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Patty Melt

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posted: 05/25/24

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

A cross between a grilled cheese sandwich and a hamburger, this patty melt is absolutely delicious. This sandwich recipe makes for perfect comfort food at home.

stack of patty melt sandwiches with french fries sitting in front

Sometimes all you need is comfort food, and is there anything more comforting than melty cheese. While there are many vehicles to get that melty cheese, I would have to argue that pairing it with a hamburger patty and carbs is top-notch. You will love how easy this delicious patty melt recipe comes together.

How to Make a Patty Melt

These patty melts come together in a few simple steps and are the perfect lunch or dinner. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Make the patties. Mix together the beef and seasonings. Shape into four patties that are roughly the size and shape of the pieces of bread.
  • Sauté the onions. Melt the butter in a large skillet and cook the onions until they are translucent, about five to seven minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Cook the patties. Add the seasoned patties to the skillet and cook until desired doneness, about two minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Put the sandwiches together. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Spread sauce, if using, on the other side of each piece. To the side with the sauce, add a slice of Swiss cheese, then the burger patties to each partial sandwich. Top with caramelized onions and add a piece of cheddar cheese. Top with a piece of bread, the sauce side touching the cheese and the buttered side up.
  • Cook the sandwiches. Cook the sandwiches for two minutes on each side in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Enjoy!
overhead of four ground beef patties to make patty melts

Bread For Patty Melts

Patty melts are traditionally made with rye bread for its distinct flavor and hearty texture. Rye bread adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that complements the savory beef patty and melted cheese. It also is fairly sturdy and can hold up to the juicy patty and melty cheese. Sourdough bread, marbled rye, or Texas toast would also work.

stack of patty melt sandwiches with french fries sitting in front

Adding Sauce

I think this recipe is amazing on its own, but if you want to add another layer of flavor, consider adding a sauce. A few of my sauce recipes would be perfect with this great melty sandwich. I would suggest going with BBQ Sauce this amazing Chick Fil A Sauce, or my garlic aioli.

BBQ Sauce Recipe

This BBQ Sauce Recipe is easy to throw together and absolutely delicious! Fast to make and with ingredients you already have on hand, you are going to make this homemade bbq sauce all the time.
spoon dipping into a mason jar full of easy homemade bbq sauce

Variations

  • Change up the meat: Use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
  • Make a Mushroom and Swiss Patty Melt: Add mushrooms and cook them when you cook the onions. BBQ sauce would be particularly great addition here.
  • Add slices of cooked bacon: This would be an amazing addition and you could cook up the bacon in the air fryer while the patties cook.
  • Mix up the cheese: American cheese, provolone, pepper jack, or Gouda can be used.
stack of patty melt sandwiches with french fries sitting in front

What to Serve With Patty Melts

Choose one of these delicious sides to go with your homemade patty melt!

If you try this patty melt recipe or any of my other recipes, let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!

stack of patty melt sandwiches with french fries sitting in front
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Patty Melt

Serves: 4 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
A cross between a grilled cheese sandwich and a hamburger, this patty melt is absolutely delicious. This sandwich recipe makes for perfect comfort food at home.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef (453.592 grams)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (if using table salt, use half)
  • 3/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for the bread
  • 1/2 small yellow onion sliced thin
  • 1/4 cup sauce optional, see suggestions in the post
  • 8 slices rye bread
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, mix together the beef, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and ground pepper. Shape into four patties that are roughly the size and shape of the pieces of bread. (See photo in the post.)
    1 pound ground beef, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, and sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the onions from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Set aside.
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 small yellow onion
  • Add the patties to the skillet and cook until desired doneness, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Place four pieces of bread on a cutting board. Butter one side of each piece of bread, this is the side that will go face down in the skillet. Spread half a tablespoon of sauce, if using, on each piece. Then add a slice of Swiss cheese to each piece. Add the patties to each partial sandwich. Top with onions, add a piece of cheddar cheese. With the remaining four pieces of bread, add another half tablespoon of sauce, if using, to one side and butter to the other. Place it sauce side down on the in-progress sandwiches.
    8 slices rye bread, 4 slices Swiss cheese, 4 slices cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup sauce
  • Place a clean skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sandwiches and cover the skillet. Cook the sandwiches for 2 minutes on each side.
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
stack of patty melt sandwiches with french fries sitting in front

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Patty Melt

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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