Ultimate Patty Melt with Secret Sauce

Ingredients

For the Sandwich:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 slices of rye bread
• 8 slices of Swiss cheese

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 4 tbsp butter, plus more for spreading
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Secret Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp relish
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Make the Secret Sauce: Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.

1. Caramelize Onions: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook until caramelized (10-15 minutes). Transfer to a plate.

1. Form and Cook Patties: Shape ground beef into 4 patties, slightly larger than the bread slices. Season with salt and pepper. Cook in the skillet for about 4 minutes per side (or to desired doneness). Set aside.

1. Assemble Sandwiches: Butter one side of each bread slice. Spread secret sauce on the non-buttered side of 4 slices. Layer with cheese, a patty, caramelized onions, another slice of cheese, and the remaining bread slices (buttered side up).

1. Grill Sandwiches: In a clean skillet over medium heat, grill the sandwiches until golden brown and the cheese is melted (3-4 minutes per side).

Tips for the Perfect Patty Melt

1. Choose Quality Ingredients:

• Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy, flavorful patties.
• Opt for fresh rye bread and good-quality Swiss cheese for the best taste.

1. Caramelize Onions Slowly:

• Cook the onions low and slow to bring out their natural sweetness. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

1. Don’t Overwork the Patties:

• Handle the ground beef gently when forming patties to keep them tender.

1. Butter the Bread Generously:

• Buttering the bread ensures a crispy, golden crust when grilling.

1. Press the Sandwich Lightly:

• Use a spatula to press the sandwich lightly while grilling to help the layers meld together.

1. Adjust the Secret Sauce:

• Add a dash of hot sauce or smoked paprika for a spicy or smoky kick.

Variations

1. Turkey Patty Melt:

• Replace ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter option.

1. Vegetarian Patty Melt:

• Use a plant-based patty (like Beyond Meat) and vegan cheese for a meat-free version.

1. Spicy Patty Melt:

• Add sliced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the sandwich.

1. Mushroom Patty Melt:

• Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions for an earthy, umami flavor.

1. BBQ Patty Melt:

• Replace the secret sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce.

1. Cheese Variations:

• Swap Swiss cheese for cheddar, pepper jack, or provolone.

1. Bacon Patty Melt:

• Add crispy bacon slices to the sandwich for extra richness.

1. Open-Faced Patty Melt:

• Skip the top slice of bread and broil the sandwich for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

How to Store

1. Refrigerating:

• Store assembled but uncooked sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Grill just before serving.

• Store leftover cooked sandwiches in the fridge for up to 2 days.

1. Freezing:

• Wrap uncooked sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month.

• Thaw in the fridge overnight before grilling.

1. Reheating:

• Reheat cooked sandwiches in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and crispy.

• Alternatively, use a toaster oven or air fryer to reheat for a few minutes.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with pickles, potato chips, or a side salad for a complete meal.
• Pair with a cold beer or a glass of red wine for a hearty dinner.

This Rye Bread Patty Melt is a delicious, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Let me know if you’d like more tips or variations!