The Complete Guide to Patty Melts
Four key components are often all that’s needed to make the tasty sandwich known as a patty melt. In addition to its availability on various restaurant menus, it can also be a delicious meal to make at home. In this guide, both new and longtime fans of patty melts can find out more about the following topics:
● Patty melt basics and preparation tips
● The history of the patty melt
● The differences between a patty melt vs. a cheeseburger
● Recipe ideas for patty melt variations
● Ways to customize a patty melt at your local Freddy’s or at home
For answers to common questions about patty melts, as well as patty melt preparation suggestions and customization recommendations, learn more about this scrumptious savory sandwich below!
What is a patty melt?
The four defining components of the patty melt are the rye bread, the ground beef patty, the cooked onions and melted cheese. As far as their preparation, here’s a quick breakdown:
Bread: Sourdough bread may have been the bread of choice in earlier preparations of this dish and remains a popular alternative with today’s diners. However, rye bread is most commonly used in and associated with the patty melt. Typically, the bread is buttered and toasted until golden after the sandwich is assembled.
Beef: This sandwich usually features thin ground beef patties. These patties may even be purposely sized and shaped to match the bread. Wondering how to achieve perfectly proportioned patties for this sandwich? The Kitchn offers tips on making these patties and patty melts in general.
Cheese: Swiss cheese is a classic choice, but other cheeses like American and cheddar are also frequently used in making a patty melt. In the patty melt recipe shared at Serious Eats, one helpful preparation tip is to use slices of both Swiss and another meltier option, like American cheese, and use more than one slice of each to achieve a truly gooey patty melt.
Onions: Classic patty melts don’t include familiar burger toppings like ketchup, mustard and other condiments. Therefore, aside from the flavors of the other three components of this sandwich, caramelized onions provide the subtly sweet, rich and earthy notes. Cooking these onions can take some time, as explained at Simply Recipes. So it may help to make them ahead of time or make a larger batch for today’s patty melts and freeze the rest for later.
Where and when did the patty melt originate?
Like the history of the cheeseburger, the patty melt’s origin story also has ties to California, though this specific sandwich was likely not the first to include a burger patty between slices of bread. The middle of the 20th century is often noted as a key point in the development and subsequent availability of the patty melt. As shared at Saveur, restaurant operator “Tiny” Naylor is often credited with originating this sandwich. While the patty melt may continue to be a familiar menu staple at diners and other quicker service restaurants as it was decades ago, this sandwich is also sometimes found at fine dining establishments today.
What is the difference between a patty melt vs. a cheeseburger?
The patty melt and the cheeseburger have clear similarities, specifically the presence of cheese and beef patties. However, in comparing the classic patty melt vs. cheeseburger, here are four of the main differences between these two items:
1. Patty melts feature bread instead of a bun.
As with a burger bun, the bread for a patty melt is typically toasted. However, to achieve this golden and crunchier texture, a patty melt may be grilled once assembled for this desired result. Typically, only the interior of burger buns are toasted, and this step usually happens prior to burger assembly instead of after construction as is often done with a patty melt. Additionally, as highlighted at Tasting Table, the patties and buns of cheeseburgers are often circular in contrast to the more rectangular and square shapes of the bread slices and patties for a patty melt.
2. All patty melt components are warm.
Unlike many popular seasonal burger toppings that are added cold such as lettuce, tomato, ketchup or mayonnaise, all of the key parts of a patty melt are cooked, toasted or warmed. For example, while burgers often feature raw onion slices, the patty melt typically uses cooked onions, usually caramelized.
3. A patty melt skips the addition of condiments.
Condiments like ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise are regular fixtures on homemade burgers and restaurant preparations alike. However, traditional patty melts typically don’t include spreads and sauces, although mayonnaise or butter are sometimes used to toast the bread.
4. Swiss cheese is the standard for a patty melt.
American cheese may be one of the best cheeses for cheeseburgers, but classic patty melts typically feature Swiss cheese. Additionally, cheese is one of two toppings featured on patty melts, whereas cheeseburgers often have several. For example, the Single Steakburger at Freddy’s includes mustard and pickles as well as cheese and fresh onion, though guests can opt to customize steakburgers and sandwiches with their preferred toppings.
How long does it take to make a patty melt?
