🍽️ Serves
4 sandwiches
🕐 Total Time
-
Prep: 20 minutes
-
Cook: 25 minutes
-
Total: ~45 minutes
🧅 Ingredients
For the caramelized onions:
-
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
-
2 tbsp butter
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
Pinch of salt
-
1 tsp sugar (optional, helps browning)
For the burgers:
-
1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
-
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
-
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
-
4 slices Swiss cheese (or American, cheddar, or a mix)
-
8 slices rye bread (or sourdough / Texas toast)
-
3–4 tbsp butter, for grilling
🍔 For the Secret Sauce:
-
½ cup mayonnaise
-
2 tbsp ketchup
-
1 tbsp yellow mustard
-
1 tbsp pickle relish
-
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
-
Dash of hot sauce (optional)
-
Salt & pepper, to taste
Whisk all together until smooth. Chill until ready to use.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Caramelize the onions
-
In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter with olive oil.
-
Add onions, salt, and (optional) sugar.
-
Cook slowly, stirring often, for 20–25 minutes, until deep golden brown and soft.
-
Set aside.
2. Form and cook the patties
-
Divide beef into 4 equal portions and shape into thin, wide patties (about the size of your bread slices).
-
Season both sides with salt and pepper.
-
Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Cook patties for 3–4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
-
Add cheese slices on top of each patty during the last minute to melt.
3. Assemble the patty melts
-
Butter one side of each bread slice.
-
Spread secret sauce on the unbuttered side of half the slices.
-
Place one cheesy patty and a spoonful of caramelized onions on top.
-
Close with another slice of bread, buttered side out.
4. Grill the sandwiches
-
On a skillet or griddle over medium heat, cook each sandwich 2–3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and crisp.
-
Slice in half and serve immediately.
🧄 Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
-
Crispy fries or onion rings
-
Pickles on the side
-
A cold cola or root beer for that diner vibe
💡 Variations
-
Add grilled mushrooms or crispy bacon for extra indulgence.
-
Swap Swiss for pepper jack if you like a little heat.
-
Use thousand island dressing instead of the secret sauce for a quick version.
