Copycat Waffle House Texas Bacon Patty Melt (Easy Skillet Recipe!)
If you love a good diner-style patty melt, this copycat Waffle House Texas Bacon Patty Melt is about to become a regular in your kitchen. Thick Texas toast, juicy burger patty, crispy bacon, melty cheese, and sweet grilled onions… all pressed together in a buttery, golden sandwich. It’s messy, salty, cheesy, and absolutely worth every napkin. This version is made for home cooks: one skillet, simple ingredients, and no special equipment. Let’s dive in.About Waffle House & The Texas Bacon Patty Melt
Waffle House is a true American diner icon. Bright yellow sign, sizzling grills, and that cozy, late-night energy you can almost hear and smell from the parking lot. While they’re famous for waffles and hash browns, their Texas Bacon Patty Melt has a cult following. It’s:- Buttery and crisp on the outside from grilled Texas toast
- Rich and beefy from a thin, well-seasoned burger patty
- Smoky and salty from crispy bacon
- Sweet and savory from soft, caramelized onions
- Gooey and cheesy with melted American cheese
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Texas Bacon Patty Melt
- Fast weeknight dinner – Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Simple ingredients – Mostly pantry and fridge staples.
- One-skillet method – Less cleanup, more flavor.
- Customizable – Easy to make gluten-free, dairy-free, or lighter.
- Diner flavor at home – No crowds, no waiting for a booth.
Ingredients for Copycat Waffle House Texas Bacon Patty Melt
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| Copycat Waffle House Texas Bacon Patty Melt — buttery Texas toast, crispy bacon, grilled onions, and melty cheese made easily at home |
Servings: 4 patty melts
Prep time: ~15 minutes
Cook time: ~15–20 minutes
Total time: ~30–35 minutes
For the patties:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional but tasty)
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1–2 Tbsp butter or oil (for onions)
- 8 slices bacon
- 8 slices Texas toast (thick-sliced white bread)
- 8 slices American cheese (or your favorite melty cheese)
- 4 Tbsp softened butter (for the bread)
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Texas Bacon Patty Melt at Home
1. Prep the Beef Patties
1. In a bowl, gently mix together:- Ground beef
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Worcestershire sauce
3. Place patties on a plate, cover, and chill in the fridge while you prep the onions and bacon. This helps them hold their shape.
2. Cook the Bacon
1. Place bacon strips in a large, cold skillet.2. Turn heat to medium and cook until crispy, flipping as needed, about 8–10 minutes.
3. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
4. Reserve 1–2 Tbsp of bacon grease in the pan for the onions (if you prefer, you can wipe out the pan and use butter or oil instead).
3. Cook the Onions
1. In the same skillet over medium heat, add:- 1–2 Tbsp bacon grease or butter
- Thinly sliced onions
3. If they start to brown too fast, lower the heat and add a splash of water to loosen the brown bits.
4. Season lightly with a pinch of salt.
5. Transfer onions to a bowl and set aside.
4. Cook the Burger Patties (Food Safety Note)
1. Wipe out the skillet if heavily browned, or leave some flavor behind for more diner-style taste.2. Heat the skillet over medium-high.
3. Add patties to the hot skillet. Cook about 3–4 minutes per side, or until:
- The internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C) for ground beef, as recommended by the USDA.
5. Transfer cooked patties to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
5. Butter and Build the Sandwiches
1. Spread one side of each slice of Texas toast with softened butter. This will be the outside of the patty melt.2. For each sandwich:
- Place one slice of bread, butter side down, in the skillet (medium heat).
- Add 1 slice of cheese.
- Top with 1 cooked burger patty.
- Add 2 slices of bacon.
- Spoon a generous amount of grilled onions on top.
- Add another slice of cheese.
- Top with the second slice of bread, butter side up.
6. Grill the Patty Melts
1. Cook each sandwich over medium heat until the bottom slice is golden brown and crisp, about 3–4 minutes.2. Carefully flip with a spatula and cook the other side until it’s golden and the cheese is fully melted, another 3–4 minutes.
3. If the bread is browning too quickly before the cheese melts, lower the heat and cover the pan briefly to trap some heat.
7. Rest, Slice & Serve
1. Transfer patty melts to a cutting board and let them sit for 1–2 minutes.2. Slice diagonally for that diner-style presentation.
