Smoked Bacon Patty Melt with Crisp Hashbrowns

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy bacon-infused beef patties layered with melted cheese and caramelized onions on toasted rye bread, served alongside golden, crispy hashbrowns. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 35 minutes pairs 80/20 blend ground beef, chopped smoked bacon, small, thinly sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 800 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 800 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 12 ounces ground beef with 4 chopped smoked bacon slices, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Form into 2 patties about 1/2 inch thick.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. Add 1 thinly sliced yellow onion and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until deeply caramelized and golden brown. Remove onions and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the 2 beef patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Place 2 slices of Swiss cheese on each patty during the last minute of cooking to melt.
  4. Step 4: While patties cook, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in another skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups frozen shredded hashbrowns in an even layer and press down gently. Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes until bottom is golden and crispy, then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until crisp on both sides.
  5. Step 5: Butter one side of each of the 4 rye bread slices with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Place 2 bread slices butter-side-down on a clean skillet over medium heat. Top each with a cheese-topped patty, caramelized onions, and then the other bread slice butter-side-up. Grill sandwiches 3-4 minutes per side until bread is toasted and golden.
  6. Step 6: Serve the bacon patty melts immediately with crispy hashbrowns on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoked Bacon Patty Melt with Crisp Hashbrowns take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Smoked Bacon Patty Melt with Crisp Hashbrowns?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep 80/20 blend ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Bacon Patty Melt with Crisp Hashbrowns?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Smoked Bacon Patty Melt with Crisp Hashbrowns for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Smoked Bacon Patty Melt with Crisp Hashbrowns?

American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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