The Ultimate Patty Melt With Special Sauce Recipe You’ll Love

Patty melts represent the ultimate comfort food fusion of burger and grilled cheese.

Rich, sizzling beef crafts ordinary bread into a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes hungry taste buds.

Layers of melted cheese create a luxurious texture that complements the hearty meat perfectly.

Crispy, buttery bread provides a satisfying crunch with each delectable bite.

A zesty secret sauce adds unexpected depth and complexity to this beloved sandwich.

Home cooks and food enthusiasts adore these mouthwatering creations for their simplicity and intense flavor profile.

Prepare to elevate your mealtime with a dish that promises pure deliciousness.

Why Patty Melts with Secret Sauce Hit Every Craving

• Savor Irresistible Flavor Combinations: The secret sauce blends tangy mayonnaise, sweet relish, and zesty ketchup, creating a mouthwatering complement to the perfectly seasoned beef patties that deliver a flavor explosion in every bite.
• Master Quick and Easy Comfort Cooking: These patty melts come together in just 20 minutes, offering a restaurant-quality meal that's simple enough for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough to satisfy hardcore sandwich lovers.
• Enjoy Texture-Rich Culinary Experience: Crispy, buttery toasted bread meets melty provolone and cheddar cheese, sandwiching a juicy seasoned beef patty that provides multiple layers of satisfying textures and tastes.
• Pack a Protein-Powered Meal: With 38 grams of protein per serving, these patty melts deliver a substantial, filling meal that keeps you energized and satisfied without requiring complex cooking skills.

Everything That Makes Patty Melts with Secret Sauce a Hit

• Ground Beef: Rich, juicy base for patties with robust flavor and hearty texture.
• Bacon: Adds smoky, crispy dimension to the secret sauce.

• Provolone Cheese: Mild, creamy cheese that melts smoothly for sandwich base.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy cheese that provides extra flavor and melting quality.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy foundation for secret sauce with rich, smooth consistency.
• Ketchup: Sweet and tangy component that balances secret sauce flavor.
• Relish: Adds zesty, pickle-like accent to secret sauce.
• Sugar: Enhances overall sweetness and balances other sauce ingredients.
• Onion Powder: Provides deep, concentrated onion flavor without raw texture.
• Garlic Powder: Offers aromatic, savory undertone to meat seasoning.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall meat and sauce flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and completes meat seasoning profile.

• Bread Slices: Classic foundation for building patty melt sandwich.
• Butter: Ensures golden, crispy exterior when grilling sandwich.

How to Assemble Juicy Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Beef Patties

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Ensure patties are evenly seasoned and uniform in size.

Step 2: Cook Beef Patties

Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 160°F.

Step 3: Create Secret Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Crumbled bacon
• Ketchup
• Sugar
• Relish

Stir ingredients until well blended and smooth.

Step 4: Assemble Sandwich Layers

• Provolone cheese
• Cooked beef patty
• Cheddar cheese

Spread secret sauce on remaining bread slices.

Step 5: Grill Patty Melts

Place sandwiches in skillet over medium heat, butter-side down. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until bread turns golden and cheese melts completely.

Step 6: Serve Patty Melts

Allow sandwiches to cool slightly. Slice diagonally and serve warm with extra secret sauce on side.

Tips for Toasting Patty Melts with Secret Sauce Like a Pro

• Meat Mastery: Choose 80/20 ground beef for juicier, more flavorful patties that won't dry out during cooking.
• Seasoning Secret: Sprinkle spices evenly and generously on both sides of the patties for maximum flavor impact.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Let cheese reach room temperature before assembling to ensure smooth, even melting.
• Skillet Strategy: Use a cast-iron skillet for optimal browning and creating a crispy, golden exterior on bread.
• Sauce Success: Make the secret sauce ahead of time and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld together perfectly.

