Description
This Classic Patty Melt Burger with Secret Sauce is a delicious diner-style sandwich featuring juicy seasoned beef patties, melted Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and a tangy homemade secret sauce, all grilled to golden perfection on rye bread. Perfect for a hearty main course, this recipe balances savory flavors and textures for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burger and Sandwich
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 4 slices rye bread
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Secret Sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Make the Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir the ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and well blended, then set aside for later use.
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until the onions become soft, caramelized, and golden brown. Season lightly with salt and then remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Shape and Season Patties: Divide the ground beef into two equal portions and shape each into an oval patty roughly matching the size and shape of the rye bread slices. Season both sides with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor of the beef.
- Cook the Beef Patties: Using the same skillet, increase heat to medium-high and cook the patties for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until fully cooked through and browned on the outside. Once done, wipe the skillet clean to prepare for grilling the sandwiches.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out the rye bread slices and spread a generous amount of secret sauce on each slice. Start layering by placing a slice of Swiss cheese on one slice of bread, followed by a cooked beef patty, a portion of caramelized onions, another slice of Swiss cheese, and then top with the second slice of bread.
- Grill the Patty Melts: Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and grill each side for 3 to 4 minutes until the bread becomes golden brown and crispy and the cheese inside melts beautifully. Press down lightly if desired to compact the sandwich slightly.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and serve them hot to enjoy the perfect combination of crispy bread, gooey cheese, savory beef, and sweet onions complemented by the flavorful secret sauce.
Notes
- Swiss cheese can be substituted with American or cheddar cheese according to preference.
- For extra crunch and grill marks, use a cast iron pan and press the sandwich down slightly to mimic a panini press effect.
- The secret sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making meal prep easier.
