The patty melt is a beloved classic that blends the best of a burger and a grilled cheese sandwich into one mouthwatering meal. With a juicy beef patty, melted cheese, and caramelized onions, all sandwiched between slices of buttery, toasted rye bread, the patty melt is comfort food at its finest. This savory dish has been a staple in diners and burger joints for decades, and it’s no surprise why—it’s delicious, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make at home.
The foundation of a patty melt is a perfectly seasoned beef patty, usually made from ground beef that’s formed into a thick, juicy patty. While some versions of the dish may feature other meats, beef is the traditional choice. The patty is grilled or seared to perfection, achieving a crispy, browned exterior while maintaining a tender and juicy interior.
What sets a patty melt apart from a standard burger is the addition of caramelized onions. These onions are cooked low and slow until they turn golden brown and sweet, adding depth and flavor to the sandwich. They’re a key component, bringing a rich, savory element that complements the beef and cheese.
Speaking of cheese, Swiss cheese is the classic choice for a patty melt. Its nutty, mild flavor melts perfectly and pairs wonderfully with the savory beef and onions. The cheese is melted over the hot patty, ensuring a gooey, cheesy bite in every mouthful.
The sandwich is then assembled on slices of rye bread, which is lightly buttered and toasted to golden perfection. The rye bread adds a unique flavor that sets the patty melt apart from other sandwiches, making it the perfect vehicle for all those rich, savory flavors.
Whether served with a side of crispy fries, a pickle, or a simple salad, a patty melt is a satisfying meal that hits all the right notes. It’s the perfect combination of savory beef, melted cheese, and crispy, buttery bread, making it a timeless favorite that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 200 grams ground beef 80% lean for optimal juiciness
- 2 slices rye bread buttered on the outside
- 1 slice Swiss cheese or use cheddar, if preferred
- 1/2 cup caramelized onions slow-cooked to enhance sweetness
- 1 tbsp butter for grilling
Instructions
- Form the ground beef into a patty and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the butter.
- Grill the patty until cooked to your liking, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove the patty and place a slice of cheese on top.
- In the same skillet, add the buttered rye bread slices, and warm them slightly.
- Place the patty with melted cheese on one slice of bread.
- Spoon caramelized onions over the patty, then top with the second slice of bread.
- Grill the sandwich until the bread is golden brown on both sides and the cheese is fully melted.
Nutrition
I don’t understand the hype. The recipe was okay, but nothing extraordinary. The onions were too sweet for my taste.
This patty melt is so delicious! I made it with cheddar and it turned out amazing. My family loved it! 😊
Why is everyone saying to use Swiss cheese?? Cheddar is way better! Just my opinion.
Meh, my friend said it was good, I thought it was just ok. Just a sandwich after all.
Rye bread is too hard! I don’t get it. Why not use white bread? Way yummier. Just sayin’.
Not sure what the big deal is… it was okay but honestly, I’ve had better sandwiches. The meat was a bit greasy for my taste.
This patty melt is amazing! The caramelized onions add such a great flavor! Definitely my new favorite.
This sandwich is my jam! I’ve added mushrooms too, makes it even better.
Why is everyone raving about this? Didn’t taste all that special to me. My sandwich is better. LOL
Too greasy for my taste. Might skip the butter next time.
Perfect combo of flavors! Yum!
Yum! My kids loved these. Easy and fun to make together! 👩🍳👨🍳
So glad to hear that! My kids loved making it too. 🥰
Simple and tasty! Can I use any bread? Really want to try with sourdough.
This was amazing! The burger was juicy and the onions added so much flavor. Will make again!
Sounds good, but my burger didn’t turn out right. Too greasy or something. Maybe I did something wrong?
I’m glad you liked it! The caramelized onions really do make a big difference. Did you add any spices?
Not sure if I’m sold on the rye bread. I usually use regular white and it works just fine. 🤷♂️
I followed the recipe but it turned out dry. Maybe my beef was too lean? 🤔
Idk, my burger was also dry once. Maybe add some liquids? Or more onions? 🤷♂️
Yeah, using lean beef can make it drier. Maybe try 80% next time? It helps a lot!
I mean, it’s just a burger with cheese and onions?? I don’t get the hype.
Just okay.
I had no idea what a patty melt was until today. Made this one for lunch, and now I’m obsessed! 😍
YUM! I used cheddar instead of Swiss and it was still delicious. Who needs fancy cheese?
My grandma used to make something like this, but with turkey. Got my mouth watering just thinking about it. Nostalgia!
IDK, maybe it’s just me, but the bread got too soggy. Is that normal? I’m not sure I did it right.
I had the same issue the first time! Just take the bread off earlier, it should be crusty, not soggy! Good luck!
Soggy bread is kinda normal if you don’t grill it long enough. Make sure to toast it really good! Might need more time on the skillet next time.
Delicious! My husband is asking for seconds. Can’t complain here, this is a winner! 🥳
I forgot to caramelize onions, used raw instead. Taste was off. Follow recipes! 🙄
The steps were easy to follow, but my sandwich ended up a soggy mess. Did I not grill it long enough or something?
So good! My kids loved it too! Super easy to make and now they wanna help cook! 😊
This is the best patty melt I’ve ever made! The caramelized onions add such a great sweetness. Thx for sharing!
YUM!!! This recipe took me to flavor town! I swapped the cheese for pepper jack and it rocked!
Glad you loved it! Pepper jack is a fun twist! Makes it extra spicy, yum! 😋
Patty melt? More like patty fail 🤷♂️. Didn’t turn out how I expected.
This sounds great but I prefer my patty melts with no onions. Is that okay? LOL. Still giving it a shot. 4 stars!
This was absolutely delicious! The caramelized onions made it so sweet and tasty. Will make again!
Delicious! My kids loved it, even my picky eater! Will make again!
It’s good, but I think it could use more cheese. Just didn’t feel cheesy enough for me.
Made this for my hubby, he ate two falls! ❤️
Too much butter for my taste, I think I’d skip it next time. 😖
This recipe is amazing! The caramelized onions add such a rich flavor, I can’t believe I never tried a patty melt before. 5 stars!
Totally agree! The caramelized onions really do make a difference. Have you tried adding some jalapeños for a kick? 😋
Are you sure beef should be cooked that long? I always heard only 2 mins. Must be juicy!
I think 3-4 mins is just right! If you want juicy beef, gotta cook it long enough! 🤤
2 mins? Nah, that’s too quick! You gotta let it cook so it’s not raw inside. 🤔
Yum! I did it with cheddar and it was soooo good! My kids loved it too. Gonna make this again for sure!
I just don’t see the point of Swiss cheese. Cheddar is king! Changed it up and was much happier.
I followed the recipe, but my patty turned out dry. Maybe I overcooked? Shoulda checked the times better.
So I made this with turkey instead of beef and it was… not the same, lol. But I like it still.