3. Serve hot with:
- Crispy fries
- Hash browns
- Pickles
- Hot sauce or ketchup
Approximate Nutrition (Per Patty Melt)
These numbers are estimates and will vary based on brands and exact portions.- Calories: ~850–900
- Protein: ~40–45g
- Carbs: ~45–50g
- Fat: ~55–60g
- Fiber: ~2–3g
- Sodium: ~1500–1800mg
Shortcut & “Even Easier” Version (Busy Night Hacks)
Sometimes you just want the flavor without the fuss. Here are a few time-saving ideas:- Use frozen burger patties: Cook pre-formed frozen patties to 160°F and build the sandwich as directed. No mixing or shaping.
- Use pre-cooked bacon: Microwave or pan-warm fully cooked bacon strips to cut way down on prep time.
- Quick-sautéed onions: Instead of slow-cooking, sauté onions over medium-high for 5–6 minutes until softened and lightly browned.
- Griddle or electric skillet: If you have a flat griddle, you can cook the bacon, burgers, and sandwiches on the same surface, just like a diner line cook.
- Air Fryer Toast Hack: Air fry buttered Texas toast slices at 375°F for 3–5 minutes until golden, then build the sandwich with hot patties, bacon, onions, and cheese. You’ll lose the pressed “melt” texture but keep the flavors.
Allergy-Friendly & Dietary Swaps
Everyone should be able to enjoy a good patty melt. Here are some easy modifications.Gluten-Free Texas Bacon Patty Melt
- Use gluten-free thick-sliced bread instead of Texas toast.
- Check labels on:
- Worcestershire sauce (some contain barley)
- Bacon (most are gluten-free but always verify)
- Cheese slices
Dairy-Free Option
- Swap butter for dairy-free margarine or a high-heat oil.
- Use dairy-free cheese slices that melt well (look for “American-style” vegan slices).
Lower-Carb / Keto-Friendly
- Use low-carb bread or a chaffle (cheese + egg waffle) as the “toast.”
- Keep the beef, bacon, onions (in moderation), and cheese the same.
Paleo-Inspired Version
- Skip the bread and turn it into a patty melt bowl:
- Beef patty
- Bacon
- Onions sautéed in compliant fat
- Serve over lettuce, roasted potatoes, or cauliflower rice
- Use no-sugar-added bacon and omit cheese if you’re strict paleo.
Vegan Version (Inspired, Not Authentic)
- Use plant-based ground “beef” for the patty.
- Swap bacon for vegan bacon strips or smoky tempeh.
- Use vegan cheese slices and dairy-free butter.
- Cook patties according to package directions, following any food safety guidelines listed.
Tips for the Best Diner-Style Patty Melt at Home
- Go thin with the patties: Thin patties get that nice browned crust and fit the sandwich better.
- Don’t rush the onions: A few extra minutes gives you sweeter, more flavorful onions.
- Medium heat is your friend: Too high and the bread burns before the cheese melts.
- Rest the sandwich: That 1–2 minute rest keeps all the fillings from sliding out when you slice into it.
How to Serve & Store
Serving ideas:- With crispy hash browns for a true Waffle House-style plate
- With fries, tater tots, or a simple side salad
- With pickles and hot sauce on the side
- Patties & bacon: Store in the fridge up to 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Onions: Keep refrigerated up to 4 days.
- Assembled sandwiches: Best eaten fresh. If you must, reheat in a skillet over low heat to re-crisp the bread.
Let’s Talk: Did You Try This Copycat Texas Bacon Patty Melt?
I’d love to hear how this copycat Waffle House Texas Bacon Patty Melt turned out in your kitchen.- Did you stick to the classic version?
- Did you swap in a different cheese or bread?
- Serve it with hash browns or fries?
Important Disclaimers
- This recipe is an unofficial copycat version of the Waffle House Texas Bacon Patty Melt. It is created based on personal experience and publicly available descriptions. No proprietary or secret restaurant recipes were used, and we do not claim this to be the exact restaurant recipe.
- Waffle House and related menu item names are trademarks of their respective owners. This recipe is for educational and personal cooking use only and is not endorsed or sponsored by Waffle House.
- Affiliate disclosure: Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon Associate and may earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this site, at no additional cost to you.
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