Description
The ultimate comfort food with a twist! Savor layers of juicy beef, gooey cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a creamy, tangy secret sauce between crispy, buttery bread.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 1 lb (80/20 for juicy patties)
- Rye bread: 8 slices
- Swiss cheese: 4 slices
- Cheddar cheese: 4 slices
- Butter: 4 tbsp, softened
- Yellow onion: 2, thinly sliced
- Mayonnaise: 1/3 cup
- Ketchup: 2 tbsp
- Mustard: 1 tbsp
- Hot sauce: 1 tsp (optional)
- Garlic powder: 1/2 tsp
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Secret Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste and set aside. - Caramelize the Onions:
Heat a skillet over low-medium heat and add a drizzle of oil. Cook sliced onions with a pinch of salt, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized (about 20 minutes). Remove and set aside. - Cook the Patties:
Shape ground beef into 4 patties slightly larger than the bread slices. Season with salt and pepper. Cook in the same skillet over medium heat, about 3-4 minutes per side, until your preferred doneness. Remove and set aside. - Assemble the Sandwiches:
Butter one side of each bread slice. Spread the secret sauce generously on the unbuttered side. Layer Swiss cheese, a beef patty, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and top with another slice of bread (buttered side out). - Grill the Patty Melts:
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing lightly with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. - Serve Hot:
Slice each patty melt in half and serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Caramelized Onions are Key:
Take your time when caramelizing the onions. Cooking them slowly over low-medium heat brings out their natural sweetness, which is essential for the perfect flavor balance in a patty melt. - Bread Buttering Matters:
Always butter the outside of the bread slices generously. This step ensures a crispy, golden crust, elevating the texture of your patty melt. - Customize the Secret Sauce:
Adjust the sauce to suit your taste preferences! Add more hot sauce for heat, relish for sweetness, or extra mustard for tang. The secret sauce is the flavor-packed star of this dish.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 20 min