Total patty melt preparation time largely depends on whether or not you need to prepare the onions and/or make the beef patties. For this sandwich, caramelizing the onions is perhaps the most time-consuming task. Despite the time required, these onions are fairly easy to prepare and cook as explained at Love and Lemons. However, they can take around an hour on average from start to finish, especially if you make a larger batch. Making your own burger patties and cooking them takes time too, but you can typically do these steps while the onions cook. Once each component is ready, you can assemble the sandwich quickly. Then you’ll just need a few more minutes to toast the bread and melt the cheese on the completed patty melt.
What sides pair well with patty melts?
While there may be several differences between the traditional patty melt vs. the classic cheeseburger, many of the same sides work equally well for both selections. Potato-based sides like crispy fries, chips or tots are popular choices. Onion rings are another option that complements the sandwich's onion flavor. To contrast the hearty warmth of the patty melt, salads and slaws may be a refreshing and potentially lighter choice.
3 Patty Melt Variations
In patty melt recipes and restaurant preparations, you may find more traditional versions of this sandwich or variations on one or more of its key ingredients. Here are three possibilities, ranging from a more subtle switch to a more notable shift in ingredients and flavors.
1. Onion Swap
Yellow onions are commonly used for caramelized onions, but red onions or shallots bring different flavors, even when prepared in this same way. For an even more unique onion component for a patty melt, scallions star in this recipe from Food & Wine. A creamy caramelized onion dip or spread may also be another tasty swap for this sandwich.
2. Vegetarian Patty Melts
In surveying the variety of patty melts available at different restaurants across the country, Bon Appétit includes sandwiches featuring meat-free patties, as well as traditional beef ones. When making your own patty melts, you might swap in a veggie burger patty of your choice or replace it entirely with a mushroom stand-in, as featured in the sandwich from one Brooklyn diner. Budget Bytes offers one approach to a mushroom-based patty melt and also recommends ways to serve this dish to vegan guests.
3. Spicy patty melts
Increasing the spice level is another way to change up a patty melt. For example, this recipe shared at Allrecipes includes the use of a seasoning, peppers, cheese and homemade sauce mixture designed to bring more heat to this warm sandwich.
How to Customize Your Patty Melt Order at Freddy’s
Served on toasted rye bread with two steakburger patties, Swiss cheese and grilled onions, Freddy’s Original Patty Melt closely adheres to the classic version of this dish. However, as with many other menu selections, guests can further customize patty melt orders to their specifications. Learn more below about how guests can create their own patty melt variations and customize a patty melt meal at Freddy’s:
1. Swap the rye bread for a lettuce wrap.
A lettuce wrap adds a refreshing, cooling element to this warm, hearty sandwich. The omission of the bun or bread for any burger and use of a lettuce wrap instead is also a way to reduce the total calories in an order.
2. Incorporate more meat into the patty melt.
With a patty melt and other steakburgers, guests can add an extra steakburger patty or other selections like slices of prime rib or crispy bacon. For a little spicy flair, chili is also available.
3. Switch up the Swiss cheese.
Although Swiss cheese may be the standard for patty melts, not everyone is a fan of this cheese. Whether you’d prefer a more familiar cheese like American cheese, pepper jack cheese or a blend of two different cheeses, you are invited to customize the cheese in your patty melt to maximize your delight in enjoying this sandwich.
4. Layer on other toppings of choice.
Whether you want to swap grilled onions for fresh, raw slices or add a little heat with chili or fire-roasted jalapeños, these options and more are available. Plus, if you’d prefer a sauce on your patty melt or as a side for dipping, explore more than 10 choices, including three of Freddy’s specialty fry sauces.
5. Choose a classic or more unique side for your patty melt combo meal.
When ordering Freddy’s Original Patty Melt Combo, guests can customize the sandwich, sides, and drinks. Sides like regular Freddy’s Fries or Tots and Freddy’s Kettle Chips are available at no additional charge. However, guests can upgrade to a larger size or other selections like Bacon Loaded Tots, Onion Rings or Cheese Curds for a few extra dollars. Similarly, frozen custard treats or a choice of Freddy’s Bevies are some of the possible drink upgrades from the standard medium fountain drink.
From patty melts and steakburgers to tasty frozen custard treats and an assortment of sides, delicious sweet and savory selections are available at your local Freddy’s! Download the Freddy’s app (on Google Play or the App Store) today, so you can find and then place your order at the Freddy’s near you!