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Patty Melts with Secret Sauce

Classic diner-style patty melts loaded with juicy beef patties, caramelized onions, melted cheddar, and a tangy secret sauce on buttery grilled sourdough. A rich, satisfying comfort-food favorite.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 sandwiches
Course: American Classics, Comfort Food, Family Favorites, Main Course, Sandwiches
Cuisine: American
Calories: 710
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 12 slices sourdough bread
  • 3 Vidalia onions thinly sliced
  • 6 slices Cheddar cheese
  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard for secret sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise for secret sauce
  • 1 tbsp barbecue sauce for secret sauce
  • 1/2 tsp hot sauce for secret sauce

Method
 

  1. Stir together Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Form into 6 oval patties.
  3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook onions until soft and deeply golden, about 35 minutes.
  4. Cook patties in a skillet over medium-high heat about 2 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.
  5. Assemble sandwiches with bread, secret sauce, caramelized onions, cheese, patties, more sauce, and top bread slices.
  6. Melt remaining butter in skillet and grill sandwiches in batches about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese melts.

Notes

Swiss cheese can be substituted for cheddar for a classic variation. Serve with pickles and fries for the full diner experience.