Save A classic American diner favorite featuring juicy beef patties, caramelized onions, and melty cheese, all sandwiched between golden, buttery rye bread and cooked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet.
Ingredients
- For the Onions: 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced & 2 tablespoons unsalted butter & 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt & 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- For the Patties: 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 recommended) & 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce & 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder & 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt & 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- For Assembly: 8 slices rye bread & 8 slices Swiss cheese & 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions:
- In a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
- Caramelize the Onions (cont):
- Add onions, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are deeply golden and caramelized, 18–22 minutes. Transfer onions to a bowl and wipe skillet clean.
- Prepare the Patties:
- In a bowl, gently mix ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare the Patties (cont):
- Form into 4 thin, oval-shaped patties roughly the size of your bread slices.
- Cook the Patties:
- Heat the skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Patties (cont):
- Add patties and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until browned and just cooked through. Set aside.
- Assemble the Patty Melts:
- Lay out bread slices. On 4 slices, place one slice of Swiss cheese, a beef patty, a generous portion of caramelized onions, and another slice of Swiss cheese. Top with remaining bread slices.
- Grill the Sandwiches:
- Spread softened butter on the outsides of each sandwich.
- Grill the Sandwiches (cont):
- Return skillet to medium heat. Cook sandwiches in batches, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden and cheese is melted about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Serve:
- Slice sandwiches in half and serve hot with pickles or your favorite side.
Save Notes
For extra flavor, add a swipe of spicy brown mustard or thousand island dressing inside each sandwich before grilling. Substitute marble rye or sourdough if preferred. Sharp cheddar can replace Swiss cheese for a different twist.
Required Tools
Cast-iron skillet Mixing bowl Spatula Knife and cutting board
Nutritional Information
Calories 670 Total Fat 37 g Carbohydrates 42 g Protein 40 g
Save Recipe FAQs
- → How do I caramelize onions properly?
Cook sliced onions slowly over medium heat in butter, stirring frequently until they turn deep golden and soft—this usually takes about 18–22 minutes.
- → What cut of beef works best for the patties?
Use ground beef with about 80/20 fat ratio to ensure juicy, flavorful patties that hold together well during cooking.
- → Can I substitute Swiss cheese with another type?
Yes, sharp cheddar or other meltable cheeses can be used to vary the flavor profile while maintaining smooth meltiness.
- → Why use a cast-iron skillet for cooking?
Cast-iron provides even heat distribution and excellent searing, crucial for caramelizing onions and achieving a crisp, golden crust on the sandwich.
- → How do I prevent the bread from burning during grilling?
Spread softened butter evenly on the outside of the bread and cook over medium heat, pressing gently and flipping carefully to brown both sides evenly without burning.