Pin
Buttered, crispy slices of bread hold a juicy beef patty and melty cheese for a diner throwback that’s somewhere between a grilled cheese and a burger. Each bite is a warm hug of crisp toast, savory beef, and gooey cheese—total comfort food without needing burger rolls or a barbecue.
I stumbled onto patty melts while driving cross-country and instantly wanted to make one at home—just the right crunch outside with juicy meat inside. After loads of trial runs, this version is our weeknight fix when we want something hearty but don’t want to mess with the grill.
Tasty Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Go for 80/20 if you want juicy and tasty patties.
- Bread: Thick slices of rye work best, and the hint of caraway is a bonus.
- Cheese: Mixing sharp cheddar and provolone gets you oozy meltiness and bold flavor.
- Special Sauce: Stir together mayo, ketchup, sweet relish, and some crunchy bacon bits for that sweet and tangy kick.
- Butter: Slather with real butter for that classic crisp, golden outside everyone loves.
Mastering Patty Melts
- Patty Prep:
- Mix in salt, black pepper, and onion powder with your ground beef, but keep it light so the meat stays tender. Shape into thin patties a little bigger than your bread since they’ll shrink when cooked.
- How to Cook:
- Get your pan hot and lay down the patties until they’re nicely browned, then lower the heat so they cook through without drying out. This gives a tasty crust but keeps them juicy.
- Making the Sauce:
- Stir together ketchup and mayo, then fold in bacon bits and relish till it’s creamy. You’ll get a pop of flavor that works so well with the beef and melted cheese.
- How to Build It:
- Put cheese right next to the bread on both sides, the patty in between. That way the cheese fuses everything and gets super melty.
- Toast Like a Pro:
- Grill your full sandwich on medium-low, pushing it down a bit so all sides brown evenly. Don’t rush—let the bread get crisp and golden before flipping for that crunch everyone wants.
Pin
The little trick my grandma used was smearing a thin layer of mustard right on the bread before grilling. She said it kept the bread from getting soggy and gave just the right punch of flavor. It never failed her, and honestly, I’d never skip it either.
Great Combinations
Serve a patty melt with crunchy dill pickles to cut the richness. Go all-in on the diner vibe with crispy thin fries or toss together a basic slaw with a tangy vinegar dressing to lighten things up.
Tasty Twists
Switch out regular bread for sourdough and toss in caramelized onions for extra flavor. Craving breakfast? Try a thinner patty with a fried egg and maple bacon. Feeling southwestern? Add some green chilies and swap in pepper jack cheese.
Keeping Things Fresh
Patty melts taste best hot off the pan, but you can prep sauces and cooked beef ahead of time. Stash the patties in your fridge up to 2 days then just put everything together and toast it up when you’re hungry.
After plenty of tries, I can say patty melts are a favorite for all kinds of eaters—they totally hit the spot for both grilled cheese and burger lovers. When buttery toasted bread, gooey cheese, and juicy beef come together, the end result is always a dinner win.
Pin
Common Recipe Questions
- → What makes a patty melt different from a burger?
- A patty melt uses slices of rye bread, not a bun, stacks it with lots of melty cheese, and then grills everything up just like a grilled cheese.
- → Can I add caramelized onions?
- Definitely! They're classic. Just cook sliced onions on low for about 15 minutes till they're brown and super sweet.
- → What's the best cheese to use?
- Cheddar and provolone melt perfectly and taste great, but you can totally swap in Swiss or American if that's what you like.
- → Can I make this with a leaner meat?
- Sure thing. Try ground turkey or chicken, but toss a little oil in the pan so it doesn't get too dry or stick.
- → What sides go well with patty melts?
- Go for fries, pickles, potato chips, onion rings, or just a simple green salad—can't go wrong.