Description
This Classic Patty Melt recipe features a juicy ground beef patty topped with caramelized sweet onions and melted Swiss cheese, all sandwiched between buttery toasted bread. A perfect blend of savory and tangy flavors, this hearty sandwich is cooked on the stovetop for a crispy, golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Onions
- 1 sweet yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
For the Patty
- 8 ounces 90/10 ground beef
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sandwich
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- Mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large cast-iron skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly for about 25 minutes until they become soft and golden brown. In the last few minutes, stir in 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to add a slight tang. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Beef Patties: Shape the ground beef into two equal patties and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Using the same cast-iron skillet, cook the patties over medium heat for approximately 3 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove patties from skillet and keep warm.
- Prepare the Bread for Toasting: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt. Butter one side of each slice of sandwich bread thoroughly; this side will make contact with the skillet for a golden, toasted finish.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: On the non-buttered side of two bread slices, layer the ingredients in the following order: a slice of Swiss cheese, the cooked beef patty, caramelized onions, another slice of Swiss cheese, and then top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out. Optionally, spread mustard on the bread before assembling if desired.
- Toast the Patty Melts: Place each assembled sandwich back into the skillet over medium-low heat. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing slightly with a spatula to ensure even toasting and melting of the cheese. Flip carefully and toast the other side until it is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve Warm: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, slice them in half, and serve immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet for best caramelization and even toasting.
- Caramelizing onions takes time but adds essential sweetness and depth.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a little mustard or pickles inside the sandwich.
- Use 90/10 ground beef to reduce excess grease but maintain juiciness.
- Keep heat at medium to medium-low to avoid burning the bread before the cheese melts.
