Chopped Cheese Sandwiches
On February 24, 2025
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My Chopped Cheese Sandwiches put a backyard twist on a bodega classic, with chopped ground beef, American cheese, and veggies on a hoagie.
Chopped Cheese Sandwiches
If you’ve never enjoyed a chopped cheese sandwich, you’re in for a treat. This sandwich is an NYC staple, with juicy chopped ground beef, melted American cheese, and a satisfying crunch from fresh veggies, all packed into a toasted hoagie roll. My version takes this classic and gives it a backyard twist by cooking it up on the griddle. It’s got all the melty, beefy goodness of a burger but in a sandwich that’s quick, easy, and oh-so satisfying.
Whether you’re hosting a casual cookout or want a filling weeknight dinner, this one’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Fire up the griddle and let’s get started.
What is a chopped cheese?
The chopped cheese sandwich is a classic New York City creation, with roots in the bodegas of Harlem and the Bronx. Some claim its origins trace back to Middle Eastern influences, while others say it was invented in a Bronx bodega decades ago. Often compared to a Philly cheesesteak, a chopped cheese is made by cooking and chopping up ground beef, melting cheese into it, and serving it on a hero roll with classic toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo.
But don’t get it twisted, this isn’t a Philly cheesesteak. There’s no sliced steak or provolone cheese here. Just seasoned ground beef chopped up on the griddle and smothered with melty cheese. While my version isn’t strictly traditional, I stay true to the heart of this sandwich while giving it my own backyard BBQ spin.
Seasoning for Ground Beef
A great chopped cheese starts with well-seasoned beef. Some say the secret to an authentic chopped cheese is in the seasoning. Those who claim to have invented it aren’t giving up their spice blend, but most recipes call for adobo seasoning. I’m using my signature Beef Rub, because it has those savory onion powder and garlic powder notes of adobo, but is subtle enough to let the beef flavor shine.
You can also just use equal parts salt and black pepper, or any seasoning your family enjoys on ground beef.
How to Make Chopped Cheese Sandwiches
Making a chopped cheese sandwich is all about quick cooking and rich flavors. With a hot griddle and a few simple ingredients, you can have this sandwich ready in no time. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the griddle. Set your griddle to high heat (425 degrees F). I’m using my Camp Chef outdoor griddle, but any griddle will work. If you’re making these on the stove, you can use a large cast iron skillet, but be prepared for a longer cooking time.
- Prepare your ingredients. You can enjoy these sandwiches right away, so you want to have everything prepped ahead of time. The ground beef cooks up fast, so you want everything within reach before you start cooking.
- Grill the patties and onions. Place the burger patties (or loose ground beef) and the onions on the griddle. Sprinkle half of the Beef Rub onto the patties and let them cook for 3-4 minutes to develop a nice sear.
- Prepare the buns. While the beef cooks, get your sub rolls ready. If you want to lightly butter and toast the buns, now’s the time. Then, add your toppings, like mayo, mustard, tomato slices, and shredded lettuce.
- Chop the beef. Using a spatula, lightly chop the hamburger patties, then flip each patty over and continue chopping into small pieces. Season with the remaining Beef Rub and cook 2-3 more minutes.
- Add cheese and onions. Once the beef is fully chopped and cooked through, top each pile with two American cheese slices and the grilled onions. Let the cheese melt for 1-2 minutes until it’s gooey and delicious.
- Assemble sandwiches, and enjoy! Scoop up the sandwich filling, and load onto the hoagie rolls. Wrap the subs in foil and serve with your favorite fries, or whatever sounds good with a hearty sandwich.
What Goes on a Chopped Cheese
A great chopped cheese is all about balancing simple flavors. Perfectly seasoned beef, melty cheese, and caramelized onions with fresh, crisp toppings. Here’s what I’m using:
- 4 submarine rolls
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce (shredded)
- 1 tomato (sliced)
- mayonnaise
- mustard
- pickles (optional)
That said, food is meant to be enjoyed, so feel free to mix it up with your favorite sandwich toppings.
Serving Suggestions
Nothing goes better with these chopped cheese sandwiches hot off the griddle than a side of crispy French fries. If you’re looking for the perfect pairing, check out these beer-battered fries and twice-fried fries. You can also go classic with a side of coleslaw or a simple pickle spear to cut through the richness of the sandwich. The odds are if you enjoy something with a burger or steak sandwich, you’ll love it with a chopped cheese.
More Meaty sandwich Recipes
If you love this chopped cheese recipe, I’ve got plenty more hearty sandwiches for you to try. From burgers to BBQ classics, my collection of meaty sandwiches will keep you grilling all year long. And don’t forget, you can find hundreds of BBQ recipes in the Hey Grill Hey App.
Easy Chopped Cheese Recipe
Now that you know how to make an amazing chopped cheese sandwich, it’s time to fire up the griddle and give it a try yourself. Make this recipe, share it with your friends and family, and let me know how it turns out. Be sure to leave a rating and comment below.
Don’t forget to follow @heygrillhey on Facebook and Instagram so you can share some mouthwatering photos your chop cheese creations. Subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can get insider tips to help you become a Backyard BBQ Hero.
Chopped Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20, you can also use patties
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub or equal parts salt and pepper
- 8 slices American cheese
- 1 yellow onion sliced
- 4 submarine rolls
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
- 1 tomato sliced
- mayonnaise
- yellow mustard
- dill pickles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the griddle. Set your griddle up for high heat, around 425 degrees F.
- Prepare your ingredients. The ground beef cooks up fast prepared this way, so I like to have everything ready ahead of time. Cut the onion into slices so you can cook them alongside the ground beef. Slice your onions as well, and remove the cheese slices from the packaging.
- Grill the patties and onions. Place the ground beef patties in pairs (or about ½-pound loose ground beef) on the griddle, as well as the sliced onions. Sprinkle half the Beef Rub on the patties, then allow them to cook for 3-4 minutes.2 pounds ground beef, 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub, 1 yellow onion
- Prepare the buns. While the ground beef is cooking, assemble the sandwich rolls. If you want to toast your buns, do that first, then add your desired toppings. I made mine with mayonnaise, mustard, tomato slices, pickles, and shredded lettuce.
- Chop the beef. I like to lightly chop into the beef patties with my spatula, then flip them over and break them up the rest of the way. You can flip them over and then chop them up, if that’s easier for you. Season the other side with the rest of the Beef Rub, then allow to cook another 2-3 minutes.
- Add cheese and onions. Place 2 slices of American cheese on each pile of grilled ground beef, then top with the onions. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese starts to melt and bubble,8 slices American cheese
- Assemble sandwiches, and enjoy! Use the spatula to serve the ground beef, cheese, and onions onto the prepared buns. Serve with your favorite fries or potato chips, or with anything else you enjoy alongside a hearty sandwich.4 submarine rolls, 2 cups iceberg lettuce, 1 tomato, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, dill pickles
Notes
- Grab a bottle from the Hey Grill Hey Store here
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
