✔ Updated · new creamy pepper sauce recipe + corrected card
My copycat-style Whataburger patty melt stacks two thin, well-seasoned beef patties with soft grilled onions and melted Monterey Jack between slices of buttery, griddled Texas toast.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Griddle the assembled sandwich over medium-low heat, not high. The bread needs time to turn golden while the cheese melts all the way through.
What makes it taste like the Texas favorite is the creamy pepper sauce, so this recipe includes a simple homemade version: mayonnaise with plenty of coarse black pepper, a little Worcestershire, garlic and a touch of pickled jalapeño. Make the sauce first so it has time to chill, and everything else comes together in one skillet.
Why You'll Love This Patty Melt
- Homemade creamy pepper sauce in 5 minutes, with pantry ingredients.
- Crisp, buttery Texas toast with melted Monterey Jack and soft grilled onions in every bite.
- One skillet for the onions, the patties and the finished sandwiches.
What's on a Whataburger Patty Melt?
Whataburger's patty melt was my late-night order back in my Austin years, and it is known for a simple, rich combination: two beef patties, grilled onions and Monterey Jack cheese on thick, buttery Texas toast, with a creamy pepper sauce. It's closer to a griddled sandwich than a burger, which is why the bread matters as much as the beef.
This copycat-style version keeps that build and adds a homemade sauce, since the pepper sauce is the part most people want to recreate. If you like to season your beef more boldly, a pinch of our burger seasoning works well in place of plain salt and pepper.
Whataburger Patty Melt Sauce Recipe
The creamy pepper sauce is quick to make and is what gives this sandwich its signature flavor. I make a double batch for fries. Stir these together and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. It makes about 1/2 cup, enough for two sandwiches plus a little for dipping.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon finely minced pickled jalapeño plus 1 teaspoon of the brine (optional, for a little tang and heat)
- A pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Make the sauce first. Even 15 minutes in the fridge lets the black pepper and garlic bloom in the mayonnaise. It keeps for up to 5 days, covered and refrigerated.
- Go thin on the patties. Two thin patties cook through quickly and fit neatly on the bread. Press them slightly larger than the toast, since they shrink as they cook.
- Don't overwork the beef. Shape the patties gently and season only the outside, so they stay tender and juicy.
- Cook the onions low and slow. Medium-low heat and a pinch of salt give soft, sweet onions. If they brown too fast, lower the heat and add a splash of water.
- Use a thermometer. Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) in the center. Thin patties get there in just a few minutes per side.
- Butter the outside, sauce the inside. Butter on the outside gives a crisp, golden crust, while the sauce on the inside keeps the bread from going soggy.
Copycat Whataburger Patty Melt
2
sandwiches15
minutes30
minutes1080
kcal45
minutesA copycat-style Whataburger patty melt: two thin, well-seasoned beef patties, soft grilled onions and Monterey Jack cheese griddled between slices of buttery Texas toast, with a peppery homemade creamy pepper sauce.
Ingredients
- For the Creamy Pepper Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon finely minced pickled jalapeño, plus 1 teaspoon brine (optional)
1 pinch salt
- For the Patty Melts
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 large white onion, thinly sliced
3/4 lb ground beef (80/20)
to taste salt and black pepper
4 slices Texas toast (thick-sliced white bread)
4 slices Monterey Jack cheese
Directions
- Make the Sauce
- Stir together the mayonnaise, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, jalapeño and brine (if using) and a pinch of salt. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes so the flavors blend.
- Cook the Onions and Patties
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, for 12 to 15 minutes, until soft and golden. Transfer to a plate.
- Divide the beef into 4 equal portions and press each into a thin patty about 1/4 inch thick, roughly the shape of a slice of Texas toast. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Wipe out the skillet and heat it over medium-high. Cook the patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through to 160°F (71°C). Transfer to a plate and wipe the pan clean.
- Assemble and Griddle
- Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter on one side of each slice of Texas toast. Turn the slices over and spread about 1 tablespoon of creamy pepper sauce on each unbuttered side.
- On 2 slices, sauce side up, layer 1 slice of cheese, a patty, half the onions, a second patty and another slice of cheese. Top with the remaining bread, sauce side down.
- Griddle the sandwiches in the skillet over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is deep golden and the cheese has melted. Cut in half diagonally and serve with the extra sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Remember to adjust the cooking time based on your preferred level of doneness for the beef patties and toast.
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
What to Serve With a Patty Melt
Serve the patty melt cut in half with french fries or onion rings and a little extra creamy pepper sauce for dipping. A crisp pickle spear or a simple green salad helps balance the richness, and a milkshake makes it a full drive-thru-style meal at home. For more restaurant favorites, browse our 101 best copycat recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sauce on a Whataburger patty melt?
The Whataburger patty melt is known for its creamy pepper sauce, a peppery, mayonnaise-based sauce. This copycat version mixes mayonnaise with coarse black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder and a little pickled jalapeño.
What is on a Whataburger patty melt?
It's known for two beef patties, grilled onions, Monterey Jack cheese and creamy pepper sauce on Texas toast. This recipe builds the sandwich the same way at home.
Can I use a different bread or cheese?
Yes. Any thick-sliced white bread or sourdough works if you can't find Texas toast. Pepper Jack adds heat, and Swiss or American cheese give a more classic diner-style patty melt.
What temperature should the burger patties reach?
Cook ground beef to 160°F (71°C) in the center. Thin patties reach it in about 2 to 3 minutes per side over medium-high heat.
Can I make the creamy pepper sauce ahead?
Yes. It tastes even better after a few hours. Store it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days and use it on burgers, chicken sandwiches or as a dip for fries.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Wrap leftover patty melts tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, covered, for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until hot through (165°F) and the cheese melts again.
