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Close-up of a perfectly grilled patty melt sandwich with melted cheese

Classic Patty Melt

A classic patty melt features a juicy beef patty, caramelized onions, and melted Swiss cheese between two slices of golden-grilled rye bread. It's a comforting and savory sandwich perfect for a hearty meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 4 sandwiches

Equipment

  • Large skillet or pan
  • Spatula
  • Cutting board

Ingredients
  

For the Onions:

  • 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar optional
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Patties:

  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 Chuck
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For Assembly:

  • 8 slices rye bread
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or butter for spreading on bread

Instructions
 

Caramelize the Onions:

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat, then add sliced onions, a pinch of salt, and optional sugar.
  • Cook slowly for 25-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply golden brown and soft; season with pepper, then remove and set aside.

Prepare the Patties:

  • While onions cook, gently mix ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, avoiding overmixing.
  • Divide the seasoned meat into four equal portions and form into oblong patties, making them slightly larger than your bread slices.

Cook the Patties:

  • Increase skillet heat to medium-high and cook patties for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer to desired doneness.
  • Once cooked, remove patties from the skillet and drain any excess grease.

Assemble and Grill:

  • Spread mayonnaise or butter thinly on one side of each rye bread slice.
  • Place two buttered-side down bread slices in the skillet over medium heat.
  • Top each bread slice with Swiss cheese, a cooked patty, caramelized onions, and then another slice of Swiss cheese.
  • Place the remaining two bread slices, buttered-side up, on top of the cheese.

Grill to Perfection:

  • Cook for 3-5 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and gooey.
  • Gently press down with a spatula if needed to ensure even grilling and melting.

Serve Immediately:

  • Carefully transfer the patty melts to a cutting board, slice in half if desired, and serve while hot.

Notes

For best results, use a heavy-bottomed skillet to ensure even cooking and browning. To make cleanup easier, you can cook the onions and patties in separate skillets or use a griddle for the assembly step. Adjust cooking times based on your preferred patty doneness and desired level of bread crispiness.