This Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt with Special Sauce is a 40-minute, skillet-cooked, family-friendly meal with juicy beef, melty cheese, and caramelized onions on crisp sourdough. Made with 80/20 ground beef for richness and finished with a creamy special sauce, this patty melt recipe delivers true diner-style comfort at home.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day? You may want to check out our Cold Pastrami Sandwich Recipe, too!
Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 25 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🔥 Cook Method: Skillet
- 🍽️ Cuisine: American Diner-Style
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges and a Southern Cucumber Vinegar Salad
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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We've made these patty melts for weeknight family dinners. They're best served hot off the skillet with crisp sour pickles on the side. ~Jami
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.
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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: We choose high-quality beef for this recipe. A mix of 80/20 ground beef gives the best juiciness.
- Onions: We caramelize them 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.
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How to Make Skillet Sourdough Patty Melt with Special Sauce
STEP ONE: Prepare the Special Sauce
In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, pickle relish (optional), smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Set aside.
STEP TWO: Caramelize the Onions
In a skillet, heat one tablespoon of 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 Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and seasoning. Form the ground beef into 4 equal-sized patties.
In the same skillet, add one tablespoon of 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
Butter one side of each bread slice, then spread sauce on the unbuttered sides of 4 slices. Layer with a patty, cheese, onions, optional jalapeños, more cheese, and top with the remaining bread, buttered side out.
Grill in a buttered skillet over medium heat until golden and melty, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Storage
Store leftover sourdough patty melts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap individually in foil, place in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or reheat frozen melts in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
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 Use 80/20 ground beef for the right balance of juiciness and flavor.
✔️ DO Layer cheese on both sides of the onions to ensure a full, gooey melt.
✔️ DO Caramelize onions slowly for deeper sweetness. It makes the biggest difference.
❌ DON'T overload with sauce. Spread it thin so the bread stays crisp.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
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
Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
Patty Melt
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 1 teaspoon seasoning garlic powder or favorite seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter plus more for grilling
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- 8 slices Swiss, Sharp Cheddar, or American cheese
- 1 jalapeño thinly sliced (optional)
Special Sauce
- 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
- 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
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