Description
These Patty Melts with Secret Sauce are the ultimate comfort sandwich—featuring buttery grilled bread, gooey cheese, caramelized onions, and juicy seasoned beef layered with a tangy secret sauce. They’re crisp, savory, slightly sweet, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or a weekend treat.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese
8 slices rye bread or sourdough
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon pickle brine or relish
Instructions
1. Slice onions thinly and caramelize in 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and soft.
2. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle brine or relish to create the secret sauce. Set aside.
3. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Season with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Break into crumbles and drain excess grease.
4. Butter one side of each bread slice. On the opposite side, spread secret sauce.
5. Assemble each sandwich: one slice of bread (butter side down), cheese, beef, caramelized onions, more cheese, and top with another sauced slice (butter side up).
6. Grill in a skillet or griddle over medium heat, pressing gently, for 3–4 minutes per side until bread is golden and cheese is melted. Serve hot.
Notes
Don’t rush the onions: Properly caramelized onions take time but bring deep sweetness that’s key to balancing the richness of the beef and cheese.
Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-sliced works, but fresh cheese melts smoother and creamier.
Grill low and slow: Medium heat ensures the bread gets crispy without burning while the cheese melts fully inside.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 810mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 95mg