Chopped Cheese (New York Bodega Recipe)
A chopped cheese sandwich can be found at bodegas across New York, especially in Hispanic neighborhoods. It is made with seasoned chopped meat, melted cheese and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and special sauce also known as bodega sauce.
Ingredients
Chopped Cheese
- 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
- 1 tbsp adobo Healthy Rican
- 1 tsp sazon Healthy Rican
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground oregano
- 6 slices American cheese
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce thinly sliced
- 1 tomato thinly sliced
- 4 kaiser rolls can use pan sobao or Cuban bread
Special sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 tsp pickle brine
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion finely diced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
Make the special sauce
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl. Stir everything until well combined. Transfer to a squeeze bottle if you want to drizzle. Keep sauce refrigerated until ready to use.
Prep the toppings
- Rinse and thinly slice the lettuce and tomatoes. Set aside.
Cook the beef
- Place skillet over medium high heat. Brown your ground beef and remove any excess fat from your skillet.
- Add seasonings and stir to combine.
- Top the beef with cheese and cover until it has melted.
- Chop the cheese into the meat until everything is well combined.
Assemble the sandwich
- Load the cheesy beef onto your bread. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and drizzle with special sauce. Enjoy!