Description
Sizzling beef patties nestled between golden, buttery rye bread define this classic patty melt – a comforting American diner staple that blends juicy ground beef with melted Swiss cheese and caramelized onions. You’ll savor each hearty bite of this nostalgic sandwich that brings diner magic right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Meat:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 0.5 lb beef chuck
Bread and Cheese:
- 8 slices rye bread
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 slices American cheese
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 large onions
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Slice onions thinly and caramelize in vegetable oil over medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown and soft.
- Mince garlic and mix with ground beef, chuck, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Form mixture into 4 equal oval-shaped patties.
- Heat skillet to medium-high and cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 160°F, creating a nicely browned exterior.
- Butter one side of each rye bread slice thoroughly.
- In a clean skillet, place bread slice butter-side down, layer with Swiss and American cheese, cooked patty, and caramelized onions.
- Top with another buttered bread slice, butter-side up, and grill each sandwich for 3-4 minutes per side until bread turns crispy golden brown and cheese melts completely.
- Remove from skillet, let rest for 2 minutes, then slice diagonally and serve hot.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly and patiently to develop deep, sweet flavor without burning, which requires consistent medium-low heat and occasional stirring.
- Mix ground beef with Worcestershire sauce just before forming patties to ensure even seasoning and prevent overworking the meat, which can make burgers tough.
- Choose high-fat ground chuck for juicier patties that remain tender and flavorful during cooking, aiming for 80/20 meat-to-fat ratio.
- Toast rye bread on medium-low heat to achieve perfectly crispy exterior without burning, allowing cheese to melt simultaneously and create golden-brown crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 39-49 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg