Chopped Cheese

Chopped cheese might just be the best sandwich you have ever had. Although a chopped cheese sandwich has ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato and condiments (like most hamburger recipes), it’s not exactly a burger. The way it’s cooked and assembled in a split hoagie roll makes it unique.

Hearty and slightly greasy in the best possible way, the chopped cheese sandwich is a go-to hangover cure at bodegas around New York City. It’s the thing to get when you want to soak up the drinks after a long night out, or to grab the next day as an epic hangover food. And thanks to this easy recipe, you can skip the trip to New York and enjoy it any night of the week—beverages optional.

What is a chopped cheese?

A chopped cheese is a burger-meets-cheesesteak sandwich mashup thought to have originated in a bodega in the Spanish Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Although chopped cheeses and Philly cheesesteaks have some overlapping ingredients, they are very different sandwiches. Chopped cheese is made with well-browned ground beef chopped up into crumbles on the griddle, and then topped with lightly cooked onions and cheese (some melt the cheese on top, others chop it into the meat). The whole shebang is tucked into a toasted and mayo-ed hoagie roll and finished with lettuce, tomato and the condiments of your choice. A Philly cheesesteak is made with thinly sliced steak and is traditionally topped with melted Cheez Whiz or sliced provolone. It does not usually have fresh toppings.

Ingredients for Chopped Cheese

• Hoagie rolls: A soft rectangular hoagie roll (aka hero or sub roll) is easier to stuff than a round roll, and contains the chopped cheese filling better. If you have time, homemade hoagie rolls will take this sandwich to a new level.
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is the classic condiment choice to spread on the toasted hoagies in this sandwich. You can make homemade mayonnaise or buy the best mayo for the tastiest result.
• Canola oil: You only need a bit of oil to cook the onions, so use a cooking oil with a neutral taste that allows the flavors of the meat, cheese and onions to shine.
• Onion: Use a yellow or white onion in this recipe to add a savory edge to the beef that won’t become sweet when cooked like other types of onions are prone to do.
• Ground beef: Just like you’d want to use the best ground beef for burgers with a well-browned crust, choose one with enough marbling to withstand high-heat cooking without drying out.
• Seasoning: The beef is seasoned with salt and pepper to enhance its natural flavor without overshadowing it. When buying spices, opt for whole peppercorns to grind yourself for a fresh, peppery bite.
• American cheese: American cheese is one of the best cheeses for melting, and its mild taste makes it the ideal choice for this sandwich. You’ll see orange American cheese used in New York City, but white American also works.
• Toppings: Like a burger, chopped cheese has a flurry of toppings. Ketchup, yellow mustard, shredded iceberg lettuce and thinly sliced fresh tomato offer freshness, crunch and tang that complement the hearty, savory filling.

Directions

Step 1: Toast the hoagie rolls

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Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Slice the hoagie rolls in half and dry toast each half until it’s lightly browned. Spread each half with mayonnaise and then set the rolls aside.

Editor’s Tip: Gently press on the rolls with a spatula while toasting so that the entire length contacts the hot pan and browns evenly.

Step 2: Brown the beef

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Heat the oil in the skillet and then add the onion. Cook until it’s tender, three to four minutes.

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Add the ground beef, spreading it into a layer without breaking it into small pieces. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper and cook until the beef browns, three to four minutes.

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Flip it and cook until the other side isbrowned, three to four minutes longer.

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Use the spatula to chop the patty into small pieces and divide the meat mixture into four quarters.

Editor’s Tip: A metal spatula has a more rigid, thinner edge than a plastic or silicone one, making it a better choice for chopping up the well-browned meat.

Step 3: Add the cheese and assemble the sandwiches

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Place slices of American cheese in a layer on top of each ground beef quarter and let it melt for one to two minutes. Transfer each quarter to a toasted hoagie bun. Top the chopped cheeses with ketchup, mustard, tomato slices and shredded lettuce.

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Editor’s Tip: Season the tomato slices with salt and pepper before adding them to the sandwich for the best flavor.

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Chopped Cheese Variations

• Add a pickled pepper: To break up the richness of the mayo, meat and cheese, layer pickled sweet peppers in the hoagie with the lettuce and tomato. For a spicy option, use pickled jalapeno rings or pickled cherry peppers.
• Saute an extra vegetable: Some chopped cheese recipes include diced green bell pepper with the onion to add flavor and bulk to the meat. Since green peppers have a strong grassy taste, use no more than a quarter of a small pepper. That way it’s an accent and not a dominating ingredient.
• Try a flavored mayonnaise: A thick slather of mayonnaise is classic on a chopped cheese sandwich, but you can customize it by swapping it for a flavored spread like garlic-, pickle- or chipotle-infused mayonnaise.

How to Store a Chopped Cheese

Much like a hamburger, a chopped cheese sandwich is best when it’s fresh, juicy and hot off the griddle, so it’s not the ideal sandwich to make and enjoy later. Rather than preparing extra sandwiches and wrapping them up, store the components separately in food storage bags or containers so you can assemble them fresh when it’s time to eat.

How long does a chopped cheese last?

Although it’s best to eat a chopped cheese while warm, you can still prep the sandwich ingredients since the leftovers last several days. Store the cooked meat in an airtight container; it will last up to four days in the fridge and three months in the freezer. Less sturdy produce, like lettuce and tomato, can be kept for one to two days, but it’s best to slice them right before eating.

Can you freeze chopped cheese meat?

Yes! Freezing food is a great way to avoid kitchen waste and have dinner ready in a flash. You can freeze ground beef, cooked or raw, for up to three months. Store it properly and use it within the recommended time to prevent freezer burn.

How can you reheat a chopped cheese?

If you have a partially eaten chopped cheese that you want to warm and revive, remove the lettuce and tomato and then briefly microwave to take the chill off and soften the cheese. The bread may be slightly soggy, but that’s not always bad. A better option is to reheat the cooked meat, melt the cheese on top and pack it into a freshly toasted hoagie roll. Microwaving leftovers is one of the fastest ways to reheat the meat, and it will prevent it from drying out. Make sure to use a microwave-safe dish and heat the meat until it’s hot and steamy (a best practice when it comes to food safety) before adding the cheese.

Chopped Cheese Tips

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What’s the best type of roll for a chopped cheese?

A chopped cheese isn’t a grinder, sub or hoagie, but it does work best on a hoagie roll. The crumbled meat stays better connected to a long roll that opens wide and can hold all the juices and toppings. So, even though the sandwich is drippy and a little messy to eat, the contents will not fall out. Since hoagie rolls are soft, toasting them before filling keeps them from disintegrating as they soak up all the flavors.

Can you use other ground meats for a chopped cheese?

If you don’t eat beef, you can still make a fantastic chopped cheese with ground turkey or chicken. But use the fattier options instead of the super lean ones so the meat browns in the pan and doesn’t become tough. Ground bison is a great alternative to beef, and the bread and toppings will tame the slightly gamey flavor.

What can you serve with chopped cheese sandwiches?

A chopped cheese is filling on its own, but where’s the fun in that? Play to its burger-like vibes and cook up a pile of homemade potato chips, French fries or homemade Tater Tots to enjoy on the side. Channel your favorite soda shop recipe and make a milkshake, ice cream float or ice cream soda to sip on as you eat. If that’s too decadent, try air-fryer potato chips for a less rich side dish.