If you’re looking for an absolutely irresistible comfort food classic, the Best Patty Melt Ever is about to win a permanent spot in your dinnertime rotation. Imagine perfectly seasoned beef patties, golden buttery rye bread, melty layers of Muenster and cheddar, deeply caramelized onions, and a tangy burger sauce that brings it all together. Every bite is a savory, gooey flavor bomb that straddles the best of both burgers and grilled cheese—you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them all along!

Best Patty Melt Ever Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Best Patty Melt Ever delivers maximum satisfaction with a straightforward ingredient list. Each component plays a starring role, contributing richness, sharpness, or crunch to build the bold, restaurant-worthy flavor you’ll crave.

Ground Beef: Choose 80/20 beef for juicy, flavorful patties with just the right amount of richness.
Rye Bread: The hearty, slightly tangy bread holds up to frying and soaks up those mouthwatering juices beautifully.
Muenster Cheese: Creamy, smooth, and melty, it balances out the stronger flavors and ramps up the goo factor.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds boldness and a classic American vibe to every bite.
Mustard: Just a bit mixed into both the burger patties and sauce for a pop of piquancy.
Worcestershire Sauce: Gives the onions and patties depth and that wonderful savory undertone.
Butter: Essential for golden, crispy bread and deeply caramelized onions.
Salt and Pepper: The simplest seasoning, but don’t underestimate the difference it makes—season boldly!
Onion: Thinly sliced and slowly cooked, they get sweet, soft, and almost jammy—irresistible in a patty melt.
Red Wine Vinegar: Just a splash to brighten the onions and balance out all the hearty flavors.
Mayonnaise: The creamy base of your burger sauce for an extra luscious finish.
Dill Pickle Relish: Adds a tangy, zippy contrast to cut through all that cheese and meat.
Ketchup: A little sweetness to round out the homemade sauce.

How to Make Best Patty Melt Ever

Step 1: Make the Burger Sauce

Start by mixing together mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and ketchup in a small bowl. Don’t rush this quick step—it’s the secret that makes the Best Patty Melt Ever leap from good to unforgettable. Cover the sauce and stash it in the fridge for flavors to meld while you prep everything else.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions

In a skillet over medium-low, combine sliced onions, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine vinegar. Cover and let the onions cook gently for about 20 minutes, checking occasionally and giving them a gentle stir. Slow-cooking helps extract that deep sweetness and mellow out the raw onion kick—the perfect pillow for your patty. Transfer to a plate once they’re golden, soft, and jammy.

Step 3: Form and Season the Burger Patties

Mold your ground beef into two equal patties and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle each with a few drops of Worcestershire sauce for added savoriness, then rub a bit of mustard onto each side. That mustard crust will add a subtle tang and help the patties get an enviable sear in the pan.

Step 4: Cook the Burger Patties

Bring your cast iron or heavy skillet to medium-high. Once it’s nice and hot, lay down the patties and let them cook without moving for about 4 minutes so you get a serious crust. Flip, then cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until they’re perfectly medium-well—the ideal doneness for the Best Patty Melt Ever.

Step 5: Assemble the Melts

Butter one side of each slice of rye bread. Lay two of those, butter-side down, into your skillet. Generously spread burger sauce on the opposite side of all four bread slices so every bite pops with flavor. Top the skillet slices with cheddar cheese, a generous helping of caramelized onions, the hot burger patties, and then Muenster cheese. Crown each sandwich with the remaining bread, sauce-side down.

Step 6: Grill to Golden Perfection

Turn the skillet to medium-high again. Grill each sandwich until the bottom piece of bread is deeply golden and crisp, then use a wide spatula to gently flip and toast the other side to the same golden finish. Lower the heat if the bread browns too quickly—the goal is perfectly melted cheese, crispy bread, and a hot, juicy center. That’s what elevates this from ordinary to the Best Patty Melt Ever!

How to Serve Best Patty Melt Ever

Garnishes

Add some final flair with classic burger accompaniments. Pile the plate with extra dill pickle slices or a scatter of chives for a fresh, herby pop. A swipe of your creamy burger sauce on the side is also fair game for dipping those sandwich corners.

Side Dishes

The Best Patty Melt Ever deserves sidekicks that can stand up to its bold flavors. Think crispy shoestring fries, homemade potato chips, or a simple coleslaw to cut some of the richness. A classic diner-style pickle spear never hurts either.

Creative Ways to Present

Level up dinner by slicing the patty melts in halves or quarters for sharing platter-style, stacking pieces alongside a mountain of fries or onion rings. Or, serve with a mini ramekin of sauce for dramatic dipping action and extra indulgence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with extra sandwiches, let them cool to room temperature first. Wrap each patty melt tightly in foil or store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors continue to meld, making each reheated bite just as satisfying.

Freezing

For longer storage, wrap assembled (but not yet grilled) sandwiches in parchment and then foil, then freeze. When a craving hits, thaw overnight in the fridge and grill them up as usual—nothing beats a homemade Best Patty Melt Ever, even from the freezer.

Reheating

To reheat, unwrap the patty melt and place it in a skillet over medium heat, pressing gently with a spatula. Flip once until the outside is crisp and the cheese is gooey again. For a quicker fix, use a toaster oven—just avoid the microwave, or you’ll lose that crucial crispiness!

FAQs

Can I swap rye bread for something else?

Absolutely! Sourdough or Texas toast work nicely, though rye offers that distinctive bite folks expect from the Best Patty Melt Ever. Just pick a sturdy bread that can handle all those glorious fillings.

What’s the best beef blend to use?

Stick with 80/20 ground beef for a juicy result. Leaner grinds can dry out, while higher fat gives you the ideal balance for a moist, flavorful patty. If you like, a beef and pork blend can also amp up richness.

Can I make this vegetarian?

You bet! Substitute a plant-based burger patty and swap in your favorite vegan cheese slices. The rest of the steps are just the same, and trust me—you’ll still be wowed by the flavor.

Do I have to caramelize the onions?

Slow-cooked onions are a hallmark of the Best Patty Melt Ever, adding a silky sweetness that ties everything together. While you could use sautéed or grilled onions in a pinch, don’t skip this simple, worthwhile step if you want restaurant-level results.

What’s the trick to getting the bread perfectly crisp?

Generous butter on each slice and medium-high heat in your skillet are key. Don’t rush the process—let each side get deep golden before flipping and pressing, for that signature crunch that signals patty melt perfection.

Final Thoughts

This recipe brings together everything you love about classic comfort food, wrapped in the melty, savory embrace of the Best Patty Melt Ever. Whether it’s your first time or you’re revisiting an old favorite, one bite and you’ll be hooked—give it a try, and prepare for serious sandwich bliss!

Best Patty Melt Ever Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 26 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Non-vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delicious Patty Melt recipe that combines juicy burger patties, caramelized onions, and gooey cheeses sandwiched between buttery, toasted rye bread slices.

Instructions

Burger Sauce: Mix mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and ketchup in a bowl. Refrigerate for later.
Caramelized Onions: Cook sliced onions, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Burger Patties: Form patties, season with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Cook in a skillet for 4-5 minutes per side.
Assembly: Butter bread slices, place them in the skillet. Spread burger sauce on slices, add cheddar, onions, patty, Muenster, and top with bread. Grill until golden and cheese melts.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling, Stovetop
Cuisine: American