Cheesy Sourdough Patty Melt

skillet sourdough patty melt feature image close up

5 from 1 vote

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.

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Total Time40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 1095kcal

Author: Jami Powell

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.

Notes

Storage Store leftover patty melts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze Patty melts can be frozen for up to 2 months if wrapped tightly in foil, but they’re best enjoyed fresh for crisp bread.

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