Ultimate Patty Melt with Secret Sauce

Here’s the Ultimate Patty Melt recipe with perfectly grilled bread, a juicy beef patty, caramelized onions, gooey cheese—and an irresistible secret sauce that brings it all together. Think of it as a cross between a burger and a grilled cheese, with diner-style flavor that hits every craving.

🍔 Ultimate Patty Melt with Secret Sauce

🥩 Ingredients (Serves 2):

For the Patty Melts:

1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juicy flavor)
Salt & pepper, to taste
4 slices rye bread (or sourdough, if preferred)
4 slices Swiss cheese (or a mix of Swiss and cheddar)
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter, divided
1 tbsp olive oil (for onions)
Optional: pinch of garlic powder on patties or bread

🥫 Secret Sauce:

¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp pickle relish (or finely chopped dill pickles)
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
Pinch of garlic powder and black pepper

👉 Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Taste and adjust. Let it chill in the fridge while you cook for best flavor.

🔥 Instructions:

1. Caramelize the Onions

In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp butter with olive oil.
Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook low and slow, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown (about 15–20 minutes). Set aside.

2. Form and Cook the Patties

Divide beef into 2 large thin patties, roughly the shape of your bread (they shrink).
Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Cook in a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, 3–4 minutes per side, until nicely seared and cooked through. Set aside to rest.

3. Assemble the Patty Melts

Lay out the bread. Spread secret sauce on one side of each slice.
On two slices, layer in this order: cheese, cooked patty, caramelized onions, another slice of cheese.
Top with remaining bread slices, sauce-side down.

4. Grill the Sandwich

In a clean skillet or griddle, melt the remaining 1 tbsp butter over medium heat.
Grill the sandwiches 3–4 minutes per side, pressing slightly, until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese is melted.

🍟 Serve With:

Crispy fries, onion rings, or potato chips
Pickles or a crunchy coleslaw

✅ Tips:

Use thin patties so they don’t overpower the melt.
Press down with a spatula or a heavy pan while grilling for a classic diner-style crust.
Make extra sauce—it’s amazing as a dip for fries or spread on sandwiches.

Want to make it spicier or add bacon or mushrooms? I can give you a custom variation!