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Chopped Cheese Sandwich

This Chopped Cheese Sandwich recipe is a mouthwatering combination of seasoned beef, gooey melted cheese, and your favorite condiments, all nestled in a soft hero roll. This iconic New York staple is easy to make and perfect for quick lunches or weeknight meals.

chopped cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes in a wrapper
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What is a Chopped Cheese

It’s a type of sandwich that originated in the New York City area, particularly in the Harlem and Bronx neighborhoods, and are often associated with bodegas, corner stores, and delis. It’s super popular and usually includes the following key ingredients:

  • Ground Beef: The core of the sandwich consists of seasoned, ground beef, often cooked on a griddle or flat-top grill. The beef is typically chopped or minced during cooking, giving the sandwich its name.
  • Cheese: American cheese is typically melted on top of the chopped beef to create a creamy, gooey consistency.
  • Roll or Bread: These are traditionally served on a hero roll or sub roll. The roll is usually toasted or grilled for added flavor and texture.
  • Toppings: Various toppings can be added to the sandwich, depending on personal preferences. Common options include lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, and hot sauce.
shredded lettuce, sliced onions, sliced cheese, and sliced tomatoes in separate glass bowls

What Type of Bread to Use

  • Hero Roll (Sub Roll): The classic choice, a hero roll is often the go-to bread for a chopped cheese sandwich. It’s readily available in most delis and bakeries.
  • Italian Bread: A fresh loaf of Italian bread is a good alternative. It has a similar texture and flavor to a hero roll.
  • French Baguette: A baguette can be used for a more rustic take. It offers a crunchy crust and soft crumb.
hero sub roll on a flat surface

What Type of Cheese to Use

The authentic sandwich is usually made with American cheese. American cheese is known for its meltability and creamy texture, which makes it a popular choice for creating the signature gooey and cheesy filling of the sandwich.

Here are some other options:

  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp or mild cheddar cheese can add a more robust and tangy flavor to your sandwich. It melts beautifully and complements the beef.
  • Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese adds a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a different texture. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy Swiss cheese’s unique taste.
  • Pepper Jack Cheese: If you like a spicy kick, pepper jack cheese with its bits of jalapeño pepper can add some heat.
  • Provolone Cheese: Provolone has a mild, slightly smoky flavor that can pair well with beef. It melts smoothly and provides a creamy consistency.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella is another classic melting cheese, known for its stretchiness. It has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese: Monterey Jack is a versatile cheese that offers a mild, buttery flavor. It melts nicely and works well.
raw ground beef in a glass bowl

Spices and Seasoning

I use my Homemade Burger Rub and Seasoning. You can also use a store-bought burger rub if preferred.

homemade burger seasoning spices in a white bowl and Horcestershire sauce in a white bowl

How to Make Chopped Cheese Sandwich

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. In a large skillet or pan, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles.
  2. Drain any excess fat from the beef.
  3. Add in Worcestershire sauce, sliced onions, spices, and garlic. Stir and cook until the onions are soft and fragrant.
  4. Once the beef is fully cooked, seasoned, and crumbled, add the cheese to the skillet. Stir the cheese into the hot beef.
  5. Load the beef onto buns with condiments, lettuce, tomatoes, and additional cheese if you prefer a very cheesy sandwich.
collage of 4 photos showing cooked ground beef in a skillet with spices

How to Substitute Beef

Ground turkey, either lean or with some fat content, can be a healthier alternative to beef. It’s lighter in flavor but can be just as delicious when seasoned well.

Similar to ground turkey, ground chicken provides a leaner and milder flavor.

Ground pork can add a unique and slightly sweet flavor to your chopped cheese. It’s a good choice for those who enjoy pork.

collage of 4 photos with chopped cheese and toasted buns in a cast iron skillet

How to Chop the Cheese and the Beef

  1. Once the beef is fully cooked and crumbled, add the cheese to the skillet.
  2. Stir the cheese into the hot beef, allowing it to melt and mix with the meat.
  3. Continue to cook for a minute or two, just until the cheese is fully melted and evenly distributed throughout the chopped beef.
  4. Once the cheese is fully melted into the beef, turn off the heat.
chopped cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes on a flat surface

Condiments and Add-ins

  • Mayo
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Hot Sauce
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Ranch Dressing
  • Thousand Island Dressing
  • Aioli
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • Onions
  • Bell Peppers
  • Pickles
  • Jalapeños
  • Olives
  • Mushrooms
  • Bacon
  • Avocado
chopped cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes in a wrapper

How to Store

Store leftover cooked beef in the fridge tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days. I don’t recommend storing assembled sandwiches. The bread will turn soggy and the texture will lose its appeal.

