Description
Enjoy a delicious Patty Melt with juicy beef patties, sweet caramelized onions, and melted Swiss cheese, all nestled between crispy rye bread. This comforting sandwich is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 4 slices of Swiss cheese (or American cheese, if preferred)
- 4 slices of rye bread (or your choice of bread)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: pickles or mustard for serving
Instructions
- Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil if you like, but the fat from the beef will usually suffice.
- While the skillet is heating, place the ground beef in a mixing bowl. Add the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. I usually go with about a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of pepper, but feel free to adjust to your taste.
- Gently mix the ingredients together with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can lead to a tough patty.
- Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape them into patties. I like to make them slightly larger than the bread, as they will shrink a bit while cooking.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onions. If theres not enough fat left from the beef, add a little butter or oil.
- Cook the onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. You want them to be golden brown and sweet. If they start to stick, you can add a splash of water or broth to deglaze the pan.
- Once the onions are done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside. You can keep them warm by covering them with a lid or placing them on a plate in a low oven.
- Now, its time to cook the patties! Increase the heat to medium-high and place the shaped patties in the skillet. You should hear a satisfying sizzle when they hit the pan.
- Cook the patties for about 3-4 minutes on one side without moving them. This will help create a nice crust.
- Flip the patties and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side. If youre using a meat thermometer, youre looking for an internal temperature of 160°F for medium doneness.
- In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty. Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt beautifully.
- While the cheese is melting, take the slices of rye bread and spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice. This will give the bread a lovely golden crust when grilled.
- Once the cheese has melted, remove the patties from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, place two slices of bread, buttered side down. On each slice, layer a patty, followed by a generous portion of the caramelized onions.
- Top each sandwich with another slice of bread, buttered side up. Press down gently to help everything stick together.
- Reduce the heat to medium and carefully flip the sandwiches after about 3-4 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
- Cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes, pressing down slightly with a spatula to ensure even grilling.
- Once both sides are golden brown and the cheese is gooey, remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for a minute. This helps the cheese set a bit, making it easier to cut.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the sandwiches in half diagonally. This not only makes them easier to eat but also showcases the delicious layers inside.
Notes
- Feel free to customize your Patty Melt with additional toppings like pickles or mustard for extra flavor.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the beef with a plant-based burger patty.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes