This Classic Beef Patty Melt consists of thin ground beef patty topped with caramelized onions and sandwich between melty cheese and griddled rye bread. This recipe yields 4 sandwiches.

Classic Beef Patty Melt

Nothing beats a classic beef patty melt.

It’s comfort food at its best. I first made this last year when all I could get was large packages of ground beef. I did a quick google search, wondering what to make with all of this ground beef? The first thing I saw on a list was the patty melt and I knew THIS was what I was making.

It’s simple really. Quickly caramelize onions until golden and soft, season and sear thin beef patties, and sandwich it all between cheese and griddled bread.

Classic Beef Patty Melt

Incredible.

ingredients for Classic Beef Patty Melt

To Make This Classic Beef Patty Melt You Will Need:

  • 80/20 ground beef
  • extra light olive oil
  • sweet onions
  • kosher salt
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder
  • black pepper
  • Worcestershire sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • rye bread
  • cheese (Swiss is traditionally used, but we like using both cheddar and American)
  • butter

press your patties thin

Start by dividing 1-1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef into fourths (6 ounces each) and shape into oblong patties.

pressed patties

I flatten them into thin patties by pressing them between two cutting boards.

oil, onion and salt on griddle

Next preheat a griddle to 300 to 350℉ (150-180℃). Drizzle the griddle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 medium sliced onions and season with a pinch of kosher salt.

sauteed onions

Stir, and cook the onions until soft and edges caramelized.

browned onions in bowl

Transfer the onions to a dish and set off to the side.

Click Here For traditional caramelized onions.

seasoned patties

Meanwhile, season the patties with onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper and add a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce to each one. I never measure any of these.

griddle beef patties

On the same griddle, increase heat to 350 to 375℉ (or 180°-190℃). Sear and cook the patties about 3 to 5 minutes flip and continue to cook 2 to 3 more minutes.

finished griddled patties

Transfer to a platter of some kind and tent with foil to keep warm.

buttered griddle

Use paper towel to wipe the grease away and discard. Reduce the griddle temperature to 300℉ (150℃) and melt 4 tablespoons of butter.

rye bread and cheese on griddle

Lay down 8 slices of rye bread (or use sourdough) and add 1 slice of American cheese to 4 slices of bread each and 4 slices cheddar to the other slice.

top bread with beef patty and onions

Once the cheese starts to melt and the bread is only lightly golden, top 4 slices of bread with a beef patty and divide the caramelized onions over each one.

then top with second slice of bread

Replace the second slice of bread so each patty has one cheddar and American cheese side.

griddle until golden and cheese melted

Flip occasionally, and continue to griddle until the patty is heated through and the bread is deeply golden.

Classic Beef Patty Melt

Slice and serve immediately.

Classic Beef Patty Melt

I hope your mouth is watering because mine sure is.

Enjoy as is with fries and if you’re so inclined, try dipping your patty melt in thousand island dressing. Delicious.

Classic Beef Patty Melt

Enjoy! And if you give this Classic Beef Patty Melt recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Classic Beef Patty Melt

Classic Beef Patty Melt
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Yield: 4 sandwiches

Classic Beef Patty Melt

This Classic Beef Patty Melt consists of a thin ground beef patty topped with caramelized onions and sandwich between melty cheese and griddled rye bread.

Ingredients

  • pounds (80/20) ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra light
  • 2 medium sweet onions, halved and sliced
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • 4 shakes onion powder
  • 4 shakes garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 8 dashes Worcestershire sauce, store bought or homemade
  • 8 slices rye bread, or sourdough
  • 4 slices American cheese, like deli or deluxe American
  • 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • 8 tablespoons butter

Instructions 

  • Divide the ground beef into four (6 ounce) pieces and shape into oblong patties. Place them onto a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap and press between another cutting board. Set aside.
  • Preheat a griddle to 300 to 350℉ (150-180℃). Drizzle the griddle with the olive oil, add the sliced onions and season with a pinch of kosher salt. Stir, and cook the onions until soft and edges caramelized. This should take about 10 minutes. For "real" caramelized onions, the process will take another 30 minutes.
  • Transfer the onions to a dish and set off to the side.
  • Meanwhile, season the patties with onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper and add a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce to each one. I never measure any of these.
  • Using the same griddle, increase heat from 350° to 375℉ (or 180°-190℃). Sear and cook the patties about 3 to 5 minutes, flip and continue cooking 2 to 3 more minutes. Transfer to a platter of some kind and tent with foil to keep warm.
  • Use paper towel to wipe the grease away and discard. Reduce the griddle temperature to 300℉ (150℃) and melt 4 tablespoons of butter.
  • Lay down 8 slices of rye bread and add 1 slice of American cheese to 4 slices of bread each and 4 slices cheddar to the other slice.
  • Once the cheese starts to melt on each slice and the bread is only lightly golden, top one slice of bread with a beef patty and divide the caramelized onions over each one.
  • Replace the second slice of bread so each patty has one cheddar and American cheese side. Flip occasionally, and continue to griddle until the patty is heated through and the bread is deeply golden.
  • Slice and serve.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 680kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 46g, Saturated Fat: 24g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 124mg, Sodium: 1076mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 12g