Lunch: Diner-Style Patty Melt

Recipe by Anna Stockwell This classic diner mash-up of a grilled cheese sandwich and a hamburger is stuffed with thick, sweet rings of pan-seared onion.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef chuck (20% fat)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 slices rye bread
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 large onion, sliced into 1/4" rounds
8 thin slices cheddar, American, or Swiss cheese
8 teaspoons mayonnaise, divided

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.

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