Ah yes 😋 Patty Melt—the perfect mash-up of a burger and a grilled cheese. Crispy bread, juicy beef patty, melty cheese, and sweet caramelized onions. Absolute diner classic.
Classic Patty Melt
Serves: 2
Total time: ~25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best)
- Salt & black pepper
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter (plus more for bread)
- 4 slices rye bread (or sourdough)
- 4 slices Swiss cheese (or American / cheddar)
- Optional: 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Caramelize onions
- Melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add onions and cook 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and sweet.
- Remove and set aside.
- Cook patties
- Form beef into 2 thin patties slightly larger than the bread.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook in the same skillet over medium-high heat 3–4 minutes per side.
- Optional: splash of Worcestershire while cooking.
- Assemble sandwiches
- Butter one side of each bread slice.
- Place bread butter-side down in the skillet.
- Layer: cheese → patty → onions → cheese → bread (butter-side up).
- Grill
- Cook over medium-low heat 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
- Serve
- Slice in half and serve hot.
🔥 Pro Tips
- Thin patties are key—this isn’t a thick burger
- Swiss melts best, but American gives classic diner vibes
- Low heat = crispy bread without burning
- Let the onions get deep golden, not rushed
🧀 Tasty Variations
- Sauce: Add Thousand Island or burger sauce inside
- Spicy: Pepper jack cheese + grilled jalapeños
- Extra indulgent: Mix mayo + butter for spreading the bread
- Texas-style: Add sautéed mushrooms
If you want, I can give you a smash-style patty melt, a baked oven version, or a low-carb patty melt next 👌
