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Patty Melts with Secret Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 102 reviews

These classic Patty Melts feature juicy, flavorful beef patties seasoned with Worcestershire and smoked paprika, topped with sweet caramelized onions, melted Swiss cheese, and a tangy secret sauce, all sandwiched between buttery, crispy rye bread. This comforting sandwich is pan-grilled to golden perfection, making it an indulgent and satisfying meal perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Patties:

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Onions:

  • 2 medium yellow onions (thinly sliced)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • Pinch of salt

For the Secret Sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp finely diced pickles (or relish)
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

For Assembly:

  • 8 slices rye bread (or sourdough if you prefer)
  • 8 slices Swiss cheese (or cheddar for variation)
  • 2 tbsp butter (softened for spreading on bread)

Instructions

  1. Make the Caramelized Onions: In a skillet, melt the unsalted butter along with olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and a pinch of salt. Cook the onions, stirring often, until they become golden brown and caramelized, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Mix and Cook the Patties: In a bowl, mix the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Divide the mixture into four thin patties, each roughly the size and shape of the bread slices you’ll be using. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until browned and fully cooked through. Transfer the patties to a plate and keep warm.
  3. Make the Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, finely diced pickles (or relish), smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Stir well until the sauce is smooth and flavors are well blended. Set aside.
  4. Assemble the Patty Melts: Spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side, build the sandwich layers in this order: bread slice, slice of Swiss cheese, cooked beef patty, caramelized onions, a spoonful of secret sauce, another slice of Swiss cheese, and finally the second bread slice, buttered side facing out.
  5. Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside has melted. Gently press the sandwiches with a spatula as they cook to help meld the layers together. Remove from heat, slice if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use rye bread for the authentic patty melt experience, but sourdough works well as a substitute.
  • For variation, swap Swiss cheese with cheddar or your favorite melting cheese.
  • Make sure the patties are thin enough to match the bread shape for easy assembly and even cooking.
  • Caramelizing onions requires patience but adds a rich sweetness that balances the savory beef and tangy sauce.
  • The secret sauce can be adjusted to taste by adding more mustard or pickles for extra tang.
  • Pressing the sandwich gently while grilling helps achieve a uniform melt and compact sandwich.

Keywords: patty melts, caramelized onions, secret sauce, ground beef sandwich, toasted rye bread, melted Swiss cheese, classic American sandwich, skillet grilled sandwich

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/patty-melts-with-secret-sauce-recipe/