Reheat Patty Melts with Secret Sauce Without Losing Crunch

• Refrigerate: Store leftover patty melts in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap each sandwich individually in aluminum foil to prevent moisture and maintain texture.
• Freezing: Place cooled patty melts in freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for maximum 1 month to preserve quality and prevent freezer burn. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Reheating: Warm patty melts in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side. This method restores crispy bread and melts cheese perfectly. Alternatively, use an oven preheated to 350°F for 10-12 minutes, which helps maintain the sandwich's original crispiness and flavor. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy bread and rubbery meat texture.

Side Dishes That Love Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

• Craft Bold Beer Pairing: Grab a crisp amber ale or hoppy IPA that cuts through the rich, meaty patty melt and complements its robust flavor profile. The beer's carbonation helps cleanse your palate between each savory bite.
• Create Tangy Side Salad: Whip up a fresh, vinegar-based coleslaw with bright, crunchy cabbage to balance the sandwich's heavy, decadent texture. The acidic notes will refresh your taste buds and provide a light counterpoint to the melted cheese and juicy beef.
• Match Zesty Pickle Plate: Serve crisp, cold dill pickles on the side to enhance the secret sauce's tanginess and add a sharp, vinegary crunch. These pickles will brighten the meal and provide a cool contrast to the warm, melted sandwich.
• Pour Classic Bourbon Cocktail: Mix a smooth old fashioned or manhattan to echo the patty melt's deep, caramelized flavors. The whiskey's warmth and subtle sweetness will beautifully complement the beef and melted cheese.

Unexpected Twists on Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

• Spicy Southwest Sizzler: Replace regular ground beef with spicy chorizo, swap provolone for pepper jack cheese, and add diced green chiles to the secret sauce for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Marvel: Use lamb instead of beef, incorporate feta cheese, mix tzatziki sauce with the secret sauce, and add sliced cucumber for a fresh Mediterranean-inspired version.
• BBQ Ranch Fusion: Blend BBQ sauce into the secret sauce, top the patties with crispy onion strings, and use smoked gouda cheese for a rich, smoky flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Veggie Melt: Substitute beef patties with grilled portobello mushrooms, use plant-based cheese slices, and add roasted bell peppers for a hearty vegetarian alternative.

Patty Melts With Special Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Sizzling patty melts promise a delightful dance of flavors between crispy rye bread and juicy beef. Melted cheese and caramelized onions create a mouthwatering symphony that will satisfy your comfort food cravings with classic American diner charm.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
• 6 slices cheddar cheese
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped bacon bits

Bread:

• 6 slices rye bread
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Secret Sauce and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 teaspoon pickle relish
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• Salt, as needed
• Pepper, as needed

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Instructions

1. Prepare ground beef into three equal-sized patties, ensuring uniform thickness for consistent cooking. Sprinkle each patty generously with onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side, developing a rich golden-brown crust and reaching an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
3. Create the secret sauce by whisking together mayonnaise, finely chopped crispy bacon, tangy ketchup, a pinch of granulated sugar, and sweet pickle relish until smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Generously butter one side of each sourdough bread slice using softened unsalted butter (about /15 milliliters per slice).
5. Assemble sandwiches by layering a slice of provolone cheese on three bread slices, placing a cooked beef patty on top, then adding a slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
6. Spread the prepared secret sauce evenly on the remaining bread slices, then place sauce-side down on top of the cheese and patty.
7. Return the skillet to medium heat and carefully place sandwiches butter-side down. Cook for 3-4 minutes until bread turns golden brown and crispy, then gently flip and cook the other side until cheese melts completely.
8. Remove patty melts from skillet, let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow cheese to set, then slice diagonally and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

• Customize your patty melts by adjusting spice levels or swapping cheeses for a personalized twist.
• Cooking patties to medium-rare ensures juicy, tender meat with maximum flavor and minimal dryness.
• Secret sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving.
• Butter-toasting bread creates a crispy exterior that perfectly complements the melted cheese and beef.
• Leftovers can be wrapped tightly and reheated in a skillet to maintain the original crispness and texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying, Grilling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 640 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 115mg