Chopped Cheese Sandwich
This Harlem-style chopped cheese sandwich may share some of the ingredients of a common cheeseburger, but it tastes nothing like it! Cook ground beef on the griddle, chop it up, and add it to a hoagie bun with ketchup, mayo, lettuce, and tomato... then prepare to be perplexed, since this chopped cheese is like nothing you've tasted before!
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs 80/20 ground beef
- ½ medium yellow onion diced
- 1 tbsp cooking oil of your choice
- 8 slices yellow American cheese
- 4 hoagie buns
- 4 tbsp butter
- mayonnaise
- ketchup
- shredded iceberg lettuce
- sliced tomato
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat the griddle to about 400-425 degrees F. While the griddle is heating, portion ground beef into 4 patties that are about 6 ounces each.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the hot griddle surface and spread it around with your spatula. Add the diced onions to the griddle and begin to sauté.
- Place the beef patties on the hot griddle and season with salt and pepper. Cook the beef patties on the first side untouched for about 3-5 minutes or until a nice crust develops. Flip the patties to the second side and continue to cook an additional 1-2 minutes.
- While the beef patties are cooking, cut the hoagie buns in half lengthwise. Butter the cut side of the buns and toast on the griddle cut side down. When buns are toasted, remove from the griddle. Spread mayo and ketchup on the buns and set to the side.
- Using a spatula or bench scraper, chop the beef patties to break them apart. Add in the sautéed diced onions. Continue to cook the beef mixture until there is no more pink in the meat.
- Portion the chopped beef mixture into 4 equally-sized portions that are about the same size as your hoagie buns. Add 2 slices of American cheese to the top of each meat portion. Allow the cheese to melt for about 2 minutes. *If needed, you can also add a bit of water to the griddle near the beef to create steam, and cover with a melting dome.
- When cheese has melted, transfer the meat portions to the prepared toasted hoagie buns. Add shredded lettuce and sliced tomato. Wrap the chopped cheese sandwiches up in aluminum foil or deli paper and allow to rest in the wrapping for 4-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Traditional chopped cheese sandwiches are served with mayonnaise, ketchup, shredded iceberg lettuce, and sliced tomato, but feel free to add your own toppings.
- You may let the American cheese melt on top of the chopped beef or chop it up to incorporate it into the meat. Try it both ways to see which method you prefer.
- For a spicier sandwich, add diced fresh jalapeños to the onions to sauté.
- Wrapping the chopped cheese in deli paper or foil is highly recommended. It allows the bun to soften and absorb the grease from the beef, plus it makes the sandwich easier to eat.