She Strengthens

The Classic Patty Melt: A Greasy yet Delicious American Diner Icon

In the heyday of drive-in restaurants and diners, a culinary masterpiece was born – the patty melt. This mouthwatering sandwich has stood the test of time, and its popularity endures to this day.

A Harmonious Blend of Flavors and Textures

Thinly sliced rye bread provides the foundation for this gastronomic delight. Caramelized onions, cooked to perfection, add a sweet and savory element. The pièce de résistance is the beef patty, expertly seasoned and cooked until browned. To complete this flavorful trifecta, melted Swiss cheese binds everything together.

A Game-Changing Tip from Chef Gabrielle Hamilton

To achieve the perfect browning and flavor, replace butter with mayonnaise in the cooking process. This clever trick elevates the patty melt to new heights.

Satisfy Your Cravings with a Heaping Side of Crispy Fries

Serve your patty melt with a generous helping of crispy fries, and you’ll be in culinary heaven.

Easy to Make, Yet Impressive Nonetheless

This recipe yields four sandwiches and requires only 1 hour and 20 minutes of active cooking time. With its ease of preparation and impressive presentation, the patty melt is an ideal choice for any gathering.

Ingredients and Instructions

To create this culinary masterpiece, you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 pound ground chuck
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 8 slices light rye bread
• 8 ounces thinly sliced Swiss cheese

Cooking the Onions

Melt butter in a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat until foaming. Add onions and cook, stirring rarely, until deep golden brown and caramelized (about 40 minutes). Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

Preparing the Patties

While onions are cooking, mix ground chuck with measured salt and pepper. Divide into four equal portions and shape into 1/4-inch-thick patties. Cook in a separate large frying pan over medium-high heat until browned on both sides (about 2-3 minutes per side).

Assembling the Patty Melt

Spread mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice. Place four slices on a work surface, mayonnaise-side down. Distribute cheese and onions among the bread slices, then top with beef patties and remaining cheese. Place the remaining bread slices on top, mayonnaise-side up.

Grilling the Sandwiches

Heat the reserved nonstick pan over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles and immediately disappears on the surface. Place two sandwiches in the pan and cook until the bottom slices of cheese start to melt and the bread is golden brown (about 3-4 minutes). Flip and cook until the other side is golden brown and all of the cheese has melted (about 3-4 minutes more). Serve immediately and enjoy!