Quick Description
These High-Protein Patty Melts with Secret Sauce are juicy, cheesy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. They combine seasoned beef patties, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and a creamy tangy secret sauce layered between toasted bread (or low-carb bread). It’s the ultimate comfort-food classic—but upgraded with high protein, lower carbs, and a macro-friendly twist.
Servings & Timing
Serves: 2–3
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: ~25–30 minutes
Ingredients List
Patties
1 lb lean ground beef (90–93% lean)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Caramelized Onions
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp butter
- Pinch of salt
Assembly
- 4–6 slices cheese (Swiss, cheddar, or provolone)
- 4–6 slices sourdough or low-carb bread
- 1–2 tbsp butter for grilling
Secret Sauce
- ¼ cup light mayo or Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- ½ tbsp pickle juice or diced pickles
- ¼ tsp paprika
- Pinch of salt & pepper
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions
Heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
Cook 10–12 minutes until golden, soft, and caramelized.
Set aside. - Make the Patties
Mix ground beef with seasonings and Worcestershire sauce.
Form 2–3 thin oval patties (to fit bread shape).
Cook in a hot skillet 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. - Make the Secret Sauce
Mix mayo/Greek yogurt, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Adjust sweetness or tang as preferred
4. Assemble the Patty Melts
Layer in order:
- Bread slice
- Secret sauce
- Cheese slice
- Beef patty
- Caramelized onions
- Another cheese slice
- Top bread slice
5. Grill Until Golden
- Melt butter in a skillet.
- Add assembled patty melts.
- Grill each side 2–3 minutes until golden and cheese is melted.
6. Serve
Slice and serve hot with extra sauce for dipping.
Nutrition (per patty melt)
(Using low-carb bread, lean beef, and light cheese)
- Calories: 350–450
- Protein: 35–42g
- Carbs: 6–15g (depending on bread)
- Fat: 18–25g
- Fiber: 2–6g
Benefits
- High-Protein: Over 35g protein per melt.
- Classic Flavor, Healthier Twist: All the comfort, fewer carbs.
- Customizable: Choose cheese, bread, and sauce level.
- Super Satisfying: Perfect balance of beef, cheese, and sauce.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: Patties and onions can be prepped in advance.
Additional Notes
- Lean ground beef reduces calories without losing flavor.
- Low-carb bread makes this macro-friendly and keto-optional.
- Caramelize onions slowly to get the best flavor.
- Use two slices of cheese for ultimate meltiness.
Dietary Info
- High-Protein: Yes
- Low-Carb Option: Yes
- Gluten-Free Option: Yes (use GF bread)
- Keto Option: Yes (use keto bread)
- Meal-Prep Friendly: Partially
Brief Introduction
These Patty Melts with Secret Sauce take everything you love about a diner-style melt—beef, onions, cheese, buttery toast—and turn it into a high-protein meal that fits your goals. Juicy patties, melty cheese, and that irresistible sweet-tangy sauce come together to create pure comfort-food perfection.
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- Caramelize Onions: Slowly cook for deep flavor.
- Season Patties: Use simple spices for juicy meat.
- Mix Secret Sauce: Sweet, tangy, creamy balance.
- Assemble Melts: Cheese → patty → onions → cheese.
- Pan Grill: Golden, crispy outside; melty inside.
Ingredient Details & Substitutions
- Lean Ground Beef: High protein, less grease.
- Cheese: Swiss = classic, cheddar = bold, provolone = melty.
- Bread: Low-carb works beautifully for protein-focused diets.
- Secret Sauce: Pickle juice adds acidity; ketchup adds sweetness.
