Description
Harlem’s legendary chopped cheese sandwich blends bodega culture with NYC street cuisine. Melted cheese, ground beef, and crisp vegetables create a quick, satisfying meal that connects culinary heritage with local flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 2 hero rolls or hoagie buns
- 4 slices American cheese
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize Base: Sauté diced onions in a hot skillet until they turn translucent and develop golden edges, releasing a sweet, aromatic essence.
- Brown Protein: Add ground beef to the skillet, season with salt and pepper. Crumble and cook meat thoroughly, ensuring even browning and complete cooking.
- Cheese Integration: Divide cooked beef into portions and layer American cheese slices on top, allowing them to melt and seamlessly blend with the meat.
- Bread Preparation: Toast hero rolls in a dry skillet or broiler until they achieve a crisp, golden-brown exterior.
- Sandwich Assembly: Spread mayonnaise and ketchup on toasted rolls, creating a flavor-rich foundation.
- Finalize Composition: Transfer cheese-covered beef onto prepared rolls, then top with crisp lettuce and fresh tomato slices for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve: Slice sandwich diagonally and present immediately, capturing the peak of flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for optimal juiciness and flavor, preventing dryness while ensuring rich taste.
- Perfect Cheese Melting Technique: Allow cheese to completely melt and slightly crisp at edges for maximum flavor development and textural complexity.
- Bread Toast Precision: Toast hero rolls until golden brown with slight crispness, avoiding burning while creating a sturdy sandwich foundation that won’t become soggy.
- Seasoning Balance: Generously season ground beef with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning during cooking to enhance overall sandwich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 703
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1041 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg