Patty Melts with Special Sauce

Get ready to sink your teeth into the Ultimate Patty Melt with Special Sauce! This isn’t just any patty melt; it’s a culinary creation born from perfected techniques and a desire for pure comfort food bliss. While it’s certainly a decadent treat, it’s absolutely worth every savory bite for those moments you crave something truly satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This patty melt recipe stands out from the crowd for several reasons:

• Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of perfectly cooked ground beef, gooey melted cheese, and a tangy, Thousand Island-like special sauce creates an explosion of flavors in every bite.
• Simple, Yet Sophisticated: We’ve focused on keeping the ingredients straightforward to let the core flavors shine, avoiding unnecessary additions that might detract from the classic patty melt experience.
• The Special Sauce: Our unique sauce, a delightful blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, bacon bits, relish, and a touch of sweetness, is the secret weapon that elevates this patty melt to legendary status.
• Perfect for Any Occasion (or just because!): While fantastic for a casual get-together with friends, sports, and a few cold beers, these patty melts are so good, you’ll want to make them just because.

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Ingredients

This recipe yields 3 incredibly satisfying patty melts.

For the Patty Melts:

• 6 slices rye bread
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 pound ground beef
• ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• 6 slices Cheddar cheese
• 6 slices provolone cheese

For the Special Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon real bacon bits
• 1 teaspoon sweet relish
• 1 teaspoon white sugar

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps for patty melt perfection:

1. Prepare the Bread: Generously and thoroughly butter one side of each slice of rye bread. Set aside.
2. Season the Beef: In a bowl, gently combine the ground beef, black pepper, sea salt, and onion powder. Mix just until combined; do not overmix, or your patties will be tough. Form the mixture into three patties, shaping them to fit your slices of bread.
3. Cook the Patties: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the formed patties and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for approximately 5 minutes, or until the patties are no longer pink in the centers and reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (70°C).
4. Whip Up the Special Sauce: While the patties are cooking, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, bacon bits, sweet relish, and white sugar in a small bowl. Stir well until the mayonnaise and ketchup are fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
5. Assemble the Melts: In another large skillet, heat over medium-low heat. Place one slice of buttered bread, buttered-side down, in the skillet. Top with two slices of Cheddar cheese, one cooked patty, and two slices of provolone cheese.
6. Add the Top Bread: Spread a thin layer of your special sauce on the unbuttered side of a second slice of bread. Place this sauce-side down on top of the provolone cheese.
7. Cook to Golden Perfection: Cook the patty melt until the bread is lightly toasted and the cheese is beautifully melted, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
8. Repeat: If necessary, work in batches to assemble and cook the remaining patty melts.

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You Must Know

• This recipe is a delightful indulgence and is not a health food. Enjoy it as an occasional treat!
• The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. We’ve intentionally left out strong burger seasonings like Worcestershire sauce to let the special sauce be the star.
• Don’t overmix your ground beef! Overmixing leads to a dense, tough patty.
• Using a nonstick skillet for the patties will make flipping easier and prevent sticking.

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Make Ahead and Storage

• Patties: You can form the beef patties ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• Special Sauce: The special sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Assembled Melts: Patty melts are best enjoyed fresh. They tend to get soggy if assembled too far in advance or stored after cooking.

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Seasonal Variations

While patty melts are a classic comfort food, you can add subtle twists depending on the season:

• Autumn/Winter Warmth: A thin slice of caramelized apple or a sprinkle of toasted pecans could add an interesting sweet and savory note.
• Spring/Summer Freshness: A few thinly sliced red onion rings (raw for a bite, or quickly pickled for tang) or a touch of fresh dill in the sauce could brighten the flavors.

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Serving Suggestions

These Ultimate Patty Melts are a meal in themselves, but they pair wonderfully with:

• Crispy French Fries: A classic pairing that can’t be beaten.
• Golden Hash Browns: For a hearty, diner-style meal.
• Simple Green Salad: To add a touch of freshness and balance the richness.
• Pickle Spears: The tangy crunch of a pickle is the perfect counterpoint.

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No-Bake Alternative

While a true patty melt requires cooking, if you’re looking for a similar flavor profile without the skillet, consider a “deconstructed” approach:

• Layer cooked ground beef (perhaps seasoned with onion powder) and melted cheese over toasted rye bread.
• Serve the special sauce on the side for dipping.
• This won’t be a patty melt, but it will deliver some of the same delicious flavors in a simpler format.

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Pro Tips

• Butter is Key: Don’t skimp on the butter for the bread; it’s essential for that perfectly golden, crispy crust.
• Cheese Choice: While Cheddar and Provolone are recommended, feel free to experiment with other good melting cheeses like Swiss or Monterey Jack.
• Relish Adjustment: If you use a less sweet relish or minced dill pickle, you might want to slightly increase the sugar in the special sauce to maintain that balanced flavor profile.
• Keep an Eye on the Heat: Medium-low heat is crucial for the final assembly to ensure the cheese melts slowly and the bread toasts without burning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use different types of bread? A: While rye bread is traditional and highly recommended for its flavor and texture, you could experiment with sourdough or even a good quality white bread, but the classic patty melt experience truly shines with rye.

Q: What can I use if I don’t have bacon bits for the sauce? A: You can finely chop and cook a slice or two of bacon until crispy, then crumble it into the sauce. Alternatively, a pinch of smoked paprika could add a smoky note, though it won’t replicate the texture.

Q: My cheese isn’t melting properly. What should I do? A: Ensure your skillet is over medium-low heat. You can also cover the skillet briefly while the patty melts are cooking to create steam, which helps melt the cheese more efficiently.

Q: How can I make this spicier? A: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the special sauce, or incorporate some finely diced jalapeños into the ground beef mixture.

Enjoy crafting and devouring your Ultimate Patty Melts! What’s your favorite comfort food to make when you need a delicious pick-me-up?

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