Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

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Here’s a recipe for Patty Melts with Secret Sauce, combining juicy beef patties, caramelized onions, and melted cheese between toasted bread, along with a flavorful homemade sauce.

Ingredients:

For the Patty Melts:

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend is best)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 8 slices rye bread (or sourdough)
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese (or American cheese, depending on preference)
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter (for toasting the bread)

For the Secret Sauce:

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Secret Sauce:

  • In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, pickle relish, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and white vinegar.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir until well combined and set aside in the fridge to chill while you prepare the patty melts.

2. Caramelize the Onions:

  • In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
  • Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until the onions are golden and caramelized. Reduce the heat if the onions start to brown too quickly. Set aside once done.

3. Cook the Beef Patties:

  • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.
  • Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into thin patties (they should be roughly the size of your bread slices).
  • In the same skillet you used for the onions, cook the patties over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. Set the cooked patties aside.

4. Assemble the Patty Melts:

  • Butter one side of each slice of rye bread.
  • Spread a generous amount of the secret sauce on the unbuttered side of 4 slices of bread.
  • Layer each with a slice of cheddar cheese, a beef patty, caramelized onions, a slice of Swiss cheese, and top with another slice of bread (buttered side facing out).

5. Cook the Patty Melts:

  • Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  • Place the assembled sandwiches on the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted.

6. Serve:

  • Slice the patty melts in half and serve hot with more secret sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes:

  • You can customize the cheeses depending on your taste, but Swiss and cheddar provide a great flavor combination.
  • Rye bread gives the patty melt a classic diner feel, but you can use sourdough or any sturdy bread you like.

Enjoy your juicy Patty Melts with Secret Sauce!