Classic American Diner Sandwich (Printable)

Juicy beef, caramelized onions, and melted cheese layered in buttery grilled bread slices.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Onions

04 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 1 tsp sugar

→ Sandwich Assembly

07 - 8 slices rye bread or sourdough
08 - 8 slices Swiss cheese or American cheese
09 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Optional

10 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
11 - 1 tbsp mayonnaise

# How to Prepare:

01 - Melt 2 tbsp butter over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Add sliced onions and sugar, stirring often, and cook until deeply golden and caramelized, about 20–25 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Season ground beef with salt and black pepper. Form into four thin oval patties approximately the size of bread slices.
03 - Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 2–3 minutes per side until browned and just cooked through. Remove from heat.
04 - Arrange eight bread slices. Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each. Optionally, spread Dijon mustard or mayonnaise on the opposite, unbuttered side.
05 - On four bread slices (unbuttered side up), layer one slice of cheese, a cooked patty, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, and another cheese slice. Top each with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.
06 - Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook sandwiches for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese has melted.
07 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let rest for 1–2 minutes, then slice in half and serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Classic Flavor Profile: The combination of savory beef, sharp Swiss cheese, and sweet caramelized onions is unbeatable.
  • Easy Preparation: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a restaurant-quality meal at home.
  • Perfect Texture: Enjoy the contrast between the crispy, buttery bread and the tender, juicy filling.
02 -
  • Patience with Onions: Don't rush the onions; cooking them slowly over medium-low heat is essential to achieve that deep, sweet caramelized flavor.
  • Press Gently: When grilling the final sandwich, press down gently with a spatula to help the cheese melt and bind the bread to the filling.
  • Resting Time: Letting the sandwich rest for a minute or two before slicing helps keep the juices inside the meat rather than on your cutting board.
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