This grilled cheese patty melt is a delightful twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, combining the savory flavors of a juicy beef patty with the gooey goodness of melted cheese. Perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings for comfort food.
If you don't usually keep rye bread or swiss cheese at home, you might need to pick these up at the supermarket. Rye bread adds a unique flavor that pairs wonderfully with the beef and cheese, while swiss cheese offers a creamy, slightly nutty taste that complements the other ingredients perfectly.

Ingredients For Grilled Cheese Patty Melts Recipe
Rye bread: A type of bread made with rye flour, known for its slightly sour taste and dense texture.
Swiss cheese: A mild cheese with a slightly nutty flavor and characteristic holes, perfect for melting.
Ground beef: The main protein component, providing a juicy and flavorful patty.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor when caramelized.
Butter: Used for grilling the bread to a golden brown, adding richness and flavor.
Technique Tip for Making Patty Melts
To achieve perfectly caramelized onions, cook them slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. This allows the natural sugars in the onions to break down and develop a deep, rich flavor without burning. Patience is key for this step, as rushing can result in unevenly cooked onions.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rye bread - Substitute with sourdough bread: Sourdough offers a similar tangy flavor and hearty texture, making it a great alternative for a patty melt.
rye bread - Substitute with whole wheat bread: Whole wheat bread provides a nutty flavor and is a healthier option with more fiber.
swiss cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the beef.
swiss cheese - Substitute with cheddar cheese: Cheddar adds a sharp, tangy flavor and melts beautifully, making it a popular choice for grilled sandwiches.
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can be seasoned to mimic the flavor of beef.
ground beef - Substitute with black bean patties: For a vegetarian option, black bean patties provide a similar texture and can be seasoned to enhance the flavor.
sliced onion - Substitute with caramelized shallots: Caramelized shallots offer a sweeter, more delicate flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
sliced onion - Substitute with grilled bell peppers: Grilled bell peppers add a sweet and smoky flavor, providing a different but delicious twist.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a healthier fat option and can be used for grilling to achieve a similar crispiness.
butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a higher smoke point and a rich, nutty flavor, making it a great alternative for grilling.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Patty Melts
How to Store or Freeze Patty Melts
- Allow the grilled cheese patty melts to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
- Wrap each patty melt individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the sandwiches from sticking together.
- Place the wrapped patty melts in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date for easy reference.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place the patty melts in the freezer, where they can be kept for up to 2 months.
- To reheat from the refrigerator, unwrap the patty melt and place it on a baking sheet. Warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
- For reheating from frozen, unwrap the patty melt and place it on a baking sheet. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the bread.
- Alternatively, you can reheat in a skillet over medium heat. Place the patty melt in the skillet, cover with a lid, and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Wrap each patty melt in aluminum foil to keep it from drying out.
- Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
- Place the patty melt in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
Microwave Method:
- Place the patty melt on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- For a crispier bread, you can finish it off in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the patty melt in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the patty melt on the toaster oven tray.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
Essential Tools for Making Patty Melts
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the beef patties and caramelizing the onions.
Spatula: A tool used for flipping the patties and the sandwiches to ensure even cooking.
Knife: Used for slicing the onions.
Cutting board: A surface for safely slicing the onions.
Mixing bowl: Used to form and season the ground beef patties.
Measuring spoons: For measuring the butter used in grilling.
Butter knife: For spreading butter on the bread slices.
Plate: To hold the cooked patties and caramelized onions temporarily.
Tongs: Useful for handling the hot patties and sandwiches.
Serving platter: For presenting the finished grilled cheese patty melts.
How to Save Time on Making Patty Melts
Pre-form patties: Shape the ground beef into patties and season them in advance. Store them in the fridge until ready to cook.
Pre-caramelize onions: Cook the sliced onions ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. Reheat when needed.
Use pre-sliced cheese: Buy pre-sliced swiss or american cheese to save time on preparation.
Butter in bulk: Butter all bread slices at once and stack them with parchment paper in between to keep them ready for grilling.
Cook multiple sandwiches: Use a large skillet or griddle to cook multiple patty melts at the same time.

Grilled Cheese Patty Melts Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 slices Bread preferably rye
- 4 slices Cheese Swiss or American
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 medium Onion sliced
- 2 tablespoon Butter for grilling
Instructions
- 1. Form the ground beef into 4 patties. Season with salt and pepper.
- 2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties until browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- 3. In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and cook until caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4. Butter one side of each bread slice. Place 4 slices, butter-side down, on the skillet. Top with a slice of cheese, a beef patty, some caramelized onions, another slice of cheese, and another slice of bread, butter-side up.
- 5. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- 6. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for Patty Melts
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