If you are craving an irresistible comfort food that perfectly balances savory beef, gooey melted cheese, and sweetly rich onions all nestled between buttery toasted bread, this Patty Melt Sandwich Recipe with Caramelized Onions Recipe is exactly what you need. It takes the classic burger experience up a notch by adding the luscious sweetness of caramelized onions and the satisfying crunch of crisp rye or sourdough bread. Every bite offers a wonderful melding of textures and flavors that will have you reaching for seconds in no time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

There are four grilled sandwiches with a golden-brown, crispy toasted texture, placed on a light wooden board and one on a white plate with a white marbled surface underneath. One sandwich is pulled apart slightly in the middle, revealing melted creamy white cheese stretching between the two halves. The toasted bread has a rough texture with dark brown grill marks evenly spread on the surface, showing a crunchy and appetizing look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are beautifully simple but each one is essential to creating the iconic taste and texture of this patty melt. The balance of onions, cheese, beef, and bread brings depth, richness, and that perfect caramelized crunch.

Yellow onion: Thinly sliced for slow caramelizing, bringing natural sweetness to the sandwich.
Butter: Used in various steps to achieve golden toasty bread and deeply flavored onions.
Ground beef (80/20): The perfect fat ratio ensures juicy, flavorful patties.
Bread (rye or sourdough): Provides a sturdy, crispy vessel with a slight tang or earthiness.
Swiss or cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully and adds creamy, savory richness.

How to Make Patty Melt Sandwich Recipe with Caramelized Onions Recipe

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

Start by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and cook them slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes until they turn a golden brown and develop that wonderful, sweet caramelized flavor that is the star of this sandwich.

Step 2: Shape and Season the Patties

While the onions cook, shape your ground beef into four thin oval patties, roughly matching the size and shape of your bread slices. Season each side with salt and pepper to enhance the natural beef flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Patties

Heat another tablespoon of butter in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add the burger patties and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until they reach your preferred doneness. The butter will help create a flavorful crust on the outside.

Step 4: Assemble the Sandwiches

Now the fun layering begins. Start with one slice of bread, add a slice of cheese, place one cooked burger patty on top, follow it with a quarter of the caramelized onions, then another slice of cheese, and finally finish with a second slice of bread. Repeat this for all four sandwiches.

Step 5: Toast the Sandwiches

Wipe out the pan and melt half a tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Place two sandwiches in the pan at a time and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottom bread becomes a dark golden brown and the cheese begins to melt. Press down gently with a spatula to help everything stay together and toast evenly.

Step 6: Flip and Toast the Other Side

Carefully flip each sandwich, melt another half tablespoon of butter, and cook the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes, pressing gently again. This ensures both sides are perfectly crispy and the cheese inside is beautifully melted.

Step 7: Finish the Remaining Sandwiches

Repeat the toasting process with your remaining sandwiches, adding the last tablespoon of butter as needed to achieve a rich golden crust. Once all are toasted, slice and get ready to enjoy this masterpiece.

How to Serve Patty Melt Sandwich Recipe with Caramelized Onions Recipe

An open sandwich is placed on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The sandwich has two layers of multi-grain bread with a slice of Swiss cheese on each piece. On the top slice, a square piece of cheese with holes is centered, while the bottom slice holds another cheese slice covered by a layer of caramelized onions and cooked beef strips, both brown in color and soft in texture. The sandwich sits flat with no other items around it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A simple pickle spear on the side is a classic accompaniment that adds a sharp, tangy bite which balances the richness of the patty melt. Fresh leafy greens or a handful of crispy fried onions on top can also add a refreshing contrast.

Side Dishes

Patty melts go wonderfully with crispy french fries, tangy coleslaw, or a simple green salad to lighten up the meal. A bowl of tomato soup creates a nostalgic, cozy pairing perfect for chilly evenings.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try cutting the patty melts into smaller sliders for parties or slice and arrange them on a platter with different types of cheese or mustard dips. You can also serve them open-faced with extra caramelized onions piled high for onion lovers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover patty melts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep the bread from becoming soggy, wrap the sandwiches individually in parchment paper before placing in a sealed container.

