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A classic patty melt nails the sweet spot between a cheeseburger and a grilled sandwich. Beef, caramelized onions, and gooey cheese smashed between crispy rye bread. It’s messy in the best way and hits every salty, savory craving. This is diner-style comfort food at its best.
Our Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich is another one-skillet wonder packed with steak, peppers, and melty cheese, no diner required.
Here’s Why This Patty Melt Recipe Works
Toasted rye = crisp factor: Buttered rye gets toasted on both sides so it holds up under all that gooey cheese.
Double cheese: Two layers of Swiss melt around the patty for full coverage and serious stretch.
Caramelized onions: Low and slow cooking gives you jammy, golden onions that taste like pure umami.
Proper patty technique: Shaped to fit the bread, seasoned just right, and seared until browned and juicy.
If messy, saucy sandwiches are your thing, you’ll love our Sloppy Joes. A classic weeknight favorite that never goes out of style.
Recipe Tips
Shape the beef patties: Form each burger patty a little larger than the bread. They’ll shrink to sandwich size in the skillet.
Don’t rush the onions: They need time. Keep the heat medium-low and stir occasionally. Browning, not burning. And if you’re all about caramelized onions, our Caramelized Onion and Cheese Burger is another go-to.
Toast the inside first: Toasting the inside of each slice before assembly keeps the bread from getting soggy and helps melt the cheese faster.
Grill low and slow: Medium heat is your friend here. You want that griddled sandwich golden and the cheese fully melted.
Retro Griddled Sandwich
The classic patty melt is pure diner gold without the greasy spoon. A griddled beef and cheese sandwich with caramelized onions, toasty rye, and melty cheese. Make one and see why it never went out of style.
Craving more hot, cheesy comfort? Don’t miss our Hot Meatloaf Sandwich.
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Patty Melt
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 4 slices rye bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese, or sharp cheddar
- 3 to 4 tablespoons butter, divided (for skillet and bread)
Instructions
Caramelize the onions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden. About 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Patty Melts
- Divide the ground beef into 2 equal portions. Shape them into logs, then flatten into patties a little wider than the bread (to allow for shrinkage). Season both sides with salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the patties for 3–4 minutes per side or until they’re done to your liking. Set aside.
- Butter one side of each bread slice. In a clean skillet, toast them buttered side down until golden. Set aside, toasted side up.To assemble, layer 2 slices of cheese, a burger patty, and caramelized onions onto two slices of bread. Top with 2 more slices of cheese and the remaining bread, toasted side in, buttered side out.Wipe out the skillet if needed and melt a bit more butter over medium heat. Cook the sandwiches for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Add more butter if the pan looks dry.
- Serve hot, with pickles and chips or a simple green salad.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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