Description
This classic Patty Melt recipe features juicy ground beef patties topped with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese, all sandwiched between crispy rye bread slices spread with mayonnaise. Perfectly pan-fried until golden brown and melty, this hearty sandwich makes a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 2 medium onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 pound ground beef
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 8 slices rye bread (or your favorite sandwich bread)
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply golden and caramelized. Reduce heat to medium-low if they start to burn. Transfer onions to a plate and wipe skillet clean.
- Prepare Beef Patties: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Divide it into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty roughly the size of the bread slices.
- Cook Patties: Place the patties in the clean skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove patties to a plate and wipe the skillet clean again.
- Toast Bread Slices: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add 4 slices of bread and toast until golden brown. Remove 2 toasted slices, then flip the other 2 slices to toast the other side.
- Assemble Sandwiches: On the side of the bread currently in the skillet, place a slice of Swiss cheese, then add a cooked patty, a generous layer of caramelized onions, and another slice of cheese. Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on the untoasted side of the remaining toasted bread slices, then place these mayo sides atop the assembled sandwiches in the skillet.
- Grill Sandwiches: Turn heat to medium-low and cook the sandwiches for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bread is toasted evenly and the cheese has melted.
- Repeat Process: Remove finished sandwiches and repeat the toasting and assembling process with the remaining ingredients.
- Serve: Slice the sandwiches in half and serve immediately with chips or french fries for a classic meal experience.
Notes
- Caramelizing onions is a slow process that cannot be rushed; cooking them slowly at lower heat releases their natural sugars for maximum flavor.
- Wiping the skillet clean between cooking different ingredients prevents burning and preserves flavor.
- Cook assembled sandwiches at medium-low heat to toast evenly and melt cheese without burning the bread.
- Leftover grilled patty melts can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