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, assemble the sandwiches minus the toasting step, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for the best flavor and texture retention.

Reheating

To reheat, preheat your pan or a skillet over medium heat, add a small pat of butter, and warm the sandwiches gently on each side until the cheese melts and the bread crisps up again. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread chewy.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe?

Absolutely! While Swiss and cheddar are classic choices for their meltability and flavor, you can experiment with provolone, gruyere, or even a spicy pepper jack to give your patty melt a unique spin.

Is it necessary to caramelize the onions for this sandwich?

Yes, caramelized onions bring a deep sweetness and complex flavor that perfectly complements the beef and cheese. Using raw onions would give a completely different, sharper taste that changes the character of the dish.

What kind of bread works best for a patty melt?

Rye bread is traditional as it adds a touch of earthiness and a sturdy texture, but sourdough can also be fantastic — it offers tang and crispiness that hold up well to the juicy fillings.

Can I make these sandwiches vegetarian?

Definitely! Swap the beef patties for hearty plant-based patties or grilled portobello mushrooms, and you’ll still get a delicious sandwich with all the caramelized onion goodness and melted cheese.

How do I prevent the bread from burning during toasting?

Keep your heat at medium or slightly lower to toast the bread gently and evenly. Pressing lightly with a spatula helps toast everything uniformly without burning the bread’s exterior before the cheese melts.

Final Thoughts

This Patty Melt Sandwich Recipe with Caramelized Onions Recipe has a way of turning simple ingredients into a soul-satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug. I highly encourage you to try it out and delight in that perfect harmony of savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy. Once you do, it might just become a go-to comfort food for many cozy nights ahead.

Patty Melt Sandwich Recipe with Caramelized Onions Recipe

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4.3 from 1 review

Author: Sara
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

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Description

A classic Patty Melt recipe featuring caramelized onions, juicy ground beef patties, and melted Swiss or cheddar cheese, all sandwiched between slices of rye or sourdough bread and pan-grilled to golden perfection. This comforting, savory sandwich combines the best elements of a burger and grilled cheese for a deliciously satisfying meal.

Ingredients

For the Patty Melt:

1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
8 slices bread (rye or sourdough)
8 slices Swiss or cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Caramelize the Onions: Add 1 tablespoon of butter to a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and slightly caramelized, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Form the Burger Patties: Shape the ground beef into 4 thin, oval-shaped patties, roughly matching the shape and size of the bread. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Cook the Burger Patties: Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the sauté pan and increase heat to medium-high. Cook the patties for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Remove patties from pan.
Assemble the Sandwiches: On one slice of bread, layer one slice of cheese, a cooked burger patty, a quarter of the caramelized onions, another slice of cheese, and top with a second slice of bread. Repeat for remaining sandwiches.
Prepare for Grilling: Wipe out the sauté pan to remove any residue. Melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
Grill First Side: Place two sandwiches in the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bread forms a dark golden brown crust and the cheese begins to melt. Press gently with a spatula to ensure even toasting and to press the sandwich together.
Grill Second Side: Carefully remove the sandwiches from the pan, add another 1/2 tablespoon of butter, then flip the sandwiches with the uncooked side down. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted, pressing gently with the spatula.
Finish Remaining Sandwiches: Repeat the grilling process with the remaining two sandwiches, using the last tablespoon of butter.
Serve: Slice the sandwiches if desired, serve warm, and enjoy your homemade patty melts!

Notes

For best flavor, use rye bread or sourdough as they complement the caramelized onions and melted cheese well.
Adjust the cooking time of the patties according to your preferred doneness.
Pressing the sandwiches while grilling helps the cheese melt evenly and creates a crispy crust on the bread.
Using butter during cooking enhances flavor and helps create a golden crust.
To keep sandwiches warm while finishing the last batch, you can place cooked sandwiches in a warm oven at 200°F (95°C).

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Sandwiches
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American