Classic Patty Melt Recipe

The Classic Patty Melt is a delicious blend of a hamburger and a grilled cheese sandwich, featuring a juicy beef patty, caramelized onions, and melty cheese, all grilled between slices of buttery rye bread. It’s a comforting, diner-style meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Equipment:

• Skillet or griddle
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients:

For the Patty Melt:

• 1 pound ground beef (preferably 80/20 blend for juiciness)
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for caramelizing onions)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking patties)
• 4 slices Swiss cheese (or American cheese)
• 4 slices rye bread (or your favorite bread)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for grilling sandwiches)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Caramelize the Onions:
   • In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes, or until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized. Reduce heat if onions start to brown too quickly. Once caramelized, remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. Form and Cook the Patties:
   • While the onions are cooking, form the ground beef into two equal-sized patties, slightly larger than your bread slices to account for shrinkage during cooking. Season each side with salt and pepper.
   • In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Assemble the Patty Melts:
   • Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice of cheese on the unbuttered side of two slices of bread.
   • Place a cooked beef patty on top of the cheese, followed by half of the caramelized onions. Top with another slice of cheese and the remaining slices of bread, buttered side up.
4. Grill the Patty Melts:
   • Heat the skillet over medium heat. Place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.
5. Serve:
   • Once both sides are golden and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the skillet. Let them cool slightly before slicing in half.

Tips:

• Cheese Choice: While Swiss cheese is traditional, you can also use American, cheddar, or provolone for a different flavor profile.
• Bread Options: Rye bread is classic for patty melts, but you can use any sturdy bread, such as sourdough or whole wheat.
• Optional Additions: For a bit of extra flavor, you can add a slice of tomato or some pickles inside the sandwich before grilling.

The Classic Patty Melt is a satisfying, nostalgic dish that brings together the best elements of a burger and a grilled cheese. With its crispy bread, juicy patty, melty cheese, and sweet caramelized onions, this sandwich is sure to become a favorite in your household. Serve it with a side of fries, chips, or a simple salad for a complete meal. Enjoy!

The Classic Patty Melt

The Classic Patty Melt is a delicious blend of a hamburger and a grilled cheese sandwich, featuring a juicy beef patty, caramelized onions, and melty cheese, all grilled between slices of buttery rye bread. It's a comforting, diner-style meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner.

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Equipment

• Skillet or griddle
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients

  

• For the Patty Melt:
• 1 pound ground beef preferably 80/20 blend for juiciness
• 1 large onion thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter for caramelizing onions
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for cooking patties
• 4 slices Swiss cheese or American cheese
• 4 slices rye bread or your favorite bread
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for grilling sandwiches
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Caramelize the Onions:
• In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes, or until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized. Reduce heat if onions start to brown too quickly. Once caramelized, remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Form and Cook the Patties:
• While the onions are cooking, form the ground beef into two equal-sized patties, slightly larger than your bread slices to account for shrinkage during cooking. Season each side with salt and pepper.
• In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Assemble the Patty Melts:
• Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice of cheese on the unbuttered side of two slices of bread.
• Place a cooked beef patty on top of the cheese, followed by half of the caramelized onions. Top with another slice of cheese and the remaining slices of bread, buttered side up.
• Grill the Patty Melts:
• Heat the skillet over medium heat. Place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.
• Serve:
• Once both sides are golden and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the skillet. Let them cool slightly before slicing in half.

Notes

Tips:

Cheese Choice: While Swiss cheese is traditional, you can also use American, cheddar, or provolone for a different flavor profile.
Bread Options: Rye bread is classic for patty melts, but you can use any sturdy bread, such as sourdough or whole wheat.
Optional Additions: For a bit of extra flavor, you can add a slice of tomato or some pickles inside the sandwich before grilling.