Patty Melt with Secret Sauce
A perfect fusion of a classic burger and a grilled cheese sandwich featuring juicy, perfectly seasoned beef patties, caramelized onions, and melted cheese between crispy, buttery slices of toasted rye bread, topped with a creamy, tangy secret sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
For the Patties
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Secret Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 tsp sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Patty Melt
- 8 slices rye bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese or cheddar for a sharper taste
- 2 medium onions thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter for sautéing onions
- 4 tbsp butter for toasting bread
Prepare the Secret Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, sweet pickle relish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth, then set aside in the refrigerator.
Caramelize the Onions
Heat 2 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes or until they are soft, golden brown, and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make the Patties
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently, being careful not to overwork the meat. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty about 1/2 inch thick.
Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are fully cooked through and nicely browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assemble the Patty Melt
Spread 1 tbsp of butter on one side of each slice of rye bread. On the unbuttered side, layer a slice of Swiss cheese, a beef patty, caramelized onions, a drizzle of secret sauce, and another slice of cheese. Top with another slice of rye bread, buttered side facing out.
Grill the Sandwiches
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches on the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, pressing down lightly with a spatula, until the bread is golden and crispy and the cheese is fully melted.
Keyword beef patty melt, grilled cheese burger, patty melt recipe, secret sauce sandwich