Caramelized Onion Patty Melts
Patty Melts are a mash-up between a grilled cheese sandwich and a cheeseburger. Customize a homemade version with your favorite toppings and condiments.
When I was a kid, and my family would go out to dinner, my Mom would always order a patty melt if it was on the menu. We all have our favorite menu items and often order the same thing, but believe me when I say, this was absolutely my Mom’s favorite. Another favorite diner dish my Mom loved was these diner-style breakfast and onions, which I serve often.
I really never understood why, but I do wish I had made this dish for my Mom. She would have loved it.
All recipes are tested in my Florida kitchen exclusively by me.
Why you’ll love this classic sandwich recipe
- The bread gets crispy and golden brown from the butter.
- Sweet caramelized onions balance the savory meat.
- No need to turn on the oven; this is an easy stovetop recipe.
- Melty cheese brings the whole sandwich together.
- Reminiscent of 50s-style diner food.
- With advance prep work, these patty melts can be on the table in under an hour.
- Make just as many sandwiches as you need, no waste.
What ingredients are in a patty melt?
This easy recipe is made with readily available ingredients. You can customize it with the type of cheese and/ or bread you use. I’m not a fan of rye or sourdough so I used slices of a round Italian loaf.
- Butter
- Onions
- Ground Beef
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt and Pepper
- Rye Bread – or sourdough
- Swiss Cheese – or use your favorite
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What makes a patty melt different than a burger?
A patty melt is not just a beef patty on bread. There are some key ingredients for a patty melt, but you can switch them up to your liking. Think of it like a grilled cheese with a hamburger patty and caramelized onions. Typically made with Swiss cheese and rye bread instead of a traditional hamburger bun.
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Timesaving Tips
Read through this section to see how to make this patty melt recipe easier and get dinner on the table quickly.
- Form the burger patties into an oval so they fit the shape of the bread.
- Form the burgers, slice the onions, and make the sauce up to a day in advance. Then, melt butter in the skillet and start cooking.
- A large pan, such as a cast-iron skillet or griddle, is best for making patty melts.
Make it a meal
Serve these delicious patty melts with other diner-style dishes to complete the meal and make dinner feel like you’re in a 50s-style diner.
While frozen French fries are an easy option, sides like steak fries, sweet potato fries, creamy coleslaw, or restaurant-style onion rings are classic diner sides for caramelized onion patty melts. Enjoy a strawberry milkshake and a slice of peanut butter pie or fresh blueberry pie.
How do you build a patty melt sandwich?
In a skillet with butter over medium heat, place the buttered side of the bread down and slather it with the mustard sauce. Layer a slice of cheese, the cooked hamburger patty, a generous amount of caramelized onions, another slice of cheese, and the other slice of bread with mustard sauce on the bottom and butter on the top.
Patty Melt Variations
The classic sandwich can be customized by substituting Thousand Island dressing for the mustard burger sauce. Monterey Jack cheese melts well and would be a delicious choice instead of Swiss. Add a bit of garlic powder to the ground beef mixture for more flavor.
What is the best cheese to use for a patty melt?
Swiss is the classic cheese choice; however, Cheddar or American cheese are delicious substitutes. They all melt well.
Can you make a patty melt on a flat griddle?
Yes, and it’s probably easier to flip the sandwiches if you do.
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The Best Classic Patty Melt with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 ½ medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
- ½ pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 slices rye or sourdough bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese or Cheddar cheese
Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and paprika. Set aside until ready to build the sandwiches.½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Cook the Onions
- In a large skillet, preferably cast iron, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until they are soft, translucent, and starting to brown.2 tablespoons butter, divided, 1 ½ medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
- While the onions cook, make the burger patties in the shape of the bread. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Divide into 2 portions.½ pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- When the onions are done, remove them to a plate. Wipe the skillet clean with paper towels. Cook the patties in the same skillet over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through to your desired temperature. Remove the patties from the skillet and wipe the skillet clean.
- In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add one slice of bread, butter side down, sauce side up. Add 1 slice of cheese, the cooked hamburger patty, a heaping amount of caramelized onions, a second slice of cheese, and another slice of bread, sauce side down, buttered side up. Repeat with the second sandwich.4 slices rye or sourdough bread, 8 slices Swiss cheese or Cheddar cheese
- Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3 to 4 minutes. Gently flip the sandwiches and cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
