A Patty Melt is the ultimate cross between a burger and a grilled cheese sandwich — juicy beef patties layered with caramelized onions and melted cheese, all tucked between crisp, buttery rye bread. This old-school diner favorite is rich, hearty, and pure comfort food that never goes out of style.
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1½ pounds ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
1 large onion, thinly sliced
8 slices rye bread (or sourdough if preferred)
8 slices Swiss or American cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for grilling
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Caramelize the onions: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring often, for about 15–20 minutes until the onions turn soft, golden, and sweet. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and set aside.
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Prepare the patties: Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and shape them into oval patties slightly larger than your bread slices since they’ll shrink while cooking. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Cook the patties: In a skillet or griddle, cook the patties over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side or until browned and cooked to your liking. Transfer to a plate and let them rest briefly.
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Assemble the sandwiches: Lay out the bread slices. On four of them, place a slice of cheese, one cooked patty, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, another slice of cheese, and then top with the remaining bread.
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Grill the sandwiches: Melt butter on a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches on the skillet and cook until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese begins to melt — about 3 minutes per side. Press gently with a spatula to help everything stick together and the cheese melt evenly.
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Serve hot: Slice each patty melt in half and serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey.
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 640
Protein: 38g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fat: 42g
Fiber: 3g
Sodium: 920mg
Tips:
For deeper flavor, use a mix of onions — yellow and sweet varieties caramelize beautifully.
If you like spice, add a few dashes of hot sauce or a spread of spicy mustard before grilling.
Rye bread gives the sandwich a traditional tang, but sourdough or Texas toast also work well.
To make it extra crispy, spread mayonnaise instead of butter on the outside before grilling.
Pair your patty melts with classic sides like crispy fries, coleslaw, or a pickle spear.
