The Delicious Way To Turn Leftover Burger Meat Into Next Day Lunch

Leftover burger patties don't exactly scream excitement. Sitting in the fridge, cold and possibly dried out, they seem destined for a mediocre meal, or worse — the trash can. While we'd like to act like we're above food waste at all times, if something is taking up space in the fridge and you're not feeling particularly creative or in the mood to reheat leftovers, it could quickly turn into a total waste.

But before you settle for a plain reheated burger or just toss it out, there's a much better way to revive that beef patty: by turning it into a top-notch grilled cheese masterpiece. Think of it as a patty melt with an upgrade, blending the juicy richness of a burger with the crispy, buttery crunch of a perfectly toasted sandwich. It's easy, satisfying, and, honestly, it might just be better than the burger had been the first time around.

If you're anything like me, wasting good food is out of the question. The only thing left to do is figure out how to minimize mistakes with leftovers and put them to good use. A grilled cheese patty melt is the perfect medium; here's how to turn a basic burger patty into a scrumptious lunch for the next day.

A plain burger is fine, but when you sandwich it between layers of melted cheese and bread with the crispy edges, now we're talking. The key is to treat the meat like the star ingredient; start by slicing the patty in half or crumbling it up if you want an even cheese-to-meat ratio. Then, choose your cheese wisely: classic American is perfect for melting and gooeyness, Swiss for a touch of nuttiness, or cheddar for sharp, bold flavor. If you're feeling extra fancy, you could also combine cheeses because ... why not?

Butter up two slices of bread (sourdough or rye is incredibly good for this dish) and heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Layer the cheese, the warmed-up burger meat, maybe some caramelized onions or pickles, and another layer of cheese before closing the sandwich. Pan-fry it like you would a classic grilled cheese, pressing lightly with a spatula until the bread turns golden brown and the cheese oozes out the sides. You'll end up with a crispy, melty, flavor-packed sandwich that feels like an entirely new meal rather than just a second-day burger.

A basic patty melt-style sandwich is already delicious, but why not push it a little further? Add a swipe of spicy mustard, a scoop of Thousand Island dressing, or a spoonful of barbecue sauce for an extra kick. Adding some crispy bacon or a fried egg into the mix instantly elevates the sandwich, making it brunch-worthy without a lot of extra effort.

I love a little heat, so I'm a big fan of incorporating jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce can add a nice punch. If you don't want to use regular bread, don't hesitate to swap out with garlic Texas toast or even a pressed ciabatta roll. The beauty of this dish is how adaptable it is, as you can make it as simple or as over-the-top as you want, and it'll still be miles better than microwaving a sad, dry patty.

So next time you've got a lonely leftover burger sitting in the fridge, skip the basic reheat and turn it into something crave-worthy. A grilled cheese burger hybrid is the perfect way to bring those flavors back to life while adding a crispy, melty twist that could feasibly outshine the original.