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These Classic Patty Melts are full of sautéed onions, a hamburger patty, swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on grilled rye bread.
Patty Melt Sandwich
This is classic food at it’s best. I might get some grief for saying this, but I’m just going to say it – I think this recipe is BETTER than a regular ol’ hamburger. I’ll take a Patty melt over any burger any day of the week!
Serve this sandwich up with some fries and a dill pickle and you’ve got yourself an easy meal that’s a little different than your typical burger!
Patty Melts recipe
- butter
- large onion
- ground beef
- Salt and pepper
- Swiss cheese
- Thousand Island Dressing
- Rye Bread
How to make Patty Melts
Time needed: 55 minutes
How to make Patty Melts
- Cook onions.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions. Give them a good stir to coat in the butter. Allow to cook for 10 minutes without stirring. With a spatula, flip the onions over so the bottoms is now on top. Allow to cook for an additional 10 minutes without stirring. Lower the heat to medium-low and stir the onions. Allow to cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until the onions are caramelized. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Shape meat into patties and brown patties.
Preheat a pan to high heat. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with the salt and pepper. Handle gently, mixing the seasoning into the meat. Divide and shape the meat into 4 patties. Place burgers in the pan and cook until the bottom is browned and easily releases from the pan. Carefully flip the patties and continue to cook to desired doneness. Transfer to a plate to rest.
- Assemble the sandwich.
Lay the bread out on wax paper. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Flip 4 slices of bread over and top with desired amount of Thousand Island salad dressing. Add a patty to the top of the dressing. Divide the onions between the 4 sandwiches. Top each sandwich with a slice of cheese and the remaining bread slices, butter side up.
- Brown each side of the sandwich.
Place sandwiches in a preheated non-stick pan or griddle. Cook until the bottom slice of bread is browned. Carefully flip the sandwich over and gently press down, cooking until the other side until is browned. Remove the sandwich to a serving plate and slice it in half. Serve with additional Thousand Island if desired.
Recipe Notes
- If you’re not a fan of rye bread, substitute sourdough bread in its place!
- For the best results, shape the patty to the same size and shape as the bread.
- In my opinion, this sandwich is best served with a side of coleslaw, fries, or potato chips – and a dill pickle on the side is a must! 😊
Patty Melts: FAQs
In my opinion, this sandwich is best served with a side of coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, fries, or potato chips – and a dill pickle on the side is a must! 😊
I think this tastes better fresh. However, the patties can be made ahead and kept chilled.
Cooled patty melts can be wrapped and placed in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Additionally, you can wrap the sandwiches in aluminum foil and place them in zip-top bags and freeze them for up to 1 month.
Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil. Then, reheat in a 375°F oven on a cooling rack placed in a rimmed baking sheet for 15 – 20 minutes. For the last 5 minutes or so of the reheating time, remove the aluminum foil so the bread can crisp up a bit. Additionally, you can microwave the sandwich, but it won’t be as crispy.
Sourdough bread would be the next best option!
These Classic Patty Melts are a family favorite! If you tried this recipe, let me know your thoughts down in the comments! On a side note, if you have any questions, leave those in the comments as well – I’ll try my best to answer you!
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Classic Patty Melts
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- Thousand Island Dressing, optional
- 8 slices Rye Bread
- Butter, for bread
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions. Give them a good stir to coat in the butter. Allow the onions to cook for 10 minutes without stirring. With a spatula, flip the onions over so the bottoms is now on top. Allow to cook for an additional 10 minutes without stirring. Lower the heat to medium-low and stir the onions. Allow to cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until the onions are caramelized. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Preheat a pan to high heat. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with the salt and pepper. Handle gently, mixing the seasoning into the meat. Divide and shape the meat into 4 patties. Place burgers in the pan and cook until the bottom is browned and easily releases from the pan. Carefully flip the patties and continue to cook to desired doneness. Transfer to a plate to rest.
- Lay the bread out on wax paper. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Flip 4 slices of bread over and top with the desired amount of Thousand Island salad dressing. Add a patty to the top of the dressing. Divide the onions between the 4 sandwiches. Top each sandwich with a slice of cheese and the remaining bread slices, butter side up.
- Place sandwiches in a preheated non-stick pan or griddle. Cook until the bottom slice of bread is browned. Carefully flip the sandwich over and gently press down, cooking until the other side until is browned. Remove the sandwich to a serving plate and slice it in half. Serve with additional Thousand Island if desired.
Notes
- If you’re not a fan of rye bread, substitute sourdough bread in its place!
- For the best results, shape the patty to the same size and shape as the bread.
- In my opinion, this sandwich is best served with a side of coleslaw, fries, or potato chips – and a dill pickle on the side is a must! 😊
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published on February 13, 2013. Updated on October 7, 2020.
I alogize, this isn’t an attack and the recipe is of course excellent, but this is not a classic patty melt. This is closer to a “Frisco Melt”, just sayin’.
Hi Jamie,
I pinned this one too! This is David's favorite sandwich and I've never made one. He'll be happy.
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
l LOVE your patty Melts. Thanks for your post.I will review it again.Recipes.
Congrats!! Your Patty Melts are featured in this weeks Manic Monday party. http://bobbiskozykitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/manic-monday-party-28.html
I have never tried a patty melt! After seeing yours, I really want one now! Thanks for sharing at The Gunny Sack!
Just had one of these while on vacation! It is my favorite type of "burger" Thanks for linking up to the In and Out of the Kitchen party!
See you next week! Cynthia http://FeedingBig.com