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The Best Patty Melt Recipe with Secret Sauce – A Flavor Explosion

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Juicy beef patties, melty Swiss and American cheese, and caramelized onions sandwiched between buttery toasted rye bread with a tangy secret sauce for the ultimate flavor explosion.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2 patty melts 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 slices rye bread
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded American cheese
  • 1/2 cup caramelized onions
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp pickle relish
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare caramelized onions: heat olive oil over medium, cook sliced onion with sugar, salt, and pepper 10–15 minutes until golden. Set aside.
  2. Make secret sauce: mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, ketchup, pickle relish, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Form ground beef into 4 patties, season with salt and pepper, and cook in skillet or grill pan 4–5 minutes per side to desired doneness.
  4. Butter one side of each rye slice. Spread secret sauce on non-buttered side of 2 slices.
  5. Assemble patty melts: patty on bread, layer Swiss and American cheese, caramelized onions, and top with remaining bread, buttered side up.
  6. Toast sandwiches in skillet or griddle 3–4 minutes per side, pressing lightly, until golden and cheese melts.
  7. Remove, slice, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Optional: sprinkle garlic or onion powder on patties for extra flavor.
  • Substitute ground turkey or chicken for leaner option.
  • Rye is classic, but other bread types can be used.
  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling, Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 patty melt
  • Calories: 570
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 950 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg