Ingredients:
For the Patty:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80% lean recommended)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For Assembly:
- 8 slices of rye bread (or any bread of your choice)
- 8 slices of Swiss cheese (or any cheese you prefer)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- Butter, softened (for spreading on the bread)
- Secret Sauce (recipe below)
Secret Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Make the Secret Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the secret sauce: mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth and combined. Adjust seasoning to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Prepare the Patties:
- In a large bowl, gently mix together the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into patties slightly larger than your bread slices (as they will shrink during cooking).
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Cook the Onions:
- In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed and cook the thinly sliced onions over medium heat until caramelized and golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. Assemble the Patty Melts:
- Butter one side of each bread slice. Place 4 slices buttered-side down on a clean work surface.
- Spread a generous amount of the secret sauce on the non-buttered side of each bread slice.
- Place a cooked patty on each bread slice.
- Top each patty with caramelized onions and 2 slices of Swiss cheese.
- Place the remaining bread slices buttered-side up on top of the cheese.
5. Cook the Patty Melts:
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Carefully transfer the assembled sandwiches to the skillet.
- Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Press down gently with a spatula during cooking to help the cheese melt and adhere the sandwiches together.
6. Serve:
- Remove the patty melts from the skillet and let them rest for a minute before slicing diagonally.
- Serve hot, optionally with additional secret sauce on the side for dipping.
These patty melts with secret sauce are savory, cheesy, and packed with flavor. They make a fantastic meal for lunch or dinner, especially when served with crispy fries or a side salad. Enjoy your homemade diner-style treat!
