Diner-Style Patty Melt

Name: Diner-Style Patty Melt
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1 pound ground beef chuck (20% fat), or 4 vegetarian patties such as Lightlife Plant-Based Burgers; 1 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 8 slices rye bread; 1 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided; 1 1 large onion, sliced into 1/4" rounds; 1 8 thin slices cheddar, American, or Swiss cheese; 1 8 teaspoons mayonnaise; 1 divided

From the kitchen of Carly

Thin, crispy-edged beef patties get sandwiched with charred onions and melted cheese on rye bread, toasted until golden. It's a diner classic that's equal parts crunchy and gooey, best eaten warm with your hands.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

11 pound ground beef chuck (20% fat), or 4 vegetarian patties such as Lightlife Plant-Based Burgers
11 teaspoon kosher salt
11/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
18 slices rye bread
12 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
11 large onion, sliced into 1/4" rounds
18 thin slices cheddar, American, or Swiss cheese
18 teaspoons mayonnaise
1divided

Instructions

Season beef with salt and pepper; divide into 4 patties. Form each patty into a thin oval that is slightly larger than a slice of bread you’re using.
Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet or griddle, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook onion slices in a single layer, being careful not to let rings separate, until softened and charred, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and divide into individual rings.
Add remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to skillet. Working in batches if needed, cook patties, pressing flat with a spatula, until browned but still pink in the center, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
Wipe out skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Top each slice of bread with 1 cheese slice, 1 patty, one-quarter of the onions, another slice of cheese, then a second slice of bread. Spread tops of each sandwich with 1 tsp. mayonnaise. Working in batches if needed, cook sandwiches, mayo side down, spreading the top of each sandwich with 1 tsp. mayonnaise, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.