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–+ servings

Patty Melt with Secret Sauce

4.13 from 8 votes
Indulge in diner-style comfort food at home with this easy patty melt recipe topped with melty cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a zesty secret sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Secret Sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pickle juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Patty Melts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large onions thinly sliced
  • 12 ounces 85/15 lean ground beef
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 8 slices rye bread
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 4 Swiss cheese slices
  • 4 cheddar cheese slices

Method
 

Make the Secret Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, paprika, and garlic powder.
  2. Whisk until fully blended and set aside.
Cook the Onion and Beef
  1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions. Cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply golden brown and caramelized. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Form into four thin, oval-shaped patties.
  3. Cook the patties in the same skillet over medium heat until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Assemble and Cook the Sandwiches
  1. Spread one side of each bread slice with softened butter.
  2. Layer the bottom bread slices buttered-side down with Swiss cheese, beef patty, caramelized onions, secret sauce, cheddar cheese, and top bread slice buttered-side up.
  3. Cook in batches in the skillet over medium heat until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted, about 1-2 minutes per side.
Storage
  1. Store leftover secret sauce covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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