The Best Patty Melt Recipe

When you are craving a burger, but want something different than a standard cheeseburger, make this delicious Patty Melt recipe. It is a simple and easy to prepare sandwich that is bursting with flavor in every bite. 

A mouthwatering combination of a ground beef patty topped with cheese, caramelized onions and savory burger sauce, layered between two pieces of grilled bread is hard to resist. It is the perfect sandwich to make in the middle of summer when you get tired of making traditional burgers. 

However instead of using a plain ground beef patty, the meat is seasoned with with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce which forms the base of the sandwich. Add gooey, melted Monterey jack cheese, and you have a delicious patty melt that is even better than the one you order at your favorite diner. 

Although the secret to this patty melt’s incredible flavor lies in the homemade burger sauce. The slightly tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the sweetness of caramelized onions.

Then instead of serving the burger on a bun, the burger is served between two slices of bread. Although not just any variety of bread. 

Rye and sourdough bread are the preferred bread of choice. This is because they are both sturdy enough to hold the ingredients and they also adds an extra layer of flavor to the sandwich.

What Is A Patty Melt?

A patty melt is a popular diner sandwich that combines elements of a hamburger with all of the goodness of a grilled cheese sandwich. It consists of a well-seasoned, juicy beef patty, melted cheese, caramelized onions, and a flavorful sauce, all sandwiched between two slices of sturdy, toasted bread.

It is one of the those sandwiches that once you taste it that you will want to make it over and over again.

The Difference Between A Patty Melt and A Cheeseburger

While both a patty melt and a cheeseburger feature a beef patty and cheese, there are a few key differences in the ingredients. A patty melt uses sliced bread, often rye or sourdough, instead of a burger bun, and includes caramelized onions and a special burger sauce.

Although a cheeseburger also has a beef patty topped with cheese, there are several different toppings that can be added to make each burger unique. Of course you can add the standard lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle to a cheeseburger.

Or you can get more creative and make a Peanut Butter Bacon Burger. However when it comes to making a Patty Melt, the traditional toppings includes cheese, caramelized onions and a special burger sauce.

Best Bread To Use

As mentioned above rye and sourdough are often the varieties of bread used to make this famous sandwich. However you could also use slices of French breads as an alternative, as this variety of bread also has a sturdy structure that can hold up to the weight and moisture of the other ingredients.

What Sauce is Used On A Patty Melt?

The sauce used on a patty melt is typically consists of a flavorful blend of ingredients that you most likely already have in your kitchen.

All that you need is mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and ketchup. Then stir it all together and you have your special sauce.

This easy to make homemade burger sauce adds a tangy, savory element to the sandwich, balancing out the richness of the beef, cheese and the sweetness of the caramelized onions perfectly!

How To Caramelize Onions

Adding caramelized onions to the burger is a key component of a patty melt, as it adds a touch of sweetness to the sandwich. However the key to making caramelized onions is to cook them slowly over low heat. 

This slow cooking process allows the natural sugars to break down and caramelize without burning the onions themselves. It takes some time, but once you taste them you will understand why they are so good!

The Keys To Assembling A Patty Melt

Assembling a patty melt is all about layering the ingredients in the right order. Begin by buttering the bread slices on one side. Then spread the burger sauce on the other side.

Add a slice of cheese on top of the sauce then place the cooked beef patty on top of the cheese. Top the patty with the caramelized onions and another slice of cheese. 

Finally top with sandwich with the bread, butter side up. Then place the entire sandwich on the grill and within a few minutes you will have the best tasting patty melt that you have ever had!

Possible Recipe Variations

There are numerous ways to customize a patty melt to suit your preferences and make it uniquely yours. You can experiment with different types of meat, such as turkey, chicken, or even plant-based patties for a vegetarian option. 

If you want to make this for breakfast, you might also consider using a spicy sausage patty for an extra kick. However, there are other ways that you can customize your sandwich with just a few simple ingredients. 

Cheese: Swap the cheese for your favorite variety, like Swiss, cheddar, or pepper jack, to create a new flavor every time.

Burger Sauce: Instead of making the traditional homemade burger sauce, use Thousand Island or Russian dressing for a quick and easy alternative. 

Toppings: You could also incorporate additional toppings, like sautéed mushrooms, avocado, or bacon, to elevate your patty melt even further. Don’t be afraid to get creative and mix and match ingredients to discover your perfect patty melt combination.

Now that you have all the information you need about how to make the best patty melt recipe for two, it’s time to grab the ingredients and get cooking! Give this recipe a try and treat yourself and a loved one to a fantastic, restaurant-quality meal right in the comfort of your own home. 

The Best Patty Melt Recipe For Two

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Burger sauce:

• 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
• 2 tsp Dill Pickle Relish
• 2 tbsp Ketchup
• 1 tsp Mustard

Caramelized Onions:

• 1 small onion, cut in half then sliced thin
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Burger:

• 1/2 lb. ground beef, 80/20 preferred
• 1 tsp yellow mustard, divided
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/8 tsp. Kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
• 4 slices Rye or Sourdough bread
• 4 slices Monterey jack cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, relish and ketchup. Cover and store in the refrigerator while you make the caramelized onions.

Place a skillet over medium-low heat. *For best results, be sure to caramelize the onions for the patty melt over low and slow heat.

Add the butter to the skillet and once it melts add the sliced onions, red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.

Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until onions are caramelized, approximately 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and transfer onions to a bowl.

Place the ground beef in a bowl and add salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Mix lightly and then divide the meat into two and form two patties. Be sure to indent the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent the center of the burger from forming a dome when cooked.

Rub the yellow mustard on the outside surface of the formed patties. Adding mustard creates a nice crust on the burger and helps lock in their juices. 

Grilling The Burgers

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Place burger patties in the hot skillet and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the burgers over and cook for another 3 minutes for a medium done burger. It is always best to check doneness with an instant read digital thermometer.

Butter four pieces of the bread. Then spread half of the burger sauce on the opposite side of two pieces of bread and place the two slices, butter side down in a skillet.

Then, add a slice of cheese on top of the bread. Place a burger patty on top of the cheese then divide the onions and place them on each patty.

Add the final piece of cheese on top. Spread the remaining burger sauce on the remaining two pieces of bread, opposite side of the butter. Place the bread, butter side up, on top of the sandwich.

Turn skillet heat to medium-high and cook until bottom bread is nice and golden. Then, carefully flip the sandwich over and grill the other side until golden and the cheese has melted.

The satisfying combination of juicy beef, gooey cheese, caramelized onions, and flavorful sauce sandwiched between crispy, toasted bread is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. So go ahead and indulge in this delightfully tasty recipe! It might just become your favorite!

Enjoy! Mary

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