Oh yes—Patty Melts with Secret Sauce are the ultimate diner-style comfort food: juicy beef, melty cheese, caramelized onions, all sandwiched between crispy toasted bread… and that sauce? Game-changer.
Here’s the full delicious setup:
Classic Patty Melts with Secret Sauce
Serves: 4
Ready in: ~40 min
Ingredients:
For the Patty Melts:
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1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juicy patties)
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Salt & black pepper
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8 slices rye bread (or sourdough if you prefer)
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8 slices Swiss or American cheese
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1 large onion, thinly sliced
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2 tbsp butter (for the onions)
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Butter or mayo for grilling the bread
For the Secret Sauce:
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1/3 cup mayo
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1 tbsp ketchup
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1 tbsp yellow mustard
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1 tbsp sweet pickle relish (or finely chopped pickles)
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Dash of Worcestershire sauce
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Pinch of paprika or cayenne (optional for a kick)
Instructions:
1. Make the Secret Sauce:
Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Chill while everything else cooks.
2. Caramelize the Onions:
In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly (~15–20 mins), stirring often, until soft and golden brown.
3. Form and Cook the Patties:
Shape beef into 4 thin, slightly larger-than-bread patties. Season with salt and pepper. Sear in a hot skillet ~3–4 mins per side until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
4. Assemble the Melts:
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Spread secret sauce on one side of each bread slice.
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Layer: bread → cheese → patty → caramelized onions → cheese → top slice of bread (sauce side down).
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Butter or mayo the outside of each sandwich.
5. Grill ‘Em:
In a skillet or on a griddle, cook the sandwiches over medium heat until bread is golden and cheese is melted, ~3–4 mins per side.
Serving Idea:
Pair with oven fries, coleslaw, or a pickle spear for the full diner experience.
Want a spicy version of the sauce or a turkey patty melt alternative?