Classic Patty Melt with Caramelized Onions
Classic Patty Melt with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions
- 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Patty Melts
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 8 slices rye bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- 1
Begin by caramelizing the onions. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions, 1/2 teaspoon of granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to coat the onions.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and very tender. If they start to stick, add a tablespoon of water to deglaze the pan. Once caramelized, remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 25 min
- 3
While the onions are caramelizing, prepare the burger patties. In a medium bowl, gently mix the ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Do not overmix. Divide the meat into 4 equal portions and form them into oval-shaped patties, slightly larger than your rye bread slices, as they will shrink during cooking.
⏱️ 8 min
- 4
Heat the same skillet (no need to clean it) over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness. Remove the cooked patties from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 8 min
- 5
Assemble the patty melts. Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each slice of rye bread. Place 4 slices of bread, butter-side down, in the skillet over medium heat. Top each slice with one slice of Swiss cheese, then a cooked patty, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, and another slice of Swiss cheese.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Place the remaining 4 slices of rye bread, butter-side up, on top of the cheese. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is melted and gooey. You may need to cook them in batches if your skillet isn't large enough.
⏱️ 8 min
- 7
Carefully remove the patty melts from the skillet, slice in half if desired, and serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Patty Melt with Caramelized Onions
For the Caramelized Onions
- 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Patty Melts
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 8 slices rye bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- 1
Begin by caramelizing the onions. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions, 1/2 teaspoon of granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to coat the onions.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and very tender. If they start to stick, add a tablespoon of water to deglaze the pan. Once caramelized, remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 25 min - 3
While the onions are caramelizing, prepare the burger patties. In a medium bowl, gently mix the ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Do not overmix. Divide the meat into 4 equal portions and form them into oval-shaped patties, slightly larger than your rye bread slices, as they will shrink during cooking.
⏱️ 8 min - 4
Heat the same skillet (no need to clean it) over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness. Remove the cooked patties from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 8 min - 5
Assemble the patty melts. Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each slice of rye bread. Place 4 slices of bread, butter-side down, in the skillet over medium heat. Top each slice with one slice of Swiss cheese, then a cooked patty, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, and another slice of Swiss cheese.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Place the remaining 4 slices of rye bread, butter-side up, on top of the cheese. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is melted and gooey. You may need to cook them in batches if your skillet isn't large enough.
⏱️ 8 min - 7
Carefully remove the patty melts from the skillet, slice in half if desired, and serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 min