How to Reheat

You can reheat leftover beef in the microwave or on the stove at medium heat until warm.

person holding chopped cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes

Freezer Tips

Cooked beef can typically be stored in the freezer for 2 to 3 months without a significant loss of quality. After that, it’s safe to eat but may not taste as fresh.

Pair With These Recipes

Air Fryer French Fries
Southern Coleslaw
Soul Food Potato Salad
Southern Style Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese
Traeger Smoked Corn on the Cob

More Sandwich Recipes

Kings Hawaiian Sliders
French Dip with Au Jus
Blackened Chicken Sandwich
BLT Wrap
Breakfast Crunchwrap
Lobster Grilled Cheese

chopped cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes in a wrapper
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Chopped Cheese Sandwich

This Chopped Cheese Sandwich recipe is a mouthwatering combination of seasoned beef, gooey melted cheese, and your favorite condiments, all nestled in a soft hero roll. This iconic New York staple is easy to make and perfect for quick lunches or weeknight meals.
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, New York
Keyword chopped cheese, chopped cheese sandwich, how to make a chopped cheese, NYC chopped cheese
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 sandwiches
Calories 587kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup sliced onions
  • American cheese I use 4-5 slices.
  • Hero or Hoagie Rolls
  • mayo
  • sliced tomatoes
  • shredded lettuce

Homemade Burger Rub Seasoning (You can use store-bought if preferred and season to taste)

Instructions

  • In a large skillet or pan, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks using a meat chopper, wooden, or silicone spoon. Stir and cook until the meat is fully cooked, and no longer pink.
  • Drain any excess fat from the beef and pat the meat dry using towel(s). This is important to avoid soggy buns. Excess grease will soak into your rolls/buns.
  • Add in the Worcestershire sauce, sliced onions, spices, and garlic. Stir and cook until the onions are soft and fragrant. Taste the ground beef and add additional spices if necessary.
  • Once the beef is fully cooked, seasoned, and crumbled, add the cheese to the skillet. Stir the cheese into the hot beef, allowing it to melt and mix with the meat.
    (Instead of stirring the cheese into the beef you can also also allow it to melt on top of the beef if preferred)
  • Continue to cook until the cheese is fully melted and evenly distributed throughout the chopped beef.
  • Once the cheese is fully melted into the beef, turn off the heat.
  • For Toasted Buns: Remove the beef from the skillet and use the same skillet to toast the buns at medium heat.
  • Load the beef onto buns with condiments, lettuce, tomatoes, and additional cheese if you prefer a very cheesy sandwich.

Notes

Worcestershire sauce adds a complex, rich flavor to beef dishes. It contains a subtle sweetness along with its savory notes, which can help balance the overall flavor of the beef. Feel free to omit it if you wish, but note the benefits you may lose if you do. You can use soy sauce or balsamic vinegar as well.
You can use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef if you wish.
You can use any type of cheese you prefer.
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1chopped cheese | Calories: 587kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 33g
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
5 from 4 votes
Recipe Rating




justi

Sunday 19th of November 2023

Used pepper jack to add some heat and was so good. Thanks!

staysnatched

Sunday 19th of November 2023

Such a great idea.

sisley

Sunday 19th of November 2023

Cheese always makes everything better!

staysnatched

Sunday 19th of November 2023

Definitely.

Erik

Sunday 19th of November 2023

Totally love how easy this is to make. Good old fashioned satisfying meal!

staysnatched

Sunday 19th of November 2023

Yes, exactly.

Andrea

Sunday 19th of November 2023

I am loving all the flavors in this chopped cheese sandwich. It's a quick, easy meal that's terrific for lunch or dinner.

staysnatched

Sunday 19th of November 2023

Thank you! I agree.

Traci

Sunday 19th of November 2023

One word ... scrumptious! Ok more words ... easy and fun! This is the family night dinner that will always win. Thanks for sharing!