1. Prep the Onions

• In a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes, or until the onions are soft and caramelized. They should turn a lovely golden brown. If they start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.

2. Make the Patties

• While the onions are cooking, shape the ground beef into four equal patties. Try to make them slightly larger than the bread since they’ll shrink while cooking.
• Season both sides with salt and pepper.

3. Cook the Patties

• In a separate skillet, heat a tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beef patties. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side without moving them around to get a nice sear.
• Flip the patties and cook for another 3-4 minutes for medium-rare, or until they reach your desired doneness. In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty to melt. Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt faster.

4. Assemble the Patty Melts

• Once the patties are cooked, remove them from the skillet and set them aside. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and lower the heat to medium.
• Lay out 4 slices of bread in the skillet. Top each with a cheesy patty, then a generous scoop of caramelized onions, and finish with another slice of bread.

5. Grill the Sandwiches

• Grill each sandwich for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted. You can use a spatula to press down slightly to ensure even cooking.
• Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, and adjust the heat as necessary.

6. Serve

• Once they’re perfectly grilled, remove the patty melts from the skillet and let them rest for a minute. Then, slice in half and serve with your favorite pickles or dipping sauces.