Print

French Onion Patty Melt

French Onion Patty Melt

5.2 from 16 reviews

A delicious and hearty French Onion Patty Melt featuring caramelized onions, juicy ground beef patties, melted Gruyere cheese, and a flavorful garlic aioli spread, all layered between toasted Texas toast slices and pan-fried to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Onions and Butter

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 yellow onions, sliced thin

Beef Patties

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Cheese and Bread

  • 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • 12 slices Texas toast

Mayonnaise and Aioli

  • 8 teaspoons mayonnaise (for spreading)
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise (for aioli)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 3 cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup

Instructions

  1. Cook onions. In a medium skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring often, until they become caramelized and golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Add water occasionally to prevent burning. Once done, remove from skillet and tent to keep warm.
  2. Mix beef and seasonings. In a large bowl, combine 2 pounds of ground beef, 1 tablespoon ketchup, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Mix gently until evenly combined.
  3. Make patties. Shape the beef mixture into 8 square patties, each slightly larger than the bread slices and about ¼ inch thick for perfect coverage and even cooking.
  4. Cook patties. Wipe out the skillet and preheat it to medium-high heat. Add two patties at a time, cooking each side for 1-2 minutes until just browned but not overcooked. Remove patties and set aside.
  5. Toast the Texas toast. Lightly toast 4 slices of Texas toast until golden brown and set aside for assembling the sandwich bases.
  6. Combine aioli ingredients. In a small bowl, mix ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon fresh chopped parsley, and 1 tablespoon ketchup until smooth. This will be the flavorful garlic aioli spread.
  7. Assemble sandwich. Take 4 untoasted slices of Texas toast and layer on the bottom slice a handful of shredded Gruyere cheese, one cooked hamburger patty, caramelized onions, then a toasted slice spread on both sides with the garlic aioli. Add more cheese, a second beef patty, and more onions, then top with a final slice of bread.
  8. Spread mayonnaise. Carefully spread 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise on the top slice of each sandwich to help achieve a golden crust while frying.
  9. Fry sandwiches. Wipe out the skillet and heat to medium. Place the sandwiches in the skillet with the mayonnaise side down. Place a weighted pan or press on top to hold the sandwich firmly. Cook for about 3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Remove the press, spread 1 teaspoon mayonnaise on the top side, and flip carefully. Cook for an additional 3 minutes or until the second side is golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use thinly sliced onions for best caramelization and flavor development.
  • Add water while cooking onions to prevent them from burning without drying out.
  • Make sure beef patties are slightly larger than the bread so every bite includes meat.
  • Using Gruyere cheese gives a nutty and creamy flavor ideal for patty melts.
  • Pressing the sandwich while frying ensures even browning and melting.
  • The garlic aioli adds a fresh and tangy contrast to the richness of beef and cheese.
  • Serve with pickles or a crisp side salad to balance the richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: French Onion Patty Melt, caramelized onion sandwich, beef patty melt, Gruyere cheese sandwich, Texas toast sandwich