Delicious Patty Melts with Secret Sauce
Juicy patty melts loaded with caramelized onions, melty Swiss and cheddar cheese, and a creamy secret sauce, all grilled on buttery rye bread. Comfort food perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
These Delicious Patty Melts with Secret Sauce are the ultimate comfort food classic, combining the best parts of a juicy beef burger and a crispy grilled cheese sandwich. With caramelized onions, melty Swiss and cheddar cheese, and a creamy homemade secret sauce, this diner-style favorite is easy to make at home and guaranteed to please the whole family.
Benefits:
Easy weeknight dinner
Budget-friendly comfort food
Crispy, cheesy, and ultra-satisfying
Perfect for burger lovers
Great for family meals or casual gatherings
Ingredients:
For the Patty Melts
1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 for juicy burgers)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 large onion, thinly sliced
8 slices rye bread (or sourdough)
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices cheddar cheese
For the Creamy Secret Sauce
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp yellow mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp pickle relish (or finely chopped pickles)
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp paprika
Instructions:
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pickle relish, garlic powder, and paprika. Refrigerate while you prepare the rest—this helps the flavors blend beautifully.
Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little butter. Add sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until soft, golden, and caramelized (about 15–20 minutes). Remove and set aside.
Shape the ground beef into 4 thin oval patties, slightly larger than the bread slices. Season with salt and pepper. Cook in the same skillet over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
Butter one side of each bread slice. Place 4 slices butter-side down. Spread secret sauce on the unbuttered side, then layer Swiss cheese, beef patty, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and top with remaining bread (butter side out).
Cook sandwiches over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is crispy and golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Rest for 1 minute, slice in half, and serve hot.
Storage Tips:
Patty melts are best fresh, but leftovers can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat to keep the bread crispy.
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