Go Back

The Best Patty Melt with Secret Sauce

A classic diner-style patty melt featuring a juicy beef patty, sweet caramelized onions, melted cheese, and a tangy secret sauce, all toasted between crispy slices of bread.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 850

Ingredients
  

Caramelized Onions
  • 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt
Secret Sauce
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Patties and Assembly
  • 1 lb 80/20 ground beef chuck
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 8 slices rye bread or sourdough
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter for grilling

Equipment

  • Cast iron skillet
  • Spatula
  • Mixing bowls
  • Knife and Cutting Board

Method
 

  1. In a heavy skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Reduce heat to medium-low, add salt, and cook for 30-40 minutes until deeply caramelized and jammy. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Divide ground beef into four equal portions. Shape into oval patties to match the bread shape. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  4. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef patties for 3-4 minutes per side until a brown crust forms and desired doneness is reached. Set patties aside to rest. Wipe out excess grease.
  5. Spread secret sauce on 4 slices of bread. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese, a cooked patty, a scoop of caramelized onions, and a slice of cheddar cheese. Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top.
  6. Butter the outside of the sandwiches. Cook in the skillet over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes per side, gently pressing with a spatula, until the bread is golden and crispy and the cheeses are completely melted.
  7. Remove from skillet, slice in half diagonally, and serve hot.

Notes

You can substitute butter with mayonnaise for grilling the bread to achieve an extra crispy, even crust.