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  1. Food & Recipes
  2. Gated Content
  3. Classic Patty Melt

Classic Patty Melt

You'll never want a burger again.

By The Good Housekeeping Test KitchenPublished: Dec 18, 2019
Star FillStar FillStar FillStar FillHalf Star
4.7
3 Ratings
patty melt
Mike Garten
Yields:
4 serving(s)
Total Time:
20 mins
Arrow Circle Down IconJump to recipe

Step aside, cheeseburgers and grilled cheese. Meet the epic mashup of these two nostalgic diner meals: the patty melt.

Our classic sandwich includes flavor-packed ground beef, American and Swiss cheeses (for plenty of cheesy flavor and the perfect melty bite), and caramelized onions, between two slices of rye bread, that gets griddled in a hot pan. Our secret to the a beautiful golden brown crust is the mayo we spread on the outside of the bread before toasting. This ensures and even darker, more decadent outside to complement the gooey and sweet sandwich filling. 

While some think that this easy meal is just a burger on rye bread, the real difference between a patty melt and a cheeseburger is the way the two get cooked. The key to a patty melt is the way its gets crisped in a pan (like a grilled cheese), to bring together all of the flavors into every epic bite.

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb.

    ground beef chuck

  • Kosher salt and pepper

  • 1/3 cup

    mayonnaise

  • 8

    thin slices rye bread

  • 6

    thin slices Swiss cheese

  • 1 cup

    caramelized onions

  • 6

    thin slices American cheese

Directions

    1. Step 1Shape beef into 4 thin patties slightly larger than slices of bread. Heat large cast iron skillet on medium-high. Season patties with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook 2 minutes per side; transfer to a plate.
    2. Step 2Wipe out skillet and return to medium-low heat. Spread mayo on 1 side of each slice of bread. In 2 batches, place 2 slices bread mayo-side down in the skillet. Top each with 1½ slices Swiss cheese, a beef patty, caramelized onions, 1½ slices American cheese, and second slice of bread, mayo-side up. Place small skillet (wrapped in foil) on top of sandwiches to press and cook until bread is golden brown and crisp, 3 minutes per side.
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