions
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Melt remaining butter in the same skillet over medium-low heat.
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Add sliced onions and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized.
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Remove onions from pan; set aside.
Step 5: Assemble the Patty Melts
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Wipe the skillet clean.
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Lay out 4 bread slices. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese, a cooked beef patty, caramelized onions, and another cheese slice.
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Spread secret sauce generously on the top bread slice, then sandwich together.
Step 6: Grill the Sandwiches
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Return assembled sandwiches to the skillet over medium heat.
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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!
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Allow patty melts to rest briefly, then slice diagonally.
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Serve hot with fries, pickles, or your favorite sides.
Helpful Tips:
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Bread Choice: Classic rye bread offers authentic flavor, but sourdough or Texas toast can add delightful variations.
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Prepping Ahead: Caramelized onions and secret sauce can be prepared up to one day ahead for quick assembly.
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Cast-Iron Pan: Using a cast-iron skillet enhances flavor and creates the perfect crisp.
How to Store and Reheat:
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Refrigerator: Store leftover patty melts wrapped tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or air fryer at 350°F until crisp again.
Ultimate Patty Melts with Secret Sauce
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- 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.