Grilled Cheese Patty Melts are a hearty twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, featuring flavorful beef patties and caramelized onions.
Author:Olivia
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Sandwich
Method:Grilling
Cuisine:American
Diet:None
Ingredients
Scale
For the Ground Beef Patties:
1.5 lbs (680g) 80/20 ground beef
1 tsp kosher salt
0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 tbsp neutral oil (e.g., canola) for cooking
For the Caramelized Onions:
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
0.5 tsp kosher salt
Pinch of granulated sugar (optional)
2 tbsp water or beef broth (for deglazing, if needed)
For the Grilled Cheese Element:
12 slices rye bread (or sourdough/brioche)
8–12 slices cheese (e.g., Swiss & cheddar)
4–6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for bread)
For the Special Sauce:
0.5 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp finely minced dill pickle or sweet pickle relish
1 tsp Dijon mustard
0.5 tsp smoked paprika
0.25 tsp garlic powder
Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare Caramelized Onions: Thinly slice 2 large yellow onions. In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter with 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and 0.5 tsp kosher salt. Cook over low heat for 30-60 minutes, stirring frequently, until deeply golden brown, tender, and sweet. Deglaze with 2 tbsp water or beef broth if needed. Set aside.
Make Special Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 0.5 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp minced dill pickle/relish, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 0.5 tsp smoked paprika, 0.25 tsp garlic powder, and an optional dash of hot sauce. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors.
Form Beef Patties: Gently mix 1.5 lbs 80/20 ground beef with 1 tsp kosher salt, 0.5 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (if using). Divide into 4 portions and form into patties slightly wider than your bread, about 0.5-0.75 inches thick. Create a shallow indentation in the center of each patty. Chill patties for 15-20 minutes.
Cook Burger Patties: Heat 1 tbsp neutral oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chilled patties in the hot skillet, cooking in batches if necessary. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium doneness. Do not press down on patties. Transfer to a plate, tent with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes.
Assemble and Grill Patty Melts: Generously butter one side of each rye bread slice. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place a buttered bread slice (butter-side down) in the skillet, top with a slice of cheese, then a cooked burger patty, a generous helping of caramelized onions, another slice of cheese, and finally, a second buttered bread slice (butter-side up). Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and crispy, and cheese is fully melted and gooey. Repeat for remaining melts.
Serve Patty Melts: Transfer finished Patty Melts to a cutting board and slice diagonally. Serve immediately with a generous dollop of the special sauce on the side for dipping, or spread inside the sandwich. Enjoy with classic sides like French fries or a green salad.