When I was a kid growing up in Iowa, some of my best memories were road trips with my dad. No matter where we were headed, he’d always make sure we stopped at a small-town diner to grab a patty melt. Golden, buttery rye bread, melty cheese, a perfectly seasoned burger, and that tangy sauce… it was simple, but so satisfying.
Now, whenever I make these at home, it’s like a little time machine straight back to those cozy, ketchup-stained booths.
Here’s how to bring that magic to your own kitchen.
🍔 Dad’s Classic Patty Melt with Secret Sauce
Ingredients
For the Patty Melts:
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1 pound ground beef
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6 slices rye bread
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
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6 slices cheddar cheese
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6 slices provolone cheese
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6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
For the Secret Sauce:
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¼ cup mayonnaise
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2 tablespoons chopped bacon pieces
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3 tablespoons ketchup
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1 teaspoon sugar
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1 teaspoon relish
Instructions
1. Form the Patties:
Divide the ground beef into 3 equal portions. Shape each into a patty roughly the same size as your bread slices.
2. Season the Patties:
Sprinkle both sides with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Cook the Patties:
In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the patties until browned and fully cooked through. Set aside.
4. Make the Secret Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, bacon, ketchup, sugar, and relish. Stir until combined and set aside.
5. Prep the Skillet:
Wipe your skillet clean and reduce heat to medium.
6. Butter the Bread:
Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice of rye bread.
7. Assemble the Sandwiches:
Place 3 slices of bread in the skillet, butter-side down.
Top each with:
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2 slices provolone
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1 beef patty
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2 slices cheddar
Spread the secret sauce on the unbuttered side of the remaining bread slices. Place on top, sauce-side down.
8. Toast & Flip:
Cook until the bottom slice is golden and the cheese starts to melt. Carefully flip each sandwich and toast the other side until crispy and melty.
9. Serve Hot:
Remove from skillet, slice in half, and serve while hot and gooey.
🧡 Just Like Dad Used to Love
Crispy, cheesy, messy, and a total throwback—these patty melts are the ultimate comfort food. Whether you grew up on diners or just appreciate a good melt, this one’s for you.
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Sophia Reynolds is a dedicated journalist and a key contributor to Storyoftheday24.com. With a passion for uncovering compelling stories, Sophia Reynolds delivers insightful, well-researched news across various categories. Known for breaking down complex topics into engaging and accessible content, Sophia Reynolds has built a reputation for accuracy and reliability. With years of experience in the media industry, Sophia Reynolds remains committed to providing readers with timely and trustworthy news, making them a respected voice in modern journalism.
