Smashed Patty Melt American Diner Sandwich
The patty melt is a beloved American diner classic that presses a thin smashed beef patty with caramelized onions and melted Swiss cheese between two slices of buttery griddled rye bread. It is crispy, juicy, savory, and deeply satisfying in every single bite.
A classic American diner sandwich with smashed beef, caramelized onions, and Swiss cheese on rye bread.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
Protein
Bread
Vegetables
Cheese
Base
Condiments
Instructions
Caramelize the Onions
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat and add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook slowly for 20 minutes stirring occasionally until deeply golden, sweet, and caramelized. Do not rush this step.
Form and Smash the Patties
Divide the ground beef into two equal balls and season with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Place each ball on a hot skillet or griddle over high heat and smash flat with a spatula. Cook for 2 minutes per side until a crust forms.
Melt the Cheese
Place two slices of Swiss cheese on each patty immediately after flipping. Cover the skillet with a lid for 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt fully over the patty before removing.
Griddle the Bread and Assemble
Butter the outside of each rye bread slice. On the same skillet over medium heat, griddle the bread for 2 minutes until golden. Layer caramelized onions then the cheesy patty on the bottom slice and press the top slice down. Slice diagonally and serve hot.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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