Description
This irresistible patty melt recipe combines perfectly seasoned ground beef patties, sweet caramelized onions, and a delicious blend of muenster and cheddar cheese, all sandwiched between buttery, crispy rye bread. The zesty homemade burger sauce adds an extra layer of flavor, making this classic grilled sandwich a comforting and satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burgers and Sandwich:
- 1 lb Ground Beef (85/15 blend)
- 1 medium Onion (red or yellow, thinly sliced)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 slices Muenster Cheese
- 4 slices Cheddar Cheese
- 4 slices Rye Bread
- 2 tbsp Butter
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Mustard (plus extra for seasoning patties)
- 1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
For the Burger Sauce:
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dill Pickle Relish
- 1 tbsp Mustard
- 2 tbsp Ketchup
Instructions
- Prepare Burger Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, dill pickle relish, and ketchup. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Caramelize Onions: In a skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine vinegar. Cover and cook gently for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft, golden brown, and sweetly caramelized.
- Form Hamburger Patties: Shape the ground beef into two equal-sized patties. Season both sides with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and a light spread of mustard to enhance flavor.
- Cook Patties: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the patties and cook for about 4 minutes per side until they reach medium-well doneness, ensuring juicy and flavorful burgers.
- Assemble Patty Melts: Butter one side of each slice of rye bread. In the skillet, place two bread slices butter-side down. Spread a generous layer of the prepared burger sauce on each, then top with a slice each of muenster and cheddar cheese. Add the caramelized onions on top of the cheese, followed by the cooked burger patties. Complete the sandwich by placing the remaining bread slices butter-side up on top.
- Grill Sandwiches: Cook the assembled sandwiches in the skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Grill until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and gooey. Press gently with a spatula to ensure even grilling.
Notes
- Use 85/15 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and juiciness in the patties.
- Caramelizing onions low and slow brings out their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Butter the bread generously to achieve a crispy, golden crust when grilling.
- Feel free to swap cheddar cheese with Swiss or American cheese depending on your preference.
- The burger sauce can be adjusted for tanginess or sweetness by varying the amount of pickle relish and ketchup.
- For a sharper onion flavor, add a pinch of salt when caramelizing onions.
