Andy Montoya
A patty melt is a sandwich that is a variant of the traditional American cheeseburger. It is made with a ground beef patty, melted cheese, and caramelized onions between two slices of griddled bread. The type of cheese used in a classic patty melt is a topic of debate among food enthusiasts. While some prefer the traditional Swiss cheese, others opt for American cheese to achieve a gooier texture. Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on personal preference, as both options have their unique characteristics and contribute differently to the overall flavour and texture of the sandwich.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Swiss, American, Provolone, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Muenster, Havarti, or any cheese |
| Number of cheese slices | One or two |
| Bread | Crispy crunchy bread, preferably rye, sourdough, French, or Texas toast |
| Patty | Thin beef patty |
| Toppings | Salty and slightly sweet caramelized onions, thousand island dressing, burger sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Patty melts are made with Swiss cheese
The patty melt is a variant of the traditional American cheeseburger, typically served on sliced bread instead of a bun. It is also considered a variant of a grilled cheese sandwich that includes a hamburger patty and fried onions. The key to a good patty melt is the combination of flavours and textures, with a smooth transition from the buttery crust to the melted onions, gooey cheese, and juicy beef.
While Swiss cheese is the traditional choice for a classic patty melt, some people prefer the oozy quality of American cheese. Others opt for a combination of the two, using both American and Swiss cheeses to benefit from their unique characteristics. Ultimately, the type of cheese used in a patty melt is a matter of personal preference, and home cooks can experiment with different cheeses to find their favourite.
Swiss cheese is known for its decent flavour and meltability, while American cheese is designed for melting and provides a saltier punch. For those who prefer Swiss cheese, it is recommended to use a generous amount to ensure the sandwich is sufficiently gooey. Additionally, Swiss cheese pairs exceptionally well with rye bread, a classic choice for patty melts.
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Patty melts can be made with American cheese
Patty melts are a variant of the traditional American cheeseburger, typically made with a ground beef patty, melted cheese, and caramelized onions between two slices of griddled bread. While Swiss cheese is the traditional choice, American cheese can also be used to make a delicious patty melt.
When it comes to choosing the right cheese for a patty melt, the key factor to consider is meltability. American cheese is known for its excellent melting properties, thanks to its high processing and the presence of emulsifying salts. This makes it a great option for a patty melt, as the melted cheese combines with the other ingredients to create a cohesive sandwich that is easy to eat.
Using American cheese in a patty melt can also add a salty punch to the overall flavor of the sandwich. While Swiss cheese has a more subtle flavor, American cheese is saltier and can provide a bolder taste. If you prefer a more pronounced cheese flavor in your patty melt, American cheese is a good choice.
Additionally, American cheese is convenient and easily accessible. It is widely available in most grocery stores and is typically more affordable than specialty cheeses. This makes it a practical option for those who want to make a patty melt at home without having to search for specific types of cheese.
However, it is worth noting that some people may prefer the classic combination of Swiss cheese and rye bread, which is considered one of the greatest flavor pairings. Ultimately, the choice between American and Swiss cheese comes down to personal preference, and both options can result in a delicious and satisfying patty melt.
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Using both Swiss and American cheese
A patty melt is a variant of the traditional American cheeseburger, served on sliced bread instead of a bun. It is a combination of a ground beef patty, melted cheese, and caramelized onions between two slices of griddled bread. The classic patty melt uses Swiss cheese, but some people prefer the more gooey texture of American cheese.
The choice between Swiss and American cheese for a patty melt ultimately comes down to personal preference. Swiss cheese is the traditional choice and is known for its decent flavour and meltability. However, American cheese is made for melting and will give you a gooier texture.
If you want to get the best of both worlds, you can use both Swiss and American cheese in your patty melt. This combination will give you the perfect balance of flavour and meltability. You can try using one slice of each cheese or experiment with different amounts to find your preferred ratio.
When making a patty melt with both Swiss and American cheese, the process is similar to the classic recipe. You will need ground beef, sliced bread (rye is traditional, but you can also use sourdough or Texas toast), butter, onions, and your choice of condiments. Start by grilling the onions in a skillet until they are caramelized. Next, cook the beef patties in the same skillet, then set them aside. Wipe the skillet clean and add butter, then place the slices of bread in the skillet to toast one side. On each slice of bread in the skillet, add a slice of Swiss cheese, followed by a patty, caramelized onions, and another slice of American cheese. Top each sandwich with the remaining slices of bread, buttered side up. Finally, grill the sandwiches until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
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Alternatives to Swiss or American cheese
While Swiss and American cheese are the most popular choices for a patty melt, you can experiment with other types of cheese. If you're looking for alternatives to American cheese, you can try Colby, Muenster, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Havarti, or Provolone. These cheeses melt well and can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers. For a sharper flavour, opt for aged Provolone.
If you're looking for a substitute for Swiss cheese, you can consider Fontina, Cheddar, Comté, Emmentaler, Gruyère, or Vacherin. These cheeses melt smoothly and are suitable for fondue. For a stronger flavour, choose Comté, a premium cheese from the Jura region of North-East France.
When making a patty melt, it's important to note that the cheese should be added while the burger is still on the heat. This is because a patty melt is essentially a grilled cheese sandwich with a burger patty inside. The cheese should be melted to perfection, creating a creamy and velvety texture.
While some people prefer the classic combination of Swiss or American cheese, others enjoy exploring different flavours and textures by substituting these cheeses with alternatives. Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on personal preference and the desired taste profile.
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The history of the patty melt
The patty melt is an American grilled hamburger consisting of a ground beef patty topped with melted cheese and caramelized onions between two slices of griddled seeded-rye bread. It is described as a variant of the traditional American cheeseburger, topped with fried onions and served on sliced bread instead of a bun. It is also likened to a grilled cheese sandwich that includes a hamburger patty and fried onions.
While it is unclear when the patty melt was invented, it was most likely in the mid-20th century, either during the Great Depression or the postwar economic boom. Several culinary writers have suggested that Los Angeles restaurateur Tiny Naylor may have invented the patty melt sometime between 1930 and 1959. It was on the menu at his modernist drive-in, Tiny Naylor's, in the early 1950s.
Naylor's granddaughter, Jennifer Naylor, recalled eating patty melts with milkshakes at the restaurant as a child. She later included them on the menu at Wolfgang Puck's Granita in Malibu when she was the executive chef there in the late 1990s. Her father, Biff, put a patty melt on the menu when he bought the restaurant chain Du-par's in 2004. He named the sandwich "Tiny's Classic".
While it is generally agreed that Naylor and his family helped popularize the sandwich, it is unclear whether he was the originator. The patty melt is now a standard offering at various restaurants and fast-food chains across the United States, including Steak 'n Shake, Friendly's, Little Goat in Chicago, and Pork Slope in Brooklyn.
The classic patty melt traditionally features Swiss cheese, although some variations use American cheese, cheddar cheese, or even cheese-encrusted bread. The official ingredients for a patty melt are relatively simple, but the sandwich allows for numerous substitutions and variations.
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Frequently asked questions
Swiss cheese is traditionally used in a patty melt. However, American cheese is also a popular choice, as it has a gooier texture.
Yes, you can use any cheese you like in a patty melt. Popular alternatives include cheddar, provolone, muenster, havarti, and mozzarella.
A patty melt is a sandwich made with a ground beef patty, melted cheese, and caramelized onions between two slices of griddled bread. It is a variant of the traditional American cheeseburger, typically served on sliced bread instead of a bun.
