Smoked Gouda Caramelized Onion Patty Melt Dippers

Ingredients

Onions and beef

• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp fine salt
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ tsp fine salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Sandwiches and dip

• 8 slices rye bread
• 4 oz (115 g) thinly sliced smoked Gouda
• 2 tbsp softened unsalted butter, for the bread
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp finely chopped dill pickle
• 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves, for garnish

Equipment

Large skillet, spatula, thermometer

Allergens and ingredient notes: Wheat, milk, egg; Dijon may contain additional allergens.

Step by step

1. Heat the onion butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and its ¼ tsp salt. Cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring, until deeply golden. Add the measured water a little at a time if needed to loosen browned bits; let it evaporate. Transfer onions to a bowl.
2. Divide beef into eight thin patties shaped to fit the bread. Season both sides with the beef salt and pepper. Cook in the skillet over medium-high heat for about 2–3 minutes per side, until each center reaches 160°F (71°C).
3. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix mayonnaise, Dijon, and chopped pickle for the dipping sauce. Butter one side of each bread slice with the separate softened butter.
4. Toast the bread butter-side down in the skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until crisp underneath. Transfer to a baking sheet, butter-side down. Top each slice with one cooked patty and its share of Gouda and onions. Bake for 5–7 minutes until the cheese melts.
5. Rest 2 minutes, then cut each open-faced melt into three strips with a sharp knife. Sprinkle the thyme over the strips and serve immediately with the mustard-pickle dip.

The Devotti twist: The strip cut gives each bite toasted rye edges and makes the smoky cheese-and-onion melt easy to dip.

Make ahead and storage

Refrigerate melts and dip separately within 2 hours; use within 3 days. Reheat melts to 165°F (74°C).

Image: AI-generated recipe illustration; homemade results and presentation will vary.