Description
Classic Patty Melt is a delicious, comforting sandwich featuring juicy ground beef patties, caramelized onions, and melted Swiss cheese between buttery grilled rye bread slices. This recipe offers a perfect balance of savory flavors and crispy textures, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Patties
- 1 lb ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Caramelized Onions
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sandwich Assembly
- 8 slices of rye bread (or your choice of bread)
- 8 slices Swiss cheese (or American cheese)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 4 tbsp butter (for bread)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they become golden brown and caramelized. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes and brings out the natural sweetness of the onions.
- Cook the Beef Patties: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper, then form into patties. Using the same skillet to retain flavor, cook the patties over medium-high heat until they are fully cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise evenly on one side of each bread slice. On half of the slices, layer Swiss cheese, a cooked beef patty, caramelized onions, and another slice of cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices, mayonnaise side down.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Butter the outside of each assembled sandwich on both sides. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and carefully grill the sandwiches until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese has melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve: Remove the patty melts from the skillet and slice them in half if desired. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces, fries, or pickles for a classic diner-style meal.
Notes
- Use rye bread for the classic flavor, but sourdough or white bread can be good alternatives.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or garlic powder to the ground beef before cooking.
- Allow onions to caramelize slowly to avoid burning and develop deep flavor.
- Butter the bread generously to ensure a crispy golden crust during grilling.
- Swiss cheese melts best, but American cheese provides a creamier texture.
