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You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt

📋 Modified: Jul 30, 2024 Published: Jul 14, 2024 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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This Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt with special sauce combines the tangy flavor of sourdough, melted cheese, and caramelized onions, all topped off with a creamy special sauce.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day? You may want to check out our Cold Pastrami Sandwich Recipe, too!

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What is a Patty Melt? A patty melt is a classic American sandwich that combines the best of both worlds: a juicy hamburger and a gooey grilled cheese. Traditionally served on rye bread, this recipe uses sourdough for a unique variation, paired with caramelized onions and a special sauce that adds to the overall flavor.

Serve this delicious patty melt with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges and a Southern Cucumber Vinegar Salad. Prefer a crispy onion burger topping instead? Try our Air Fryer Onion Strings.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Sourdough Patty Melt Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • How to Make Skillet Sourdough Patty Melt with Special Sauce
  • Storage
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Delicious Sourdough: Adds a unique flavor.
  • Juicy Patties: Cooked to perfection for maximum flavor just like our Mushroom Swish Burgers and Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers.
  • Caramelized Onions: Sweet and savory, perfectly balanced.
  • Special Sauce: A tangy and creamy addition that makes every bite irresistible.

Sourdough Patty Melt Ingredients

  • Ground Beef: Choose high-quality beef for juicy patties.
  • Onions: Caramelize to bring out their natural sweetness.
  • Seasoning: Garlic powder and your favorite spice blend.
  • Butter: Adds richness to the grilled bread.
  • Sourdough Bread: Provides a tangy and sturdy base.
  • Swiss or American Cheese: Melts perfectly for that gooey texture.
  • Olive Oil: For cooking the patties and onions.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami flavor to the beef.
  • Jalapeno (optional): For a spicy kick.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Ground Beef: Substitute with ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative.
  • Sourdough Bread: Rye or whole wheat bread can be used for a different flavor.
  • Swiss Cheese: Use cheddar, provolone, or any melting cheese you prefer.

How to Make Skillet Sourdough Patty Melt with Special Sauce

STEP ONE: Prepare the Special Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon pickle relish (optional), ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Set aside.

STEP TWO: Caramelize the Onions

In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

STEP THREE: Cook the Patties

Mix the ground beef with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and seasoning. Form the ground beef into 4 equal-sized patties.

In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook the patties over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

STEP FOUR: Assemble and Grill the Patty Melts

Spread butter on one side of each slice of sourdough bread. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, spread a thin layer of the special sauce. Place a cooked patty on top of the sauce, add a slice of cheese, caramelized onions, a few raw jalapeno slices (optional), another slice of cheese, and top with another slice of bread, butter side out.

In the same skillet, melt a bit more butter over medium heat. Grill the assembled sandwiches until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Storage

Store leftover patty melts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Toast the bread before assembling to prevent sogginess.
✔️ DO Use a combination of cheeses for a more complex flavor.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between a patty melt and a cheeseburger?

A patty melt differs from a cheeseburger in its bread choice and preparation. While a cheeseburger typically uses a hamburger bun, a patty melt is made with slices of bread, often rye, and is grilled like a sandwich. Patty melts usually include caramelized onions and a special sauce for a distinct flavor.

Can I make a patty melt without a skillet?

Yes, you can make a patty melt without a skillet. An alternative method is to use a griddle or a grill pan. If you don't have these, you can use a regular frying pan or even cook the patties and assemble the sandwich in an oven or toaster oven.

How can I make a patty melt healthier?

To make a patty melt healthier, consider using lean ground beef or ground turkey instead of regular ground beef. Opt for whole grain or gluten-free bread instead of traditional sourdough or rye. You can also reduce the amount of cheese or choose a lower-fat cheese.

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📖 Recipe

skillet sourdough patty melt feature image close up

Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt

Jami Powell
This Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt with special sauce combines the tangy flavor of sourdough, melted cheese, and caramelized onions, all topped off with a creamy special sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 1095 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning garlic powder or favorite seasoning blend
  • 2 tablespoon butter plus more for grilling
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 slices sourdough bread
  • 8 slices Swiss or American cheese
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 jalapeno thinly sliced (optional)

Special Sauce Ingreedients

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pickle relish optional
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, mix together all the special sauce ingredients: mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, pickle relish (optional), smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Set aside.
  • In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Mix the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and seasoning. Form the ground beef into 4 equal-sized patties. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook the patties over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Spread butter on one side of each slice of sourdough bread. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, spread a thin layer of the special sauce. Place a cooked patty on top of the sauce, add a slice of cheese, caramelized onions, a few raw jalapeno slices (optional), another slice of cheese, and top with another slice of bread, butter side out.
  • In the same skillet, melt a bit more butter over medium heat. Grill the assembled sandwiches until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  • Cut each patty melt in half and serve immediately.

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Notes

Storage Store leftover patty melts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze Freezing is not recommended.
Reheat Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
Substitutions
  • Ground Beef: Substitute with ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative.
  • Sourdough Bread: Rye or whole wheat bread can be used for a different flavor.
  • Swiss Cheese: Use cheddar, provolone, or any melting cheese you prefer
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.
Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition

Calories: 1095kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 47gFat: 68gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 1492mgPotassium: 597mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 915IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 516mgIron: 8mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

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