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Tasty Secret Sauce Patty

Featured in Easy Sandwiches Done Right.

This tasty sandwich brings together juicy seasoned beef, two melty cheeses, slowly sweetened onions, and a special tangy sauce, all on crispy rye bread.
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Emily Watson
Updated on Thu, 13 Mar 2025 05:20:37 GMT
A close-up of a toasted sandwich filled with layers of melted cheese, ground beef, and caramelized onions, served on a black plate. Pin it
A close-up of a toasted sandwich filled with layers of melted cheese, ground beef, and caramelized onions, served on a black plate. | thefamilycooks.com

I've gotta share my go-to comfort dish: Hidden Flavor Grilled Cheese Burger Magic! This goes way beyond a regular sandwich - it's something I tweaked through many Sunday kitchen experiments. Imagine: tender beef sandwiched between crispy rye slices, covered with gooey cheese, topped with melt-in-your-mouth onions, and finished with a topping so tasty you'll want to drizzle it on everything else you eat. Believe me, once you try this, standard burgers won't cut it anymore!

What Makes This Creation Special

This isn't your run-of-the-mill sandwich combo - it's totally revolutionary! That hidden flavor mix? It came from tons of sampling and adjusting (my kids and spouse were happy test subjects!). And about those slow-cooked onions? Every minute spent at the stove pays off. When you bring these parts together with that crunchy rye exterior, you'll experience sandwich heaven!

Key Components You'll Need

  • The Knockout Topping: Here's our hidden weapon - mayo, tomato sauce, mustard, and a bit of juice from the pickle jar - you'll thank me later!
  • The Onion Magic: Take your time here - they'll slowly turn into sweet, amber deliciousness.
  • The Meat: An 85/15 mix hits the perfect spot for moist but not overly fatty patties.
  • The Outer Layer: Quality rye bread really changes everything.
  • The Melty Team: Both Swiss AND cheddar because one type just isn't enough!

Creating Food Happiness

Mix Your Special Topping
Start with blending that fantastic sauce - this lets all the tastes mingle together nicely.
Slow Onion Transformation
This is your peaceful cooking moment - gentle heat and time work wonders with onions.
Burger Brilliance
Don't hold back on seasoning that meat! A splash of Worcestershire sauce is my little trick here.
Putting It All Together
Stack everything carefully - it's like creating the most delicious food puzzle ever!

Insider Tricks

I've made these so many times and learned some shortcuts! Lightly brown that rye bread before you start stacking - it totally transforms the texture. And here's what the pros do: cover your pan while cooking so the cheese gets super melty! If you notice your onions getting too dry, just add a tiny bit of water and they'll bounce right back.

Complete Your Dinner

These sandwiches really need something crunchy alongside them! My household loves them with spiced potato fries, but a zingy slaw works amazingly too. Always add that pickle on the side - the extra snap and tartness just lifts everything up. Sometimes I'll pair them with a bowl of tomato soup for the ultimate comfort dinner!

Answers To Your Questions

You can totally prep that special topping ahead - it actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge overnight! Having trouble with those onions? Keep your burner low and don't rush them - the result is worth it. Worried about getting your cheese all melty? Remember: using a cover on your pan is the secret!

Try These Twists

Don't be afraid to switch things up! Sometimes I throw in pepper jack for a bit of heat, or toss in some crunchy bacon because... well, it's bacon! Butter-cooked mushrooms make an awesome addition too. And if you're feeling fancy, try swapping for sourdough bread - it creates a totally different sandwich!

Storage Smarts

Got some left? Lucky you! These taste best when warmed up in a pan to keep the outside nice and crisp. Don't use the microwave - you'll just end up with something soggy. If you're planning meals ahead, you can make the special topping and onions beforehand - just put everything together fresh when you're ready to eat.

A close-up of a grilled sandwich filled with melted cheese and ground beef between two slices of toasted bread. Pin it
A close-up of a grilled sandwich filled with melted cheese and ground beef between two slices of toasted bread. | thefamilycooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why cook onions for such a long time?
Spending 30 minutes on the onions brings out their natural sweetness. This slow cooking transforms their sugars into deep, rich flavors that perfectly match the beef.
→ What's the point of using two cheeses?
The Swiss gives you that nutty taste and melts smoothly, while the cheddar adds a sharp kick and melts differently. Together they make the perfect cheesy combo.
→ Can I make a gluten-free version?
Sure thing, just grab some gluten-free rye bread or any sturdy gluten-free option. Just double-check your Worcestershire and mustard don't contain gluten—many brands do.
→ What's the reason for making the patties so thin?
Thin patties cook faster and more evenly, plus they fit nicely in the sandwich. You'll also get the perfect amount of meat with each bite, and the cheese melts better.
→ Is it okay to make the sauce in advance?
Absolutely! You can mix up the sauce and keep it in your fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better when they have time to blend together.

Patty Melt

A hearty sandwich with juicy beef patties, melted Swiss and cheddar, sweet onions, and zesty secret sauce between crispy rye slices.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Sandwiches

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 sandwiches)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1/4 cup of mayo.
02 2 tbsp of tomato sauce.
03 1 tbsp of brown mustard.
04 1 tsp of juice from pickles.
05 1/4 tsp of red spice powder.
06 1/4 tsp of powdered garlic.
07 2 tbsp of oil from olives.
08 2 big onions, cut into thin strips.
09 12 ounces of ground beef (85% lean).
10 1/2 tsp of table salt.
11 1/2 tsp of black seasoning.
12 1 tsp of brown savory sauce.
13 8 pieces of dark bread.
14 3 tbsp of plain butter.
15 4 slices of holey white cheese.
16 4 slices of orange-yellow cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

Stir together mayo, tomato sauce, brown mustard, pickle juice, red spice, and garlic dust until everything's blended well.

Step 02

Put sliced onions in hot oil on low-medium fire for half an hour till they turn golden. Splash in some water if they start sticking.

Step 03

Combine your ground beef with salt, black seasoning, and brown sauce. Press down into four flat circles that match your bread size.

Step 04

Toss meat circles on a hot pan until they're brown on both sides. Put them aside when done.

Step 05

Spread butter on all bread pieces. Put one slice down (butter facing down), add white cheese, meat circle, cooked onions, flavor mix, orange cheese, and top bread (butter facing up).

Step 06

Cook the whole sandwich until it's golden outside and the cheese gets melty. Don't forget to flip it once.

Notes

  1. You can mix up the flavor blend a day before.
  2. Works with special bread for folks who can't eat wheat.
  3. Look at the bottle label of brown savory sauce if you need the wheat-free kind.

Tools You'll Need

  • Flat cooking pan.
  • Containers for mixing.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Milk products.
  • Egg stuff (found in mayo).
  • Wheat proteins.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 550
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 32 g