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Craving mouthwatering comfort food? These patty melts have completely won me over! I've tweaked this diner favorite to create an incredible sandwich featuring succulent beef, toasty golden rye bread, melty cheese, and sweet, tender caramelized onions. My special sauce formula shared below takes these sandwiches to new heights. You'll be shocked how simple it is to whip up diner-worthy patty melts right in your kitchen!
Tasty Side Suggestions and Presentation Tips
These melts taste fantastic alongside crunchy french fries or a simple green salad that cuts through the richness. They're also great with sweet potato fries, and don't skip adding a crunchy pickle on the plate! This is what I make whenever I want that homey diner experience without stepping out the door.
Your Shopping List
- Ground Beef: 1 pound (split into 4 flat patties for quick cooking)
- Onion: 1 large, cut into thin slices (creates sweet caramelized flavor)
- Rye Bread: 8 slices (add butter for a crisp, golden exterior)
- Swiss Cheese: 4 slices (provides that classic gooey texture)
- Cheddar Cheese: 4 slices (brings bold, tangy taste)
- Butter: For toasting the bread and cooking onions
- Salt and Pepper: To flavor the meat patties
- For the Special Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Cooking Instructions
- Mix Your Special Sauce
- Combine mayo, ketchup, pickle relish and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. This sauce really makes these sandwiches stand out!
- Cook Onions Until Sweet
- Slowly caramelize your onions in butter until they turn soft and golden brown, roughly 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare Your Beef
- Form your beef into thin, flat patties, add salt and pepper, and cook until done, around 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Assemble Your Sandwiches
- Start with buttered rye bread, add Swiss cheese, then patty, followed by those yummy onions and sharp cheddar. Cap with another buttered bread slice.
- Toast Until Golden
- Cook your sandwiches on medium heat until they're crunchy outside and gooey inside, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Ready to Enjoy
- Let them sit briefly, cut in half and serve with that tasty special sauce!
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Customization Ideas
Need something lighter? Ground turkey works great instead of beef. Want a kick? Try pepper jack cheese instead. There's even a tasty veggie version using plant-based patties that'll surprise you. Just don't leave out that special sauce - it's truly what transforms these patty melts from good to unforgettable!
Common Recipe Questions
- → How can I caramelize onions perfectly?
Keep your heat low and stir them every few minutes. It takes about 15-20 minutes to bring out their sweetness. If the pan gets sticky, add a drop of water to loosen it.
- → Can I make the sauce before cooking?
Absolutely! Mix it up to 3 days ahead and store it in the fridge. The flavors get better the longer they sit together.
- → Why mix two cheeses for this sandwich?
Swiss melts smoothly with a touch of nuttiness, while cheddar brings a pleasantly sharp kick. Together, they’re the best combination for flavor and texture.
- → How thin should the patties be?
Keep the patties thin—about 1/4 inch. Make them wider than your bread since they'll shrink a little while cooking.
- → How do I stop the bread from burning?
Cook over medium heat, and be patient. Wait until the cheese softens before flipping, usually 2-3 minutes per side.