French Onion Patty Melt

1. Prepare the French Onion Topping:

1. In a large skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to caramelize and turn golden brown.
3. Sprinkle sugar over the onions to aid in the caramelization process.
4. Once the onions are nicely caramelized, pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add fresh thyme leaves if desired. Set the French onion topping aside.

2. Prepare the Patties:

1. Divide the ground beef into four equal portions. Form each portion into a patty and season with salt and black pepper.
2. In the same skillet or a separate one, cook the beef patties over medium-high heat until they reach your preferred level of doneness.

3. Assemble the Patty Melts:

1. Butter one side of each slice of rye bread.
2. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on the unbuttered side of four slices of bread.
3. Top the cheese with a cooked beef patty.
4. Spoon a generous amount of the French onion topping over the patty.
5. Place a second slice of Swiss cheese on top of the onions.
6. Complete the sandwich with another slice of rye bread, buttered side facing out.

4. Grill the Patty Melts:

1. In a clean skillet over medium heat, grill each sandwich until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, flipping halfway through.
2. Press the sandwiches down with a spatula while grilling to ensure they are evenly cooked and the cheese is melted.

5. Serve:

1. Once the patty melts are golden brown and the cheese is gooey, remove them from the skillet.
2. Slice diagonally and serve hot.

Enjoy your French Onion Patty Melt with its savory French onion topping, juicy beef patty, and gooey Swiss cheese! It’s a flavorful twist on the classic patty melt.