Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

Here’s a classic Patty Melt recipe — golden, buttery rye bread, a juicy beef patty, melted cheese, caramelized onions, and a creamy “secret sauce” that ties it all together. 🍔🧅🧀

🧡 Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

Ingredients:

For the Sandwiches:

1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp butter + more for grilling
8 slices rye or sourdough bread
8 slices Swiss or American cheese

For the Secret Sauce:

1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp finely chopped pickles (or relish)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Pinch of paprika or smoked paprika

🧑‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Make the Secret Sauce:

In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.
Taste and adjust—add more ketchup for sweetness, mustard for tang, or hot sauce for heat.
Refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Caramelize the Onions:

In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter.
Add sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring often, for 15–20 minutes, until golden and caramelized.
Season lightly with salt, then set aside.

3. Cook the Patties:

Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape into thin oval patties (about the size of your bread slices).
Season both sides with salt and pepper.
In a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, cook patties for 3–4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
Set aside on a plate.

4. Assemble the Patty Melts:

Spread secret sauce on one side of each bread slice.
Layer as follows:
1. Bread slice (sauce side in)
2. Cheese
3. Beef patty
4. Caramelized onions
5. Another slice of cheese
6. Top slice of bread (sauce side in)

5. Grill the Sandwiches:

Butter the outer sides of the bread.
Grill on a skillet or griddle over medium heat, pressing gently, for 3–4 minutes per side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

6. Serve:

Slice in half and serve warm with fries, pickles, or a small salad.
Extra sauce is great for dipping!

🔥 Tips:

Rye bread gives the most authentic flavor, but sourdough works great too.
Try gruyère or sharp cheddar for a more gourmet twist.
You can make the onions and sauce a day ahead to save time.

Would you like me to give you a spicy version of the secret sauce (like a smoky chipotle mayo or a tangy burger sauce)?