Description
Juicy beef patties nestled between golden, buttery rye bread define this mouthwatering Classic Patty Melt. Caramelized onions and melted Swiss cheese elevate this nostalgic American diner favorite, promising a comforting bite that satisfies deep cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Cheese and Bread:
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 slices rye bread
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) butter
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize onions in a buttered skillet over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown and soft.
- Meanwhile, form ground beef into thin rectangular patties that match the bread shape, seasoning both sides with salt and pepper.
- Cook patties in the same skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely browned and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Immediately layer Swiss cheese on top of each patty, allowing it to melt slightly from the residual heat.
- Without cleaning the skillet, butter the rye bread slices and toast them until golden brown and crispy on both sides.
- Layer the caramelized onions onto one slice of toasted bread, then carefully place the cheese-topped beef patty directly on the onions.
- Top with the second slice of toasted bread, pressing gently to compress the sandwich.
- Cut diagonally and serve immediately while cheese is still warm and melted, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Caramelize onions low and slow to develop deep, sweet flavor without burning, which can make them bitter.
- Use a blend of ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juiciest, most flavorful patties that stay moist during cooking.
- Toast bread in residual butter and beef drippings for extra richness and maximized flavor infusion into the bread.
- Swap rye bread with gluten-free sourdough or multigrain bread to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining similar texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 630 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg