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.
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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: 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
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
- 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
- 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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