Patty Melts with Secret Sauce
Comforting patty melts layered with caramelized onions, melty cheese, and a tangy secret sauce on crispy bread.
Ingredients
For the Patties
- 1 lb 1 lb ground beef (80/20) 80/20 ground beef works best
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Onions
- 2 medium 2 medium yellow onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp unsalted butter For caramelizing onions
- 1 tsp 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch Pinch of salt
For the Secret Sauce
- ½ cup ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp finely diced pickles (or relish)
- ½ tsp ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ½ tsp garlic powder
For Assembly
- 8 slices 8 slices rye bread (or sourdough if you prefer)
- 8 slices 8 slices Swiss cheese (or cheddar for variation)
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp butter (softened for spreading on bread) For grilling the sandwiches
Instructions
Make the Caramelized Onions
- Melt butter with olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until golden brown and caramelized, about 12–15 minutes.
- Stir until glossy and edges are sweet and soft. Remove from heat and set aside.
Mix and Cook the Patties
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Divide into 4 thin patties, roughly the shape of your bread slices.
- Cook in a skillet over medium-high heat, 3–4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
- Transfer to a plate to rest.
Make the Secret Sauce
- Stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickles, paprika, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Taste for balance and adjust ingredients if necessary.
Assemble the Patty Melts
- Spread butter on one side of each bread slice.
- On the unbuttered side, layer in the following order: bread → slice of cheese → beef patty → caramelized onions → spoonful of secret sauce → slice of cheese → bread.
- Press the layers gently so the sandwich sits together and will grill evenly.
Grill the Sandwiches
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Cook sandwiches for 2–3 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Press gently with a spatula to help them meld together.
Rest and Serve
- Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board and let them rest for a minute.
- Cut in half on the diagonal for easy holding and serve warm with extra secret sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
Use fresh butter for the best crust. For a cozy spice, add more smoked paprika in the sauce. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 1100mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!