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Patty Melt with Secret Sauce Recipe

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This Patty Melt brings together juicy beef patties, gooey melted cheese, and sweet caramelized onions, all tucked between golden, buttery toasted bread. The real star is the secret sauce—a rich, tangy blend that elevates this classic to new heights. Every bite is packed with irresistible flavor!

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2 patty melts 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Patty Melt:

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for best juiciness)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 4 slices rye bread (or sourdough for a twist)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for toasting)
  • ½ cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup caramelized onions (see recipe below)

For the Special Sauce:

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped pickles or pickle relish
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ⅛ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Caramelized Onions:

  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Make the Caramelized Onions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and stir occasionally.
  2. Sprinkle with sugar, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for 15–20 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions turn deep golden brown and soft. Set aside.

Prepare the Special Sauce:

  1. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, ketchup, chopped pickles, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and refrigerate until needed.

Cook the Patties:

  1. Divide ground beef into four equal portions and shape into thin patties slightly larger than the bread slices.
  2. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and cook patties for 3–4 minutes per side, or until they reach desired doneness. Transfer to a plate.

Assemble the Patty Melts:

  1. Butter one side of each rye bread slice.
  2. On the unbuttered side of two slices, spread a generous amount of special sauce.
  3. Place a cooked patty on each, followed by a mix of Swiss and cheddar cheese.
  4. Add a layer of caramelized onions and top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.

Toast the Sandwiches:

  1. Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place assembled sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula.
  2. Flip carefully and continue cooking until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.

Serve & Enjoy:

  1. Remove from heat, slice in half, and serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as fries or a simple salad.

Notes

  • For extra depth of flavor, add a dash of onion powder or garlic powder to the patties.
  • For a leaner option, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
  • For a richer taste, try using a mix of Gruyère and cheddar instead of Swiss and American cheese.
  • If you don’t have rye bread, sourdough or Texas toast makes a great alternative.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://101dietrecipes.com/patty-melt-with-secret-sauce-recipe/