Cooking Instructions
Begin by preparing the caramelized onions. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter or cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they're soft and golden brown, about 35 minutes.
If you prefer a sweeter flavor, you can cook them on low heat for up to 3 hours.
While the onions are caramelizing, prepare the secret sauce. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, and any additional ingredients you desire, such as Dijon mustard, pickle juice, paprika, garlic powder, and sweet pickle relish. Adjust the flavors to your liking and set the sauce aside.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, then shape the beef mixture into oval patties. Higher fat content in beef leads to more shrinkage during cooking, so keep that in mind when choosing your meat.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a little butter or cooking oil. Cook the patties for about 2-4 minutes on each side, or until they're nicely browned and cooked through. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside.
To assemble the sandwiches, layer one slice of bread with the secret sauce, followed by a layer of caramelized onions, a cooked beef patty, and your choice of cheese. Top with another slice of bread.
In the same skillet, add more butter or oil as needed, and place the assembled sandwiches in the skillet. Cook over medium heat, flipping once, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 3 minutes per side.
Extra Tips
For the best Patty Melt experience, be sure to keep an eye on the heat while cooking both the onions and the sandwiches to prevent burning.
If you like your onions extra sweet, let them caramelize longer while stirring occasionally.
Additionally, feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as Swiss or cheddar, to find your perfect flavor combination.
Serve with a side of fries or a fresh salad for a complete meal!