New York Chopped Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Chopped cheese sandwich recipe with ground beef is the ultimate New York comfort food. Made in a skillet or slow cooker, served on hoagie buns it is the ultimate Super Bowl meal for sure. Serve cheesy hamburger right out of the pot or crispy as Air Fryer Sandwiches.

Slow Cooker Chopped Cheese Sandwich

You could start with cooking Crockpot Ground Beef until browned and then later in the day when it is done you can add all the other ingredients. I love making it this way when there’s a party because when done you can set to warm for it to be served for a good hour after.

If you don’t have that much time, or a stove, you can make Air Fryer Ground Beef real quick and then combine together in a large bowl, fold together and heat until warmed together in the microwave.

Chopped Cheese Sandwich Recipe

As for the bread there are many different choices. For chopped cheese sliders I would use Hawaiian rolls. That is a fun sweet and savory way to serve them, finger food style. With Bundtwich bread you should bake, slice and allow guests to fill fresh so it doesn’t get soggy sitting there prepared.

• 2 lbs. ground beef patties or loaf
• 1 onion diced
• Beef broth
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• Worchestershire sauce
• 1 tsp pepper
• Cornstarch + 2 tbsp water cold
• 12 slices American cheese like Kraft slices style

I will say these are a bit like our Big Mac Sloppy Joes. You could make the “special sauce” for on the side if you wanted options for how it is served when done. Originally served at the Blue Sky Deli, over the years this delicious sandwich has been tweaked many different ways.

Of course the toppings can vary but iceberg lettuce, pickles and additional American cheese slices on top are typically how they’d be served with your chopped beef. If you have ever had a sloppy joe they are kinda’ the same texture as those except with more stuff crammed into the bun.

Air Fryer Chopped Cheese Sandwich

If you wanted the buns crisped just a bit I would suggest using your Cosori or Ninja foodi. You’d make the chopped cheese recipe as stated below. Use rolls or slider buns from there brushed with butter. Make them as desired and set inside your basket with a sprinkle of salt and garlic powder on the top just until browned.

• In a large skillet add ground beef and onion chopping meat until it is broken up and is browned.
• Drain off any grease. Add your beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper, stir together.
  • If cooking on the stove only skip the next step and move to step 3.
• To a 6 quart slow cooker add your beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper.  Let cook on low 4-6 hours.
• Mix the cornstarch with the cold water, add into pot and stir.
• Add the cheese slices on top and stir in once they are melted.
• Build your subs with lettuce, tomato and the New York chopped cheese and beef mixture.

If you do have leftovers they will save well in air tight containers in the fridge. When reheating in the microwave you want to stir every 30 seconds. You want to stir frequently so the whole thing is warmed evenly. If you feel like you are lacking in sauce you could fold in a bit of mayonnaise to make it creamier.

Ground Beef Chopped Cheese Sandwich

You could use a variety of meat(s) but beef is most common for this or our Chopped Steak Recipe. Ground sausage would add some heat with a bit more fat, ground turkey or chicken would be leaner. No matter which you chose the process of making them beyond browning the raw meat is the same. You basically;

1. Cook the Ground Beef or choice of protein in a hot skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. As it cooks, use a spatula to break it into smaller pieces or “chop” it into crumbles.
   • Season with salt, pepper, and any preferred spices.
   • Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
   • Thin slices of steak can be used to make this Philly cheesesteaks style
2. Melt the Cheese once the meat is cooked. Place slices of American cheese on top. Allow the cheese to melt over the beef, and then mix it in, creating a cheesy beef mixture.
3. Prepare the Roll by splitting the hero roll or sub roll lengthwise, but not all the way through, creating a pocket for the filling.
4. Add Toppings to stuff the roll. You can also add toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onions for freshness and crunch. Feel free to customize with your favorite condiments, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, or hot sauce.
5. Close the roll and serve the chopped cheese sandwich immediately while it’s hot.

Variations exist, and some people add their own twists by incorporating different types of cheese, additional vegetables, or unique sauces. It’s a beloved street food that offers a satisfying combination of flavors and textures.

Classic Chopped Cheese

There are several other names these are called but they refer to the same mixture. If you are in Harlem or NY you may have heard this called;

1. Chopped Cheeseburger emphasizes the ground beef patty aspect of the sandwich, and it’s often used when the sandwich includes a hamburger patty instead of ground beef crumbles.
2. Chopped Cheese Steak is dressed up similar to a cheesesteak.
3. New York Cheeseburger Sub is what this is called in some places, it may be referred to as a New York-style cheeseburger sub, especially when it’s served in a sub roll.
4. Harlem Cheeseburger emphasizes the sandwich’s origin in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
5. Bronx Cheese Melt is also popular in the Bronx, you may hear it called a Bronx cheese melt. Sometimes served inside hot dog buns, it is the bomb.
6. NYC Bodega Sandwich is what you might see the sign say in some small convenience stores.
7. Chopped Sandwich is just omitting the “cheese” part.

Jump to the recipe card below and get started. If you always add something different let us know what you think is the yummiest together.