Traditional Beef Patty Melt

Ingredients:

For the beef patties:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For assembling the patty melt:

• 8 slices rye bread or sourdough bread
• 8 slices Swiss cheese
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
• Thousand Island dressing or Russian dressing (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form the Beef Patties:
   • Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions.
   • Gently shape each portion into a patty, seasoning both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the Beef Patties:
   • Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
   • Add vegetable oil or olive oil to the skillet.
   • Cook the beef patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and reach your desired level of doneness.
   • During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of Swiss cheese on each patty to melt.
3. Caramelize the Onions:
   • In the same skillet or a separate one, melt butter over medium heat.
   • Add thinly sliced onions to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until they turn golden brown and caramelized. Set aside.
4. Assemble the Patty Melts:
   • On a clean surface, lay out 4 slices of bread.
   • Place a cooked beef patty with melted Swiss cheese on each slice of bread.
   • Top each patty with a generous portion of caramelized onions.
   • Add another slice of Swiss cheese on top of the onions.
   • Cover each patty with the remaining 4 slices of bread to create sandwiches.
5. Cook the Patty Melts:
   • Using the same skillet or griddle, grill the assembled sandwiches over medium heat.
   • Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread turns golden brown and crispy, and the cheese melts.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Slice the patty melts diagonally and serve hot.
   • Optionally, serve with Thousand Island dressing or Russian dressing on the side for dipping or drizzling over the sandwiches.

Enjoy the savory and comforting taste of the Traditional Beef Patty Melt, a classic diner-style sandwich with juicy beef patties, melted Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and toasted bread!