Patty Melt with Caramelized Onions & Bacon
A rich and comforting patty melt featuring juicy beef patties, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and sweet caramelized onions, all pressed between buttery bread.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef A blend of 80/20 fat for juiciness.
- 4 slices Sourdough Bread Thick-cut for the perfect crunch; you can substitute with rye.
- 4 slices Cheddar Cheese Sharp or mild, Gruyère is also a great twist.
- 1 large Onion, thinly sliced Sweet onions prefered, but yellow onions work well too.
- 4 slices Bacon For smoky flavor; turkey bacon is a lighter option.
- 4 tbsp Butter Essential for golden crust; olive oil can be a substitute.
- to taste Salt and Pepper Enhances all flavors.
Instructions
Cooking
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onions. Stir them in the bacon grease, and cook for about 10-12 minutes until golden brown, seasoning with a pinch of salt to draw out sweetness.
- While the onions are cooking, shape the ground beef into two equal patties and season them generously with salt and pepper.
- Push the onions to one side of the pan, increase heat to medium-high, and add the beef patties. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, placing a slice of cheese on each patty during the last minute.
- Butter one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of two slices, layer with the patty, melted cheese, caramelized onions, and crispy bacon. Top with remaining slices, buttered side facing out.
- Heat the skillet over medium heat and grill the sandwiches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Slice the sandwiches in half and serve hot, allowing the melty cheese to ooze out.
Notes
For a healthy option, you can substitute ground turkey or a plant-based burger. Add fresh spinach or sautéed mushrooms for an extra flavor twist. For a breakfast version, top with a fried egg.