Slimmed Down Bison Patty Melt Recipes

PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter with the vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the onions are golden and caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the beef, pork, Worcestershire, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form each into a patty in the shape of and a little larger than a slice of the rye bread.
• Add some oil to a large griddle pan and set it over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the burgers in batches if needed, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Remove the burgers to a platter and cover loosely with foil. Repeat with the remaining burgers if needed.
• Set a large skillet or griddle pan over medium-low heat (or wipe out the griddle pan from the burgers and use that). Butter one side of each slice of rye bread with 1/2 tablespoon of the remaining butter and place the bread slices butter-side down on the griddle. Lay 2 slices of cheese on 6 of the bread slices, then add a burger, one-sixth of the onions and 2 more slices of cheese on top. Place one of the remaining bread slices on top of each sandwich, buttered-side up. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown and the bottom cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a spatula, flip the sandwiches to toast the other sides and melt the cheese, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a platter and cover loosely with foil.
• Slice each sandwich in half to serve.

CLASSIC PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft and golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Mix the ground meat with the ketchup, Worcestershire, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Form the meat into 4 oblong patties in the approximate size and shape of the bread (they should be a little less than 1/2-inch-thick).
• Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until the foam subsides. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until cooked to medium doneness, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Add salt and pepper, if desired. Transfer to a plate.
• Wipe the skillet clean. Butter one side of half of the bread slices, then place them butter-side down in the skillet. Add a slice of cheese on top of each slice of bread, then add the patties and onions. Lay one more slice of cheese on top of the onions, then add the top slices of bread. Butter the top of the bread. Flip the sandwiches and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Cook the remaining sandwiches with the remaining butter in the same manner.
• Cut the patty melts in half and serve immediately.

PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Place the meat on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and, using your hands, break into small pieces and combine evenly. Arrange in a single layer and season the meat with salt and pepper.
• Divide the meat into 6 portions (about 4 ounces each). Using your hands, form each portion into a ball-shape by gently tossing it from one hand to the other. Form each portion into a thin patty (about 1/4-inch). Each patty should be somewhat larger than a slice of the bread (the patty will shrink to the size of the bread when cooked).
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 7 minutes. Transfer the onion to a bowl.
• Wipe out the skillet, return to the heat, and heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add 2 patties and saute, turning once, until well browned and cooked to medium, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining oil and patties.
• Arrange 1/6 of the onion over 1 bread slice. Place 1 cheese slice over the onion and top with a patty. Top the patty with a slice of cheese and cover with a bread slice. Spread about 2 teaspoons of butter over the outside of each slice. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 6 sandwiches.
• Heat the cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 2 sandwiches and cook, turning once, until lightly browned and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining 4 sandwiches. Cut sandwiches in half crosswise and serve.

PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Place the meat on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and, using your hands, break it up into small pieces and combine evenly. Season the meat with salt and pepper to taste.
• Divide the meat into 6 portions (about 4 ounces each). Using your hands, form each portion into a ball shape by gently tossing it from one hand to the other. Form each portion into a thin patty. Each patty should be somewhat larger than a slice of the rye bread since it will shrink when cooked.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 7 minutes. Transfer the onion to a bowl.
• Wipe out the skillet; return to the heat, and heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add 2 patties and saute, turning once, until well browned and cooked to medium, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining oil and patties.
• Arrange 1/6 of the onion over one bread slice. Place 1 cheese slice over the onion and top with a patty. Top the patty with a slice of cheese and cover with a bread slice. Spread about 2 teaspoons of butter over the outside of each slice. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 6 sandwiches.
• Heat the cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 2 sandwiches and cook, turning once, until lightly browned and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining 4 sandwiches. Cut sandwiches in half crosswise and serve.