Patty Melt

Ingredients

• 1 lbground beef (80/20)$7.93
• 8 slicemarbled rye bread$1.21
• 4 eachSwiss cheese slices$3.04
• 2 eachyellow onions, thinly sliced$2.73
• 4 tbspunsalted butter$0.71
• 1 tbspWorcestershire sauce$0.27
• 1 tspkosher salt$0.02
• 0.5 tspblack pepper$0.09
• Total for 4 servings$16.00

Most of the cost is ground beef (80/20) ($7.93) and swiss cheese slices ($3.04). With oil, spices and staples already at home, the shop drops to about $14.50. Prices are estimated for the amount used, at average US grocery prices (November 2026).

Steps

1. In a mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Shape into 4 oval patties roughly the same size and contour as the marbled rye bread slices.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, deep golden brown, and caramelized, about 15 minutes, then transfer them to a plate.
3. Increase the heat to medium-high in the same skillet and cook the beef patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until well browned and cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) with no pink remaining; transfer to a plate.
4. Wipe the skillet clean. Butter one side of each slice of marbled rye bread with the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. On the unbuttered sides of 4 slices, layer a slice of Swiss cheese, a cooked patty, caramelized onions, and the remaining bread slices with the buttered side facing outward.
5. Return the skillet to medium-low heat and griddle the sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is crisp and golden and the cheese has melted.
6. Cut each patty melt in half and serve hot.