A patty melt is a grilled sandwich combining a smashed beef patty, caramelized onions, and melted Swiss cheese between buttery rye bread. Its defining trait is the contrast of crispy, buttered exterior and warm, melted cheese interior.
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Thinly slice the yellow onion.
Add the sliced onions to a pan with 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook slowly on low heat for about 40 minutes until they are tender, jammy, and caramelized.
While the onions cook, form the ground beef into a patty. Season generously with salt.
Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add the vegetable oil.
Place the patty in the hot skillet and smash it down, but not too thin.
Cook for 3 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove the patty from the skillet and set aside.
Allow the skillet to cool down slightly. Butter one side of each slice of rye bread with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
Place one slice of bread, butter-side down, in the skillet. Layer with two slices of Swiss cheese, the cooked burger patty, the caramelized onions, and the remaining two slices of Swiss cheese.
Top with the second slice of bread, butter-side up.
Toast the sandwich over medium-low heat, flipping as needed, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
Remove from the pan, slice in half, and serve immediately.
Caramelized onions keep refrigerated for 3–4 days; reheat gently before using. The assembled patty melt is best eaten immediately after grilling; leftovers can be wrapped and chilled for 1 day, then briefly reheated in a skillet.
A patty melt is a sandwich served on grilled rye bread with caramelized onions and cheese, while a burger uses a bun. The patty melt is grilled like a panini, creating a crispy, buttery exterior.
Caramelizing onions typically takes 20–30 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they're deep golden brown and sweet.
Caramelized onions can be made 1–2 days ahead and refrigerated. Assemble and grill the sandwich fresh for the best texture and melted cheese.
Yes, smash and cook the patty in a skillet until browned and cooked through, then layer it with caramelized onions and cheese before grilling the sandwich.
Use deli-style or marble rye bread with good structural integrity so it doesn't fall apart when grilled. Avoid thin-sliced sandwich rye.
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