Today’s recipe is the final installment in my sourdough rye bread series. These patty melt burgers, or sandwiches if you prefer, are the sole purpose of why I baked the New York Deli onion rye bread.
Hubby and I have had our fair share of patty melts and these are among the very best we’ve ever eaten. It sounds like such a grand statement for a simple hamburger sandwich, but I wholeheartedly mean it. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the bread was homemade.
As you bite into your patty melt your fingers and lips will be coated with a buttery bread, oozing cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and tender-juicy beef. Each bite is a little explosion of amazing flavours that leaves both your mouth and stomach begging for another bite. Seriously, they are that good!
For hubby and I patty melts can only, or should only, be made with Swiss cheese — no alternatives. I know many people make theirs with American cheese but the flavour doesn’t come close to the added depth that Swiss cheeses adds. The only seasonings are the caraway seeds in the bread, a little salt and some ground black pepper. Nothing else is needed as these simple ingredients create a robust flavored sandwich.
Don’t you just want to take a big bite?
Side dishes to patty melts can be anything from french fries, baked or smashed potatoes, or if you feel a little guilty from all the calories a piece of grilled lettuce also goes great. Serve with a couple of dill pickles on the side for yet more crunch, but never add them inside the patty melt.
- 500gm or 1 lb ground beef
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Swiss cheese, at least 2 slices per sandwich
- 4 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
- olive oil or vegetable oil of choice
- New York deli style rye bread
- unsalted butter
- Heat enough olive oil to lightly coat the pan. Saute the onions until they are soft and translucent and begin to caramelize or turn brown. If you'd like add a little salt and black pepper to the onions. If needed add a little water to the pan to prevent onions from burning, make sure to cook off all the water.
- Mix the beef with some salt and pepper. Shape 4 patties into a thin oblong shape. Melt some butter in a separate pan and cook the patties all the way through. Place sliced Swiss cheese on patties and allow to melt. Remove from the pan and drain off all extra fat and pan juices. Melt a little more butter in the pan and place sliced rye bread into the pan. Toast the bread then place the patties on top as well as another toasted slice of bread. Serve straight away with desired side dish.
And this gorgeous patty melt is what yours should look like. Warm, buttery, cheesy, oniony and ready to bite into. Don’t you want to taste it too?
So are you guys fans of patty melts too?
Terrific! That sandwich looks absolutely mouthwatering.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thank you Rosa!
It is more a PARTY on a plate..I agree with Rosa..mouthwatering!
Hehe, thanks Monique!
I could dive into this scrumptious-looking sandwich right now, and it’s only eight in the morning here! Beautiful food, as always. I particularly liked this series on how you got to this final dish!
Thank you so much Victoria! It was a very fun series to do.:)
Fabulous melts, I love the caramelized onions!
Thank you Laura!
I love the sandwich, it is as big as I like. I have one question about your bread. Did you bake it in a iron pot? I am considering buying it, my friend said that a bread baked in it is amazing. Yours look so delicious…
Thank you Marta! No, I just baked it on a baking sheet. Have fun with the iron pot.
Wow Nancy, this looks stunning and mouthwatering!
This is going to be the treat I’ll prepare for Fathers Day.
Thank you for the inspiration :)
Thank you Daniela, I hope your guest enjoy the sandwich!
I may have to try my hand on this when I’m feel a “comfort food” mood coming on!
You should:)
This must be one of the most luxurious sandwiches I’ve seen in my life! j
Thank you Julia!:)
LOVE patty melts, TRUE!
Yes, they ARE a VERY American thing to do!
LOVE the staging of your photos; want one right now!
Cheers! Joanne
Thank you so much Joanne!
It’s very hard not to look at your delicious patty melts…even at 1:30 in the morning. Drool worthy pictures, Nancy. Now I have to go to bed with hungry active tummy. :) Seriously I cannot wait to make my own bread to make sandwich at home. I know it tastes wonderful!
You should give it a try sometime Nami. I’m sure you’d enjoy the process and the sandwich itself.:)
A feast for the eyes and the palate!
Thanks Taruna!
Wow! That is a beautiful sandwich – you are doing that rye bread justice Nancy :)
Thank you Alyssa!
You have made that sandwich sound and look so good – I wish I could eat it.
Thank you Suzanne!
I agree – it’s gotta be Swiss cheese on a patty melt! Really great way to use your rye bread! Fun post – thanks.
That’s great John, glad you agree. Thanks!
You have left me hungry right in the morning..These look super good!
Thank you Shema!
These patty melts look so amazingly decadent and delicious. I haven’t had a patty melt in years and you’ve motivated me to make one soon. As always, amazing photos! Great post!
I hope you can enjoy one soon. Thanks, Bill!
I’m making one tonight thanks to these photos. Trade Joe’s Grass Fed Beef 85/15, Orowheat Jewish Rye. I must say, I have never seen such perfection in a photo essay as I see on this page. Truly Spectacular in every way, stunning to say the least!!! Just bought the book too, now hopefully my meal will achieve a success somewhat near yours….
That’s great, enjoy the book and patty melts!