Savory Patty Melt Secret Sauce: Quick Diner Flavor (Print Version)
Ultimate Patty Melt Secret Sauce: Unlock diner flavor at home! My easy, creamy, tangy recipe elevates your sandwiches, burgers & dips. Youll crave it.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian
# Ingredients:
→ Base & Creaminess
01 -
Mayonnaise (full-fat, please!)
02 -
Ketchup
→ Tang & Sweetness
03 -
Yellow Mustard
04 -
Sweet Pickle Relish
→ Savory Depth
05 -
Finely Minced Onion
06 -
Garlic Powder
07 -
Worcestershire Sauce
→ Seasonings
08 -
Smoked Paprika
09 -
Black Pepper
10 -
Salt
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get all your ingredients out. I know, I know, it sounds basic, but trust me, when you're in the zone, it's easy to forget something. Like the time I thought I was making this sauce, only to realize halfway through I was out of relish. Cue a frantic grocery run! Chop that onion super fine, almost to a paste if you can manage it. You want flavor, not big crunchy chunks, you know?
02 -
Grab a medium-sized bowl – I always pick one that's a bit too big, because who wants spillover? Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, and that lovely sweet pickle relish. Stir it all together until it's just combined. Don't overdo it, or you'll bruise the pickle bits. I once got so excited I nearly whisked it into oblivion, and it totally changed the texture, oops!
03 -
Now, gently fold in your finely minced onion. See how it starts to smell like a diner already? Add the garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and a tiny pinch of salt. This is where the magic really happens, as those aromas start to mingle. It smells so savory, I swear!
04 -
Give everything another good stir until it's all beautifully incorporated and you have a consistent, creamy pinkish-orange color. Now for the important part: taste it! Grab a clean spoon, take a tiny dip, and see what you think. Does it need a little more tang? A bit more spice? This is your moment to make it perfect for *your* palate. I usually add a tiny bit more pepper.
05 -
This step is crucial, and honestly, I used to skip it, thinking it wouldn't matter. Big mistake! Transfer your glorious Patty Melt Secret Sauce to an airtight container. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour. This chilling time allows all those incredible flavors to really marry and deepen. It makes such a difference.
06 -
Once it's perfectly chilled and the flavors have had their little party, give it one last quick stir. Your sauce should be thick, creamy, and bursting with that classic diner flavor. It should smell tangy and savory, and look beautifully uniform. Drizzle it generously over your patty melts, burgers, or even use it as a dip. So good!
# Notes:
01 -
A little secret: letting this sauce chill for at least an hour truly makes all the flavors sing, don't skip it!
02 -
This sauce keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week; just give it a good stir before serving.
03 -
If you're out of sweet relish, finely diced dill pickles with a pinch of sugar can work in a pinch.
04 -
Serve it not just on patty melts, but also as a dip for fries or a spread on other sandwiches for a flavor boost.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Mixing bowl
02 -
whisk or spoon
03 -
airtight container
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 3g
Protein: 0g