Description
Classic Patty Melts with a savory blend of ground beef, caramelized onions, and melted Swiss and cheddar cheeses sandwiched between crispy buttered rye bread slices. Served with a tangy secret sauce made from mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and Worcestershire sauce, this comforting sandwich is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Secret Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Sandwich
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 8 slices rye bread
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 tbsp butter, for grilling
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and Worcestershire sauce thoroughly. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Caramelize the Onions: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until they become golden brown and caramelized. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Form and Season Patties: Divide the ground beef into four thin patties, each slightly larger than the bread slices to account for shrinkage while cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the Patties: Using the same skillet, cook the patties over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until fully cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Bread: Butter one side of each slice of rye bread with the remaining butter.
- Assemble the Patty Melts: Place four slices of the rye bread, butter-side down, on a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. On each slice, layer one slice of Swiss cheese, a cooked beef patty, a generous portion of caramelized onions, and one slice of cheddar cheese. Top each with another slice of rye bread, butter-side up.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Cook the sandwiches for 2-3 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted completely. Use a spatula to press gently for even grilling.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for 1 minute. Slice each sandwich in half and serve alongside or drizzled with the prepared secret sauce.
Notes
- Caramelizing onions takes patience but adds rich depth of flavor to the sandwich.
- You can substitute rye bread with sourdough or another hearty bread if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of smoked paprika or garlic powder to the ground beef before shaping the patties.
- If you want a thicker burger patty, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes per side but ensure they’re cooked through.
- Leftover secret sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
