The Chopped Cheese is a New York City bodega icon—a sandwich made with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and sautéed onions and peppers, all chopped together on a hot griddle and served in a toasted hero roll.
It’s messy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. Born in Harlem, this sandwich has become a beloved staple of NYC street food. Easy to make at home, it’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or late-night cravings.
Ingredients
For the Chopped Cheese:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ onion, thinly sliced
- ½ green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 4 slices American cheese (or provolone)
- 2 hero rolls or sub rolls, toasted
For Assembly:
- Lettuce, shredded
- Tomato slices
- Mayonnaise, ketchup, or hot sauce
For Serving (optional):
- Potato chips
- Pickle spear
Instructions
1. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly charred. Remove and set aside.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the same skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, for 5 to 7 minutes until browned. As the beef cooks, continue chopping and stirring until it forms a fine crumb.
3. Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the cooked onions and peppers to the skillet with the beef. Stir to combine. Arrange the mixture into two piles the shape of the rolls. Top each pile with 2 slices of cheese. Cover the skillet for 30 to 60 seconds to melt the cheese.
4. Toast the Rolls: While the cheese melts, toast the hero rolls on the skillet or in a toaster until lightly golden.
5. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each roll. Using a spatula, carefully transfer the chopped cheese mixture onto the rolls. Top with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, or hot sauce. Close with the top bun.
6. Serve: Serve immediately with potato chips and a pickle spear.
This Chopped Cheese Sandwich is a NYC classic—messy, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible.
