Diner-Style Ground Beef Patty Melt

Ingredients

• 12 oz Ground Beef
• 4 slices rye bread
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp butter, divided
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tsp pickle brine
• Salt and black pepper

Method

1. Cook the onion in 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and sweet, 15 minutes — the melt is only as good as its onions.
2. Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup, and pickle brine into a quick special sauce.
3. Shape the Ground Beef into two thin patties slightly bigger than the bread. Season hard and sear in a hot skillet 2–3 minutes per side to 160°F (71°C), pressing once for a crust.
4. Build each sandwich: sauce, cheese, patty, onions, more cheese, top slice. Butter the outsides.
5. Griddle over medium heat, pressing gently, 3 minutes per side, until the rye is burnished and the Swiss is fully committed. Halve diagonally and serve hot.