The Ultimate Patty Melt with Secret Sauce Recipe
The Ultimate Patty Melt with Secret Sauce is a classic American comfort food featuring juicy seasoned beef patties, caramelized onions, melty Swiss and sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy homemade secret sauce, all sandwiched between buttery rye bread grilled to golden perfection. This recipe highlights a delicate balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors with a rich, melty texture that will satisfy any burger lover’s cravings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Secret Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Caramelized Onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
Beef Patties
- 12 ounces ground beef (85/15)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Assembly
- 8 slices rye bread
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Make the secret sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, pickle juice, paprika, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Caramelize the onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally for 25-30 minutes until the onions are golden brown, jammy, and sweet.
- Form and season beef patties: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape into thin patties slightly larger than the bread slices. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook the beef patties: Remove caramelized onions from the skillet and set aside. Increase heat to medium-high and cook patties for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Butter the bread: Generously butter one side of each slice of rye bread; these will be the exterior sides for grilling.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread secret sauce on the unbuttered side of 4 bread slices. Layer with Swiss cheese, a beef patty, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and top with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.
- Grill the patty melts: Cook sandwiches in the same skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula until the bread is golden brown and cheese is melted. Cover the pan in the last minute of cooking to ensure the cheese melts completely.
- Rest and serve: Let the patty melts rest for 2 minutes before cutting diagonally to allow the cheese to set and prevent sliding.
Notes
- Patience is key for perfectly caramelized onions; low and slow cooking brings out their natural sweetness.
- Using a skillet for both caramelizing onions and grilling keeps flavors concentrated.
- Butter the bread generously to ensure a crispy, golden crust during grilling.
- Covering the pan at the end helps melt the cheese thoroughly without burning the bread.
- Resting the sandwiches before serving helps maintain structure and flavor.
Keywords: Patty Melt, Secret Sauce, Caramelized Onions, Rye Bread Sandwich, Comfort Food, American Sandwich, Beef Patty, Grilled Sandwich
