Savory and satisfying, this copycat Waffle House Patty Melt recipe is easy to make at home. Enjoy the taste of Waffle House right in your own kitchen. It's perfect for a quick and comforting meal any day of the week.
What is a Waffle House Patty Melt?
The Waffle House Patty Melt is a popular menu item that combines the deliciousness of a burger and a grilled cheese sandwich. It includes a juicy, seasoned beef patty, melted Swiss and Cheddar cheeses, and caramelized onions sandwiched between slices of perfectly toasted rye toast. This savory delight is a staple at Waffle House, known for its comforting and hearty flavor that satisfies any time of the day or night.
What Does a Waffle House Patty Melt Taste Like?
A Waffle House patty melt tastes like a combination of a juicy hamburger and a grilled cheese sandwich. The savory beef patties pair perfectly with the melted Swiss and cheddar cheeses while the caramelized onions add a sweet, rich flavor.
The toasted rye bread creates a crispy exterior that balances the juicy filling.
Ingredients for Waffle House Patty Melt Recipe
Exact measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Caramelized Onions
- Onion: thinly sliced onions caramelize more evenly and quickly; when carmelizing, they become sweet and rich, which goes perfectly on the melt.
- Butter: adds a rich, creamy taste to the onions and helps with even cooking and browning
- Salt: enhances the sweet flavor of the onions
Ground Beef
- Ground Beef: is the main protein and adds a savory base for the patty melt.
- Salt and Pepper: helps enhance the flavors of your meat mix.
- Worcestershire Sauce: adds a delicious savory and umami flavor to the beef.
Sandwich
- Rye Bread: has a tangy flavor that pairs well with the savory beef and sweet onions. You can also use Texas toast or your favorite thick-cut bread.
- Butter: adds a rich flavor and helps make the bread crispy and golden-brown. You can use mayo as an alternative; it does the same thing as butter but adds a slightly tangy flavor.
- Swiss Cheese: has a mild, nutty flavor that pairs well with the meat. It also melts and gets creamy and gooey, which helps hold the sandwich together.
- Cheddar Cheese: adds a sharp, tangy flavor that melts well with the Swiss cheese. It also melts well and adds a creamy texture.
How do I make this homemade Waffle House Patty Melt recipe?
Caramelize the Onions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and sauté the thinly sliced onions until caramelized and golden brown. This may take about 10-15 minutes. Stir the onions from time to time to cook evenly and avoid burning.
Make the Ground Beef Patties
In a bowl, mix the ground beef, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Then, form 8 thin patties with the ground beef mixture and place them on your cutting board or parchment paper. Make sure the patties are slightly larger than the slices of bread you are using since they will shrink slightly.
Preheat another skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot enough, cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side or until the desired doneness. Once cooked, remove from the skillet and set aside.
Build the Sandwich
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of rye bread (that will be the side we will toast on a skillet).
- On the unbuttered side of half the bread slices, place a cooked burger patty with melted Swiss cheese, add another patty, and top with a cheddar cheese slice and caramelized onions.
- Place the top slice of bread on the caramelized onions, buttered side facing out. Repeat with the rest of the sandwiches.
- Grill the assembled sandwiches on the skillet or griddle until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is fully melted. Remove from heat, slice in half if desired, and serve immediately.
Waffle House Patty Melt Tips and Tricks
For the perfect patty melt, it's important to:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ground beef, good-quality cheese, and fresh bread make a significant difference.
- Take Your Time: It takes a bit of time to caramelize the onions, which allows them to develop their full flavor.
- Season Well: Make sure the beef patties are well-seasoned for a delicious bite.
- Toast: Well-toasted and crispy bread keeps the juicy patty and onions in place.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
What Is the Waffle House Texas Bacon Patty Melt, and Can I Make It?
The Texas Bacon Patty Melt is another popular sandwich from Waffle House. It includes a grilled beef patty, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and grilled onions served on thick Texas toast instead of rye bread.
You can easily recreate this variation by adding cooked bacon and swapping the rye bread in this recipe for Texas toast.
Can I Make a Waffle House Chicken Patty Melt?
Yes. Waffle House also serves a chicken melt variation made with grilled chicken instead of a beef patty.
To make this version, simply replace the ground beef patty with a grilled chicken breast or chicken patty and follow the same steps for assembling the sandwich.
Can I make my Texas Patty Melt spicier?
You can add jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, or spicy aioli for a spicier patty melt. Another option is to mix hot sauce or red chili flakes into the ground beef before forming the patties. If you make it a bit too spicy, you can always cool it down by dipping it in ranch.
How do I keep my bread from getting soggy?
To prevent the bread from getting soggy, toast it well before making the sandwich. Use plenty of butter and cook the bread until it's golden brown and crispy. This will create a barrier that stops the patty and onions from making the bread soggy.
What sides go well with Waffle House Patty Melt?
When making a homemade patty melt, there are several sides that pair well with it. Classic fries are always a favorite. You can also serve hash browns, just like at Waffle House. For a fresher option, try coleslaw for a nice crunch.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
You can prepare some ingredients in advance. Caramelize the onions and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. You can also form the beef patties and keep them refrigerated, covered, for a day. Toast the bread and assemble the patty melt when you're ready to eat to ensure freshness.
How do I store my Waffle House Patty Melt?
To store the patty melt, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days.
How do I reheat my leftover Waffle House Patty Melt?
You have a couple of options for reheating the patty melt. You can place it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or heat it in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side.
What bread does Waffle House use for patty melts?
Waffle House traditionally serves their patty melts on toasted rye bread. Some menu variations use Texas toast instead, especially for their Texas-style melts.
Waffle House Patty Melt Recipe
Ingredients
Caramelized onions
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Butter softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Ground beef
- 1 pound ground beef Use your favorite % of fat for the ground beef.
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Sandwich
- 8 slices rye bread or your preferred bread
- Butter (or mayo) softened, enough to spread on the bread slices
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
Instructions
Caramelize the onions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the butter and sauté the thinly sliced onions with salt until caramelized and golden brown. This may take about 10-15 minutes. Make sure your stir the onions from time to time to cook evenly and avoid burning.1 large onion, 2 tablespoons Butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt
Make the ground beef patties
- In a bowl mix the ground beef, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Form 8 thin patties with the ground beef mixture and place on your cutting board or parchment paper. Make sure that the patties are slightly larger than the slices of bread you are using since they will shrink a tad.1 pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Preheat another skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot enough, cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side or until the desired doneness. Once cooked, remove from the skillet and set aside.
- *Alternatively, you can make 4 larger patties to make it easier and cook them until medium-medium well before making your patty melt.
Build the sandwich
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of rye bread. (that will be the side we will toast on a skillet)8 slices rye bread, Butter (or mayo)
- On the unbuttered side of half the bread slices, place a cooked burger patty with melted Swiss cheese, add another patty, and top with a cheddar cheese slice then the caramelized onions.4 slices Swiss cheese, 4 slices cheddar cheese
- *If you decide to make one patty per patty melt you can place a swiss cheese slice at the bottom of one slice of the bread, add the grilled patty, and top it with the cheddar cheese then the caramelized onion.
- Place the top slice of bread on the caramelized onions, buttered side facing out. Repeat with the rest of the sandwiches.
- Grill the assembled sandwiches on the skillet or griddle until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted. Remove from heat, slice in half if desired, and serve immediately.
leave a comment