I love a good patty melt. It is basically the best parts of a hamburger and a grilled cheese sandwich all rolled into one delicious meal. Today, I am sharing my recipe for these Amazing Patty Melt Sandwiches, and they are packed with everything you want in a classic patty melt.

A good patty melt starts with the bread. Rye bread is traditional and one of my personal favorites, but my family is not really a fan of it. Because of that, I usually use sourdough bread instead. Both work really well, and I especially like buying sourdough from my local WinCo because the loaf is shaped more like regular sandwich bread, which makes it perfect for these sandwiches.

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Next comes the cheese, and you definitely want something that melts beautifully. I like using a combination of Muenster and cheddar. Muenster melts especially well and gives the sandwich a smooth, creamy texture, while cheddar adds a little sharpness and extra flavor.

Another important part of a really good patty melt is the caramelized onions. Grilled onions are delicious, but when you take the time to cook them slowly until they are deeply golden and caramelized, they become even better. The natural sweetness and rich flavor they develop pair perfectly with the beef and melted cheese.

The beef patties themselves are kept nice and simple. There is no need to add a lot of extra ingredients. I season the ground beef with salt, pepper, and a little Worcestershire sauce to give it just enough savory flavor without overpowering the rest of the sandwich.

The final touch is the sauce. It is similar to a homemade Thousand Island dressing and adds creaminess, tang, and a little extra zip to every bite. Spread it on the bread before assembling the sandwiches, and it brings all of the flavors together.

Once everything is layered between slices of bread and grilled until golden and crisp, you end up with a sandwich that is cheesy, savory, slightly sweet, and completely satisfying. These Amazing Patty Melt Sandwiches are perfect for lunch, dinner, or anytime you are craving something hearty and comforting.

Ingredients for Amazing Patty Melts

the sauce:

MAYONNAISE – Mayonnaise creates the creamy base for the sandwich sauce. It helps balance the tangy ketchup and relish.
KETCHUP – Ketchup adds sweetness, tomato flavor, and a little acidity to the sauce.
ONION POWDER – Onion powder adds savory flavor to the sauce without adding extra texture.
PICKLE RELISH – Pickle relish gives the sauce a sweet and tangy flavor along with a little texture. It helps create that Thousand Island-style taste.

caramelized onions:

BUTTER – Butter is used to cook the onions slowly until soft and caramelized. It adds richness and helps the onions develop a deep golden color
RED ONION – Red onion becomes sweet and mellow as it cooks down. Caramelizing it gives the sandwich a rich, slightly sweet flavor.
SUGAR – A small amount of sugar helps the onions caramelize and enhances their natural sweetness.

patties:

GROUND BEEF – Ground beef forms the hearty center of the patty melt. An 80/20 blend works well because it stays juicy and flavorful.
SALT -Salt brings out the natural flavor of the beef and helps season the patties.
PEPPER – Black pepper adds a mild warmth and savory bite to the beef.
WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE – Worcestershire sauce adds depth and umami to the patties. It gives the beef extra savory flavor without overpowering it.

the sandwiches:

SOUR DOUGH OR RYE BREAD – The bread forms the crispy, sturdy base of the sandwich. Rye is traditional for patty melts, while sourdough gives a milder flavor and still toasts beautifully.
BUTTER – Butter helps the bread become golden and crisp as the sandwiches cook. Spread it evenly on the outside of each slice.
MUNSTER CHEESE – Muenster melts smoothly and gives the sandwich a creamy, mild cheese layer.
CHEDDAR CHEESE – Cheddar adds a sharper, more pronounced cheese flavor. Combining it with Muenster gives you both great melt and extra flavor.

Instructions for Amazing Patty Melt Sandwiches

In a small bowl, stir together all of the sauce ingredients until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the sandwiches.

To make the caramelized onions, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced red onion and sugar. Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

In a medium bowl, gently combine the ground beef with the salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Divide the mixture into 3 equal portions and shape each one into a patty.

Cook the patties in a skillet over medium heat until browned on both sides and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Butter one side of each slice of bread. To assemble each sandwich, place one slice of bread butter-side down. Spread some of the prepared sauce over the unbuttered side, then top with a slice of Muenster cheese and a slice of cheddar cheese.

Add one cooked beef patty and a portion of the caramelized onions. Spread more sauce over the unbuttered side of a second slice of bread, then place it on top of the sandwich with the buttered side facing up.

Cook the sandwich in a skillet over medium to medium-low heat until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt. Carefully flip and cook the second side until golden and crisp and the cheese is fully melted.

Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 3 sandwiches. Serve warm. Makes 3 patty melt sandwiches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of ground beef should I use?
An 80/20 ground beef blend is a good choice because it stays juicy and flavorful. Leaner beef can be used, but the patties may be a little drier.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes. The sauce can be mixed together a day or two in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the sandwiches.

Can I caramelize the onions ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prepare the onions in advance and refrigerate them in an airtight container. Reheat them briefly before adding them to the sandwiches.

Can I use a different kind of onion?
Yes. Yellow or sweet onions can be used in place of red onion. Sweet onions are especially good for caramelizing.

Can I use different cheeses?
Yes. Swiss, provolone, American, pepper jack, or another good melting cheese can be substituted. I like the combination of Muenster and cheddar because you get both creaminess and sharp flavor.

How do I know when the beef patties are done?
Cook them until browned on both sides and the center reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F for ground beef.

Why is my bread browning before the cheese melts?
The skillet may be too hot. Cook the sandwiches over medium to medium-low heat so the bread has time to become golden while the cheese melts.

Can I cook the patties and sandwiches in the same skillet?
Yes. Wipe out excess grease after cooking the patties, then use the same skillet to grill the sandwiches.

What can I serve with patty melts?
French fries, onion rings, potato chips, coleslaw, pickles, a green salad, or soup all pair well with them.

Tips and Tricks

Shape the patties to fit the bread. Make the beef patties slightly larger and flatter than a traditional hamburger patty so you get beef in every bite of the sandwich.

Cook the onions low and slow. Keep the heat around medium-low and give the onions time to soften and caramelize. Higher heat can brown the outside before they develop that sweet, rich flavor.

Don’t overwork the ground beef. Mix the seasonings into the beef gently and shape the patties without packing them too tightly. This helps keep them tender and juicy.

Grill the sandwiches over moderate heat. Medium to medium-low heat gives the cheese time to melt while the bread becomes evenly golden and crisp. If the skillet is too hot, the bread can burn before the center is warm.

Let the cheese help hold everything together. Place the cheese directly against the bread when assembling the sandwich. As it melts, it helps hold the patty, onions, and sauce together and makes the sandwich easier to eat.

FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:

Recipe adapted from Small Town Woman.

Amazing Patty Melt Sandwiches