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Patty Melt with Secret Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 78 reviews

This Patty Melt recipe features juicy, seasoned ground beef patties topped with caramelized onions, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, and a tangy secret sauce, all sandwiched between buttery rye bread and grilled to golden perfection. It’s a classic diner-style sandwich elevated with a flavorful homemade sauce and perfectly caramelized onions, ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Secret Sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pickle juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Caramelized Onions

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Beef Patties

  • 12 ounces 85/15 ground beef
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Assembly & Grilling

  • 8 slices rye bread
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 Swiss cheese slices
  • 4 cheddar cheese slices

Instructions

  1. Prepare Secret Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, dijon mustard, pickle juice, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth. Set aside to let the flavors meld while you prepare the rest.
  2. Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until they soften and turn a deep golden brown. This process should take about 30 minutes or more. If the onions start to dry out or look like they might burn, add a splash of water to the pan and reduce the heat slightly. Once caramelized, remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Form and Cook Patties: In a bowl, mix ground beef with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce until just combined. Shape the mixture into four thin, oblong patties, matching the shape of your bread for even sandwich assembly. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the patties until they are browned on both sides and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from heat and wipe excess grease from the pan.
  4. Assemble Patty Melts: Butter one side of each slice of rye bread. Heat the skillet over medium heat. Place one slice of bread (buttered side down) in the skillet, then layer a slice of Swiss cheese, one beef patty, a generous portion of caramelized onions, a spread of secret sauce, a slice of cheddar cheese, and finally top with another slice of bread (buttered side up).
  5. Grill Sandwiches: Cook the assembled sandwiches for 1-2 minutes on the first side until the bread is golden brown. Carefully flip the sandwiches and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the opposite side is also golden and the cheese has melted. Remove from skillet and serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Notes

  • If onions caramelize too quickly, reduce heat to avoid burning.
  • Add water as needed when caramelizing onions to prevent drying.
  • Shape patties to match the size and shape of the bread slices for even cooking and assembly.
  • Use a mix of Swiss and cheddar cheese for balanced flavor and good meltability.
  • Butter the bread generously for a crispy, golden grilled exterior.

Keywords: patty melt, caramelized onions, secret sauce, ground beef sandwich, rye bread sandwich, American diner sandwich

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/patty-melt-with-secret-sauce-recipe/