Description
Classic Patty Melts with a twist of tangy secret sauce. This recipe features juicy ground beef patties layered with Swiss and cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and sandwiched between buttery rye bread. Perfectly grilled until golden and crispy, served with a flavorful mayonnaise-based secret sauce for added zest.
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
- 4 tbsp butter, for grilling
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Secret Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well until fully blended, then 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, until they turn golden brown and caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Form and Season Patties: Divide the ground beef into four thin patties, making them slightly larger than the rye bread slices to account for shrinkage during cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the Patties: Using the same skillet, cook the beef patties over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until fully cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Butter one side of each slice of rye bread. Place four slices butter-side down on a clean skillet or griddle heated over medium heat. On each slice, layer one slice Swiss cheese, one beef patty, a generous portion of caramelized onions, and one slice of cheddar cheese. Top each with another slice of rye bread, butter-side up.
- Grill the Patty Melts: Cook the assembled sandwiches in the skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted. Press slightly with a spatula to help meld the layers.
- Serve: Remove sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for 1 minute. Slice each sandwich in half and serve with the secret sauce either on the side for dipping or drizzled on top.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika to the beef patties.
- Use good quality rye bread for authentic taste and texture.
- Caramelizing onions takes time but adds deep flavor—avoid rushing this step.
- You can add pickles inside the sandwich for crunch if desired.
- The secret sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
