Here’s a diner-style favorite — Patty Melt with Secret Sauce 🍔🧅🧀
It’s melty, juicy, buttery, and loaded with caramelized onions and a tangy, creamy secret sauce. Perfect comfort food!
🌟 Patty Melt with Secret Sauce
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
🧅 Ingredients
For the Patty Melts:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for best flavor)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 8 slices rye bread (or sourdough or Texas toast)
- 8 slices Swiss or American cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, softened (for grilling bread)
- Optional: a dash of Worcestershire sauce for the patties
🔥 For the Secret Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tsp pickle relish (sweet or dill)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional but adds great flavor)
Mix all sauce ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.
🍳 Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions:
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt a little butter.
- Add sliced onions and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and soft.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper, then set aside.
- Form & Cook Patties:
- Shape beef into 4 thin, wide patties (about the size of your bread).
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Cook in a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
- Add a slice of cheese on each patty and let melt slightly.
- Assemble the Melts:
- Spread secret sauce on the inside of each bread slice.
- Layer one slice of cheese, a burger patty with onions, and top with another slice of bread.
- Grill the Sandwich:
- Butter the outsides of the bread.
- Cook on a griddle or skillet over medium heat, 2–3 minutes per side, until the bread is golden and crisp and cheese is melted.
❤️ Serve With:
- Crispy fries or onion rings
- Extra secret sauce for dipping
- Pickles on the side
💡 Tips:
- Use gruyère, cheddar, or pepper jack for a flavor twist.
- Add caramelized mushrooms or bacon for an upgrade.
- The secret sauce also works perfectly for burgers, fries, or sandwiches!
