Classic Swiss Patty Melt Recipe
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a burger and a patty melt? A burger is traditionally served on a hamburger bun, and can be topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, or onions. A patty melt, however, is served on toasted bread, usually rye or sourdough, then topped with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese.
Recipe developer and registered dietitian nutritionist, Kristen Carli, MS, RD, brings us this recipe for a classic Swiss patty melt. Carli states "This is the perfect comfort meal. I love these sandwiches served up with a side of homemade french fries and coleslaw." She also mentions, "I wanted to make a classic version of this sandwich, but you can, of course, have some fun and introduce some variety here if you would like. As a dietitian, I happen to also love a patty melt served California-style with avocado, tomato, caramelized onions, and lettuce." Keep reading to find out how to make this easy patty melt recipe.
Gather your ingredients for this Swiss patty melt
To make this classic Swiss patty melt recipe, you can start by gathering your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need ground beef, salt, pepper, salted butter, a red onion, Swiss cheese, and rye bread.
Season the beef, and form the patties
In a bowl, add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Using your hands, mix the seasoning into the beef. Then, form the seasoned meat into 4 patties. Set them aside on a plate. Carli notes "You can add more seasoning to your patties if you like, but I find that they really only need salt and pepper."
Caramelize the onions and patties
It's important to get your onions caramelizing, as this is the most time-consuming part of the recipe. In a large skillet over medium heat, add in 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions. Sautée the onions in the butter until they are nice and caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the onions, then cook each patty over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side. Remove the patties from the skillet.
Build the patty melt sandwiches
Now, it is time to build your patty melts. Spread ½ tablespoon of butter on the outside of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices, butter-side down, in the same skillet, and add a slice of cheese on top. Then, top each slice of cheese with a patty, caramelized onions, another slice of cheese, and another slice of bread with the butter side facing up. Cook up the sandwiches for about 3 minutes on each side. Serve warm, as desired.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 1 red onion, cut in half and sliced
- 8 slices of Swiss cheese
- 8 slices of rye bread
- In a medium bowl, add the beef, salt, and pepper. Using your hands, mix the seasoning into the beef, and form it into 4 patties.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add in the onion. Sautée, stirring occasionally, for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the onions are caramelized.
- Spread ½ tablespoon of butter on the outside of each slice of bread.
- Cook each patty over medium heat, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove the patties from the skillet.
- Place 4 slices of bread, butter side down, in the same skillet. Add a slice of cheese to each bread slice, followed by a patty, caramelized onions, an additional slice of cheese, and another slice of bread, butter side up.
- Cook the sandwiches for 3 minutes on each side, until the bread is crispy and toasted, then remove sandwiches from the skillet and serve.
| Calories per Serving | 703 |
| Total Fat | 56.0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 29.6 g |
| Trans Fat | 2.0 g |
| Cholesterol | 177.8 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 12.9 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 g |
| Sodium | 549.5 mg |
| Protein | 36.3 g |
