Description
Classic Patty Melts with a twist of secret sauce, featuring juicy ground beef patties seasoned with smoked paprika and Worcestershire sauce, caramelized sweet onions, Swiss cheese, and a flavorful homemade sauce, all grilled perfectly between slices of rye bread for a deliciously melty sandwich experience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Patties:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 works best)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Onions:
- 2 medium yellow onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt
For the Secret Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp finely diced pickles (or relish)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For Assembly:
- 8 slices rye bread (or sourdough if you prefer)
- 8 slices Swiss cheese (or cheddar for variation)
- 2 tbsp butter (softened, for spreading on bread)
Instructions
- Make the Caramelized Onions: In a skillet, melt the unsalted butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onions turn golden brown and caramelized, about 12–15 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix and Cook the Patties: In a bowl, combine ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Divide the mixture into 4 thin patties roughly the size and shape of your bread slices. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties for 3–4 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Transfer the patties to a plate and keep warm.
- Make the Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, finely diced pickles (or relish), smoked paprika, and garlic powder until smooth. Set the sauce aside.
- Assemble the Patty Melts: Spread softened butter on one side of each slice of rye bread. On the unbuttered side, layer the sandwich in this order: bread, slice of Swiss cheese, cooked beef patty, caramelized onions, a spoonful of secret sauce, another slice of Swiss cheese, and top with the remaining bread slice, buttered side out.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the assembled sandwiches on the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula to help the sandwich meld together. Continue until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted thoroughly. Remove from the skillet and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute rye bread with sourdough or your preferred bread for a different flavor.
- Cheddar cheese can be used instead of Swiss for a sharper taste.
- Make sure not to overmix the ground beef to keep patties tender.
- Pressing the sandwich lightly while grilling helps melt the cheese and blend flavors.
- Caramelized onions can be made ahead of time and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
