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American Diner-Style Patty Melt

A nostalgic and delicious sandwich featuring juicy beef patties, creamy American cheese, and sweet caramelized onions, perfect for a satisfying meal any time of day.
Course Main Course, Sandwich
Cuisine American, Diner
Keyword American Diner Food, comfort food, Patty Melt, Sandwich Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 700kcal

Ingredients

Beef Patties

  • 1 lb Ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 4 Slices of American cheese Use a total of 8 slices, 2 per sandwich.
  • 2 Large onions For caramelizing.

Bread

  • 8 slices Texas toast Thick-cut for best results.

Creamy Pepper Sauce

  • 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper

Other

  • 4 tbsp Unsalted butter For toasting the bread.
  • Salt and pepper to taste For seasoning the patties and onions.

Instructions

Caramelize the Onions

  • In a skillet over low heat, add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook them for about 20 minutes, allowing the natural sugars to caramelize until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. When finished, carefully remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside.

Form and Cook Patties

  • Divide your ground beef into four equal portions, shaping them into patties. Season generously with salt and pepper. In the same skillet where you cooked the onions, add the patties and cook for about 4 minutes per side.

Prepare Creamy Pepper Sauce

  • In a mixing bowl, combine half a cup of mayonnaise, two tablespoons of ketchup, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, one teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, and two teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper. Whisk these together until smooth and well-blended.

Assemble and Toast

  • Butter one side of each slice of Texas toast generously. On the unbuttered side, spread a generous amount of your creamy pepper sauce, followed by a slice of cheese and a beef patty. Top this with the caramelized onions, another slice of cheese, and place another slice of buttered bread on top, buttered side facing out.
  • Place the assembled sandwich in the skillet, cooking until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side, ensuring the cheese melts beautifully.

Serve

  • Once toasted to perfection, cut your sandwiches in half diagonally and serve them hot. Pair with crispy fries or a fresh salad.

Notes

For best results, be patient with cooking the onions, allowing them to reach that beautiful golden color. Don’t forget to season your beef patties generously.