Chopped Cheese Sandwich
A chopped cheese sandwich is a delicious staple of New York. The classic way to make the iconic New York chopped cheese sandwich is with chopped beef and melted gooey cheese, topped with shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
Although it has many elements, this sandwich is easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and is a quick and delicious meal on the go!
What Is A Chopped Cheese Sandwich?
The chopped cheese sandwich is pretty much a burger that was turned into a sandwich. It all starts with burger patties, which are chopped into small pieces during the cooking process.
Unlike burgers, which use the whole patty, you cut the patty into pieces. The easiest way to do this is with a cooking metal spatula — you can chop patties with a knife or break them up with a fork, but a spatula does the best job.
Once the beef burger patties are cooked, top them with American cheese slices and allow the cheese to melt. Transfer the mixture to a bun and dress it with your desired toppings.
Which Cheese Should You Use?
Most chopped cheese sandwiches use American cheese. It is the best choice as it melts much better than other cheese.
If you do not like American cheese, or just want to try something else, you can try provolone or even mozzarella. Just make sure to cut slices thin enough so they melt completely!
Which Bread Should You Use?
The quality of bread is crucial to have full enjoyment of your chopped cheese sandwich!
I recommend using a traditional sandwich bun or a hoagie roll — any type of bread that is soft and fluffy inside but slightly crusty on the outside.
Making A Chopped Cheese Sandwich
Now while I have a complete recipe for you below, here’s a basic walkthrough as well as some tips and tricks I like to use when making this sandwich:
- To prepare the bread:
- Cut the bread roll ¾ of the way through with a serrated bread knife.
- Place the bread on a baking tray and toast in the oven until golden brown, or toast the bread in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Smother the bun with mayonnaise and ketchup just before putting the filling on top.
- To prepare the filling:
- Cook onions in a skillet until caramelized. Remove the onions from a skillet.
- In the same skillet add burger patties and cook the patties for 4 minutes, or until the bottom is nicely browned.
- Flip the patties and cook for another minute.
- Use two cooking spatulas to chop the burger patties into small pieces.
- Add the cooked onions and give it a good stir.
- Top the mixture with cheese and allow the cheese to melt.
- To make the chopped cheese sandwich:
- Transfer the filling onto the prepared bread.
- Top the patties with chopped lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
- Close the sandwich and serve!
My tips for the chopped cheese sandwich:
- Always toast the bread. Toasting the bread will prevent it from getting soggy when you add the condiments!
- Chop the burger patties, not the cheese. The name chopped cheese may imply the cheese is chopped, but you will find yourself in a sticky situation if you chop the melted cheese. The correct way to make this sandwich is to chop the beef patties, then place cheese on top so it can melt.
- For extra flavor, add extra spices. A chopped cheese sandwich is great just as it is, but for some extra flavor, I recommend adding spicy seasonings — either to the patty or on top of your sandwich.
Chopped Cheese Sandwich
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
For the filling:
- ½ tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 beef burger patties
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 slices of American cheese
For the rolls:
- 2 bread rolls, sliced ¾ through
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1-2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 ½ cups mixed lettuce
Instructions
1. Prepare the bread; slice the bread rolls ¾ of the way through with a serrated knife.
2. Place the buns on a baking sheet and toast in the oven at 375°F for a few minutes or until nicely toasted. Set the bread aside.
3. Prepare the patties; heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the diced onions and cook until caramelized. Remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside.
5. Add the patties into the same skillet and cook for 4 minutes. Flip and continue to cook for another minute.
6. Use 2 steel spatulas to chop burgers into small pieces. Add the caramelized onions and keep chopping and stirring.
7. Divide the mixture into 2 portions and cover each with 1-2 slices of cheese.
8. Assemble; spread the mayonnaise and ketchup over the toasted buns.
9. Place the burger mixture over the condiments, then place mixed lettuce and tomato slices on top.
10. Close the sandwich and serve!
Chopped Cheese Sandwich
A chopped cheese sandwich is a delicious staple of New York. Although it has many elements, this sandwich is easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and is a quick and delicious meal on the go!
Ingredients
For the filling:
- ½ tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 beef burger patties
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 slices of American cheese
For the rolls:
- 2 bread rolls, sliced ¾ through
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1-2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 ½ cups mixed lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the bread; slice the bread rolls ¾ of the way through with a serrated knife.
- Place the buns on a baking sheet and toast in the oven at 375°F for a few minutes or until nicely toasted. Set the bread aside.
- Prepare the patties; heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onions and cook until caramelized. Remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside.
- Add the patties into the same skillet and cook for 4 minutes. Flip and continue to cook for another minute.
- Use 2 steel spatulas to chop burgers into small pieces. Add the caramelized onions and keep chopping and stirring.
- Divide the mixture into 2 portions and cover each with 1-2 slices of cheese.
- Assemble; spread the mayonnaise and ketchup over the toasted buns.
- Place the burger mixture over the condiments, then place mixed lettuce and tomato slices on top.
- Close the sandwich and serve!
