Frederic Melton
A patty melt is a sandwich made with a beef patty, cheese, and caramelized onions. The type of cheese used can vary, but it should be a good melting cheese such as Swiss, American, provolone, or cheddar. To melt the cheese, the sandwich is grilled in a skillet or cooked in a pan over medium heat. The bread can be toasted in butter before constructing the sandwich, which gives the cheese a head start on melting. Patty melts are a cross between a grilled cheese sandwich and a burger and are considered a classic diner dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Swiss, American, Provolone, Cheddar, Colby-Jack, Gruyère, Sharp Cheddar |
| Type of bread | Rye, Sourdough, Texas Toast, Wheat, White |
| Other ingredients | Beef patty, caramelized onions, mushrooms, butter, Thousand Island dressing, mayonnaise, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce |
| Cooking method | Grilled, skillet |
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What You'll Learn
Use a skillet to cook the patty
Using a skillet is a great way to cook your patty melt. Start by caramelising your onions in the skillet, setting them aside, and then cooking your patties. If you want to speed up the cooking process, you can cook the onions and patties at the same time in separate skillets.
To cook your patty, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place your patty on the skillet and cook for 3 minutes on each side. If your patty is thin, this should be enough time to cook it through. If you are using a thicker patty, you may need to cook it for 4 to 6 minutes per side. You can also "chop" the meat after the first flip to create a larger surface area, resulting in a crispier texture.
Once your patty is cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it cool. Then, add your cheese to the patty while it is still hot so that the cheese melts. You can use Swiss cheese, American cheese, Colby-Jack cheese, or a combination of shredded cheddar, gouda, and jack cheese.
If you want to add a salty kick to your patty melt, sprinkle a bit of kosher salt over the skillet before adding the sandwich. This will create a delicious, salty crust.
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Toast the bread
Toasting the bread is an important step in making a patty melt. It warms the bread, helping the cheese to melt and ensuring that the two fuse together. It also adds a desirable crunch to the sandwich.
There are several ways to toast bread without a toaster. One popular method is to use a skillet. Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat and place the bread directly on the hot pan. It is recommended to use a non-stick pan, but a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet will also work. You can also add butter to the pan, which will help the bread to brown and add flavour. If you are using butter, make sure to spread it on the bread and place the bread butter-side down. Keep the heat at a medium temperature and check the bread every minute or so to ensure it doesn't burn.
You can also toast bread in the oven. Place the bread on a sheet pan and put it under the broiler. It is important to keep a close eye on the bread when using this method, as it can go from untoasted to burnt very quickly. Leaving the oven door ajar and watching the bread as it toasts can help prevent burning.
Another option is to use a stovetop grill, such as an Argentinian stovetop toaster. Place the metal plate over a flame on the stove and put the bread on the grates to heat up. This method will give your toast grill marks and a toasted flavour.
Whichever method you choose, toasting the bread is a key step in constructing a delicious and gooey patty melt.
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Choose the right cheese
The cheese you choose for your patty melt is important. A good melting cheese is key to the success of this sandwich. Swiss cheese is a popular choice, with its good flavour and meltability. However, some find that it doesn't quite achieve the desired oozy consistency. For this reason, many people opt for American cheese, which has superior gooeyness. Combining the two cheeses can bring the best of both worlds to your patty melt.
Other cheeses that melt well include Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and provolone. If you're making grilled cheese patty melts, Colby-Jack cheese is a popular choice. Ultimately, you can use any cheese you like, but it's best to choose one that melts well and complements the other flavours in your sandwich.
For a classic patty melt, you'll want to use two slices of cheese per sandwich. Place the first slice on the bread, followed by the patty, onions, and then the second slice of cheese. Top with the second slice of bread, buttered-side up. This construction will ensure that the cheese melts evenly and binds the sandwich together.
If you're making a double-cheese patty melt, you can tear the cheese into pieces and arrange them on the bread slices for maximum coverage. This will take your sandwich to the next level in terms of cheesiness!
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Add vegetables
When making a patty melt, you can add vegetables like mushrooms or peppers. You can also add vegetables such as parsley and garlic to the beef patty mixture.
To add vegetables to your patty melt, start by cooking the vegetables in a skillet or on a griddle. If you're using mushrooms, thinly slice them and cook them with onions in butter or oil for 20-30 minutes until they're soft, silky, and caramelized. You can also add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the vegetables while they're cooking for extra flavour.
If you're using other vegetables, such as peppers, simply slice or chop them to your desired thickness and cook them in a skillet or on a griddle until they reach your desired level of doneness. You can cook them on their own or together with onions or other vegetables.
Once your vegetables are cooked, you can start assembling your patty melt. Place a slice of bread on a clean surface and add a slice of cheese, followed by a beef patty, a spoonful of your cooked vegetables, and another slice of cheese. Top it off with another slice of bread, and you're ready to grill your sandwich until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
Feel free to experiment with different types of vegetables and cheeses to find your favourite combinations. You can also adjust the cooking times and temperatures to suit your preferences and equipment. Enjoy your vegetable-loaded patty melt!
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Flip the sandwich
To melt cheese on a patty, you'll want to cook your patty melt sandwich in a skillet. Start by cooking your patty and chosen vegetables in a skillet. You can use vegetables like onions, mushrooms, or peppers. If using onions, it's best to cook them slowly to make caramelized onions. Once your patty and vegetables are cooked, set them aside.
Next, you'll want to toast the bread for your sandwich. You can toast the bread in butter to give the bread a head start on warming up, which will help the cheese melt. You can use a variety of bread types, such as sourdough, rye, Texas toast, or simple sandwich bread.
Now it's time to assemble your sandwich. Layer the beef patties, vegetables, and cheese slices between two slices of bread. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as Swiss, provolone, cheddar, or American.
Finally, it's time to flip the sandwich. Butter the outsides of the sandwich and cook it in a pan over medium heat. Cover the pan with a lid to help the cheese melt faster. Cook the sandwich for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
Once your sandwich is toasted to perfection, remove it from the pan, slice it, and serve it. Enjoy your delicious, cheesy patty melt!
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Frequently asked questions
Place the cheese on the patty and cook in a skillet over medium heat until the cheese has melted. Covering the pan with a lid will help the cheese melt faster.
Swiss cheese, American cheese, provolone, and cheddar are all good melting cheeses. A combination of Swiss and American cheeses will bring flavour and meltability.
Patty melts typically include a beef patty, cheese, and bread. You can also add onions, preferably sweet yellow or Vidalia onions, which should be cooked slowly until caramelised. You can also add mushrooms, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
