This chopped cheese sandwich is a New York City classic. Think of it like a mix of the best cheeseburger + Philly cheesesteaks you've ever had, all combined into one ridiculously good sandwich.
The best part, other than its amazing flavor? It requires just a handful of ingredients—which you can customize—and the entire cooking process takes less than five minutes. Try this recipe the next time you're craving a burger, you won't regret it.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Ground Beef — I'm using regular old 80/20 that I got from the store.
- White Onion — I'm slicing the onion thin and then cooking it alongside the beef, similar to an Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger.
- American Cheese — The classic deli-style cheese that just melts perfectly.
- Hoagie Roll — I'm toasting my roll in a little bit of butter for a nice, crunchy texture.
- Butter — To toast the roll.
- Shredded Lettuce — For a light, cool crunch.
- Jalapeño — This adds a little heat which I love, but you can obviously remove it if you don't like it. (I'm using it instead of tomatoes).
- Ketchup & Mayo — There's just something about these two condiments combined on this sandwich that tastes amazing.
- Lawry’s Seasoned Salt — To season the meat, feel free to just use salt & pepper
HOW TO MAKE THE CHOPPED CHEESE SANDWICH
@grillfrenzy CHOPPED CHEESE SANDWICH Search “grill frenzy chopped cheese” on Google for the full recipe. STOP scrolling if you love a good bodega sandwich. 🔥 This iconic NYC chopped cheese hits different and you only need simple ingredients from your kitchen. The best part? You can make it at home in under 10 minutes! 🙌 Make it like the pros: • Toast your hoagie roll in butter • Cook ground beef & onions with seasonings • Chop it up & melt American cheese on top • Layer with mayo, ketchup & shredded lettuce (key!) • Add jalapeños for that extra kick Pro tip: Wrap it in parchment paper to keep all that goodness together 😉 Full recipe on the blog - link in bio! #bbqrecipes #sandwich #grilling #choppedcheese #foodtiktok ♬ Kids - MGMT
1. Toast the Roll
Add a little bit of butter to your pan, melt it, and then toast the inside of your bun for a minute or two until it's nice and golden brown.
2. Cook the Meat & Onions
Add the sliced onions and ground beef to the same skillet. Season with the Lawry's seasoned salt. Break the beef apart with your spatula, and cook the beef until it's cooked all the way through, and the onions are slightly softened.
3. Melt the Cheese
Once the meat and onions are cooked, add the American cheese on top. Lower the heat and cover the pan with a lid to let the cheese melt completely. Once melted, chop the meat and cheese mixture together into smaller pieces.
4. Assemble the Sandwich
Now it's time to build. Lay the toasted roll down, and then add a layer of mayo and ketchup. Next, top with the shredded lettuce and sliced jalapeños. Last, pile on the cheesy beef mixture, making sure to distribute it evenly.
5. Wrap & Serve
Wrap the sandwich in parchment paper to help hold it together and make it easier to eat. Slice the sandwich in half and enjoy the best chopped cheese you've ever had.
PRO TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE
- Tomato option. A classic chopped cheese calls for tomatoes, not jalapeños (I just don't love tomatoes). So feel free to remove the peppers if it's too spicy for you.
- Cheese options. You can't go wrong with American cheese on a sandwich like this, but cheddar or provolone works well, too.
- Toast the outside of the bun. One of the commenters on TikTok had this suggestion. Instead of toasting the inside of the bun—which makes the bread lose its softness—why not toast the outside instead? I may have to try this next time.
Chopped Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 hoagie roll cut into 1" pieces
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small white onion diced
- 1/3 lb ground beef
- 1/2 tsp Lawry’s seasoned salt
- 3 slices American cheese
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 jalapeño thinly sliced
Instructions
- Toast hoagie roll in butter until golden and crisp. Set aside.
- Sauté onions in a skillet until softened, then add ground beef. Season with Lawry’s seasoned salt and cook until browned.
- Top beef with American cheese slices and cover skillet until melted. Chop the beef and cheese together.
- Spread mayo and ketchup on the toasted roll, then layer with lettuce, jalapeños, and the cheesy beef mixture.
- Wrap sandwich in parchment, slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Tomato option. A classic chopped cheese calls for tomatoes, not jalapeños (I just don't love tomatoes). So feel free to remove the peppers if it's too spicy for you.
- Cheese options. You can't go wrong with American cheese on a sandwich like this, but cheddar or provolone works well, too.
- Toast the outside of the bun. One of the commenters on TikTok had this suggestion. Instead of toasting the inside of the bun—which makes the bread lose its softness—why not toast the outside instead? I may have to try this next time.
