The Dinner BellLancaster, Pennsylvania
Sandwiches

Patty Melt on Rye

A patty melt lives or dies by its onions. We cook them low and slow until they're fully caramelized, well before the patties ever hit the griddle, so nothing gets rushed at the end.

10 min prep
20 min cook
Easy level
Serves 4

Method

  1. Caramelize the onions

    Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat and cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for 25 to 30 minutes, until deeply golden and sweet. Set aside.

  2. Form the patties

    Season the ground beef with salt and pepper and shape into 4 oval patties sized to fit the bread.

  3. Cook the patties

    Cook the patties in the same skillet over medium-high heat, 3 to 4 minutes per side, until well browned. Set aside.

  4. Assemble

    Butter one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side, layer cheese, a patty, caramelized onions, and more cheese, then top with a second slice, buttered side out.

  5. Grill

    Grill the sandwiches in the skillet over medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.

  6. Serve

    Slice in half and serve hot.

From our kitchen

Don't rush the onions by raising the heat. High heat browns them quickly without developing the sweetness that makes a patty melt worth ordering.

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