Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

Here’s a classic Patty Melt with a crave-worthy secret sauce—crispy bread, juicy beef, melty cheese, and that diner-style flavor 😋

Ingredients

Patty Melts

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• Salt & black pepper
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 8 slices rye bread (or sourdough)
• 4 tbsp butter, softened
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 4 slices cheddar cheese

Secret Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne

Instructions

1. Caramelize the onions
   Cook onions in a skillet over medium-low heat with a little butter or oil until deep golden and sweet. Set aside.
2. Make the patties
   Divide beef into 4 thin oval patties. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the patties
   In the same skillet, cook patties over medium-high heat 2–3 minutes per side. Remove.
4. Mix the secret sauce
   Stir all sauce ingredients together. Chill if time allows (flavor improves).
5. Assemble
   Butter one side of each bread slice.
   On the unbuttered side, layer Swiss cheese, patty, caramelized onions, cheddar, and sauce. Top with bread (buttered side out).
6. Grill
   Cook sandwiches in a skillet or griddle over medium heat until bread is golden and cheese is melted, about 3–4 minutes per side.

Tips for the Best Patty Melt

• Press gently with a spatula for even browning.
• Rye bread gives classic diner flavor, but Texas toast works too.
• Cover pan briefly to help cheese melt.

Serve With

• Fries or onion rings
• Pickles
• Coleslaw

If you want, I can give you a copycat diner sauce, a spicy version, or a smash-patty melt variation.