Description
A classic American diner comfort food featuring juicy beef patties, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and a tangy secret sauce, all grilled between slices of buttery rye bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs (680g) Ground Beef (80/20)
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Onion Powder (for patties)
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder (for patties)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ cup (120ml) Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60ml) Ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 tbsp Sweet Pickle Relish
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ tsp Onion Powder (for secret sauce)
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder (for secret sauce)
- ¼ tsp Hot Sauce (optional)
- 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
- 8 slices Sliced Bread (Rye recommended)
- 8 slices Cheese (e.g., Swiss, American)
- 2 large Yellow Onions
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, hot sauce (optional), and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice in a medium bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust. Chill for at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
- Slice 2 large yellow onions thinly. Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter (and 1 tbsp olive oil, optional) in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-40 minutes until deep golden brown and jammy. Set aside.
- Gently mix ground beef with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Form into 4 patties (¾-1 inch thick, wider than bread, with a thumb indentation). Chill 15-20 minutes (optional) to help them hold shape.
- Heat a clean skillet over medium-high. Cook patties 3-6 minutes per side (for desired doneness). During the last minute, place 2 cheese slices on each patty, cover (if possible), and cook until melted and bubbly. Remove patties.
- Wipe skillet clean; reduce heat to medium-low. Generously butter one side of each bread slice (approx. ½-1 tbsp per slice). Place two buttered-side-down bread slices in skillet. On the unbuttered side of one slice, spread secret sauce, layer with caramelized onions, then top with a cheesy beef patty. On the unbuttered side of the second bread slice, spread more secret sauce and caramelized onions. Invert second slice onto the patty, buttered side up.
- Grill patty melt for 3-5 minutes per side until bread is deeply golden brown and crisp, and cheese is fully melted and oozing. Repeat for remaining melts. Rest 1-2 minutes, slice diagonally, and serve immediately with extra secret sauce for dipping. Enjoy with optional sides like fries or a salad.
Notes
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty melt
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg