BBQ Chopped Cheese
Equipment
- Normal Kitchen Utensils
- A Flat Top Grill or Griddle Works Great Here
- Wax Paper and/or Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Ground Beef
- 1/2 Small Onion sliced thin; roughly 3/4 to 1 C
- 4-6 3/4 Oz. Slices Cheddar Cheese you can also sub in any cheese you want – like Monterey jack or pepper jack
- 2-4 6-7 Inch Hero or Hoagie Rolls steak rolls also work great; typically not seeded
- 1/4 C Coleslaw
- 8-10 Slices Dill Pickle plus more if you make additional sandwiches
- Mayo 3 Tbsp, give or take, to your taste
- Barbecue Sauce 1/4 to 1/2 C, to your taste
- BBQ Seasoning or Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Before you start: these sandwiches, and those like them, draw part of their majesty from the fact that they are overstuffed. That being said, squeezing them together is an art. You need strong bread and I highly recommend having wax paper and aluminum foil ready to go (aluminum at the minimum, if you don't have wax paper). Wrapping these sandwiches helps the bread squeeze all that goodness in and not break apart. If you do not have wrapping materials, you can still make these sandwiches. You will simply need to consider larger rolls, or breaking 2 sandwiches into 4 – using 4 rolls instead of 2.
- If you have a flat top grill or griddle, fire that up over medium-high heat. Otherwise, heat a large, wide skillet or pan over medium-high heat. If using a pan or skillet, you may want to make one sandwich at a time.
- Slice your bread in half, lengthwise, making sure not to cut all the way through. Keep both halves together.2-4 6-7 Inch Hero or Hoagie Rolls
- Spread a thin layer of mayo on the inside of the bread.Mayo
- Open the bread and toast it, inside down, on the griddle or pan. Give it a minute or two until it reaches your desired level of color.
- Set the bread aside and add the ground beef to the pan (1/2 for each sandwich, if you are cooking in batches). Using a spatula, break it apart and spread it across the cooking surface. You want as much beef to cooking surface as possible.1 Lb Ground Beef
- Let the beef cook for 2-3 minutes, crisping up at the edges and getting some nice color. As it cooks, give it a light sprinkling of your seasonings (BBQ seasoning or salt and pepper).BBQ Seasoning or Salt and Pepper to taste
- Optional step: if you like fresh onion, set aside a few slices of onion for each of your sandwiches.1/2 Small Onion
- Move the beef to one side to continue cooking and add the chopped onion to the empty side (again, 1/2 for each sandwich). Let the meat and onion sit and fry in the pan another 2-3 minutes, stirring the onion occasionally to keep it from burning. Give everything a light sprinkling of your seasoning.
- Give the meat and onions another stir and split the portions up for each sandwich (1 portion if you are cooking in batches, or 2 portions if cooking for both sandwiches at once).
- Bunch each portion into a rough shape of your bread and drizzle with your barbecue sauce. Top each portion with 2 or 3 slices of cheese (I like 2 slices per 1/2 lb of beef). Cook another minute to let the cheese melt.Barbecue Sauce, 4-6 3/4 Oz. Slices Cheddar Cheese
- While the meat and onions cook, spread mayo evenly over the inside of your roll. As much as you like.
- Chop the cheese and meat together using your spatula. When the cheese is broken up, mix the meat and cheese until the cheese it melted throughout.
- Give it one last check for seasoning and then scoop the meat/cheese mixture onto one side of your bread (let any excess grease drip back into the pan/griddle).
- Top the meat with half of the coleslaw and a layer of pickle slices. Close the sandwich up. I recommend wrapping it, as detailed below.1/4 C Coleslaw, 8-10 Slices Dill Pickle
- Recommended step: wrap each sandwich in wax paper and then foil to get that street food style wrapped sandwich. If you don't have wax paper, foil works fine on its own. Wrapping helps mash all the flavors together and gives the bread some help holding together. Letting the sandwich sit for a few minutes to rest will also help all the flavors marry.
- Enjoy!
Notes
A BBQ Twist on a Classic
If you’re a fan of street food, you’ve probably heard of the iconic chopped cheese sandwich, a beloved New York City staple. Today, we’re giving this classic a bold twist with our BBQ Chopped Cheese. This version swaps out the usual ketchup for rich, tangy BBQ sauce, and replaces the traditional lettuce and tomato with crunchy pickles and creamy coleslaw. It’s a flavor-packed upgrade that you’re going to love!
The Origins of the Chopped Cheese
The original chopped cheese, often referred to simply as “chop cheese,” has its roots in the bodegas of Harlem and the Bronx. It’s a simple yet satisfying sandwich made with ground beef, onions, melted cheese, and the typical fixings of lettuce, tomato, and a dollop of ketchup or mayo. It’s cooked on a flat-top grill, chopped up together, and served on a hero roll. Over time, this humble sandwich has become a cultural icon in New York, cherished for its affordability and hearty, comforting taste.
This BBQ Chopped Cheese keeps the heart of this street food classic but adds a smoky, southern twist. It’s a perfect example of how regional flavors can enhance a beloved dish, making it feel fresh and exciting.
Why You’ll Love the BBQ Chopped Cheese
What makes this version so special? It’s all about the combination of textures and flavors. The BBQ sauce brings a sweet and smoky depth that plays perfectly with the savory beef and melted cheese. The pickles add a delightful crunch and tang, while the coleslaw provides creaminess and a touch of sweetness. Together, these ingredients create a sandwich that’s rich, satisfying, and incredibly crave-worthy.
This variation isn’t just tasty; it’s also a fun way to put a personal spin on a classic. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the original, or new to the dish, this BBQ version is sure to become a new favorite.
If you’re curious about the traditional chopped cheese, click here for a recipe that sticks to the roots of this New York classic. And if you’re in the mood for another street food adventure, check out our recipe for the Seattle Hot Dog here, complete with cream cheese and grilled onions.
This BBQ Chopped Cheese is a delicious journey into fusion food, merging the flavors of New York and the South in a way that’s irresistible. Give it a try and let your taste buds decide if this twist surpasses the original!
Some content edited/generated with the help of ChatGPT | OpenAI: https://www.openai.com/