Description
Dive into the comforting flavors of a Classic Diner Style Patty Melt With Caramelized Onions, featuring juicy beef patties and sweet, jammy onions. This nostalgic sandwich is a culinary hug that brings the diner experience right to your kitchen!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
- 2 large sweet or yellow onions (Vidalia or Walla Walla recommended)
- 4 slices rye bread
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon oil (canola or vegetable)
- Beef broth or water (for deglazing)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Thinly slice the onions about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-low heat.
- Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt, stirring to coat them in the butter/oil mixture.
- Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally for 30-45 minutes until they soften and turn a rich, dark brown. If they start to stick, add a splash of beef broth or water.
- Once caramelized, remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Patties: While the onions are caramelizing, gently form the ground beef into four thin patties, slightly larger than the slices of rye bread. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook the Patties: In the same skillet, add a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the patties and cook for 3-5 minutes per side until desired doneness. Remove the cooked patties from the skillet.
- Assemble and Grill the Patty Melts: Lightly butter one side of each slice of rye bread. Place two slices of bread, butter-side down, in the skillet over medium heat. Top each slice with a slice of Swiss cheese.
- On one cheese-topped slice, place a cooked beef patty, then pile a generous spoonful of caramelized onions on top, followed by another slice of Swiss cheese.
- Carefully place the other cheese-topped slice on top, cheese-side down. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve Immediately: Remove from the skillet, slice in half if desired, and serve hot.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Patience is key when caramelizing onions; don't rush the process for the best flavor. Consider adding a spread of Russian or Thousand Island dressing for extra flavor.