Patty Melts with Secret Sauce Recipe
These Patty Melts with Secret Sauce are a delicious twist on the classic sandwich, featuring juicy ground beef patties, caramelized onions, melted Swiss and cheddar cheese, all grilled between buttery rye bread slices. The homemade secret sauce, made with mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, and Worcestershire sauce, adds a tangy and savory flavor that perfectly complements the rich and hearty sandwich. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or casual dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Patty Melts
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 8 slices rye bread
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- Butter, for grilling
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Secret Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well until smooth and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until they become soft, golden, and caramelized. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Shape and Season the Patties: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and form each into thin patties. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Cook the Patties: Using the same skillet, cook the beef patties over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are fully cooked through and nicely browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Assemble the Patty Melts: Butter one side of each slice of rye bread. Place 4 slices of bread, butter-side down, on a clean skillet or griddle heated to medium. On each slice, layer a slice of Swiss cheese, a cooked beef patty, caramelized onions, and a slice of cheddar cheese. Top each with another slice of rye bread, butter-side up.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Cook the assembled sandwiches for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the bread turns golden brown and crispy, and the cheeses melt thoroughly.
- Serve: Remove the patty melts from the skillet and let them rest for a minute. Slice in half and serve immediately with the secret sauce either on the side for dipping or drizzled over the top.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture before shaping the patties.
- If you want a spicier sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the secret sauce.
- Caramelizing onions takes time but adds deep sweetness; do not rush this step.
- Use fresh rye bread for the best texture and flavor; avoid pre-sliced sandwich bread for authenticity.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the sandwich while it’s warm and melty.
Keywords: Patty melts, secret sauce, caramelized onions, rye bread sandwich, ground beef sandwich, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, grilled sandwich
