French Onion Patty Melt
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.
- Author: Nethan
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Pan-frying, caramelizing, toasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Toast the Texas toast. Lightly toast 4 slices of Texas toast until golden brown and set aside for assembling the sandwich bases.
- 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.
- 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.
- Spread mayonnaise. Carefully spread 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise on the top slice of each sandwich to help achieve a golden crust while frying.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 47 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Keywords: French Onion Patty Melt, caramelized onion sandwich, beef patty melt, Gruyere cheese sandwich, Texas toast sandwich