• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Family Food on the Table
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dishes
  • Baby Food
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dishes
  • Baby Food
  • Subscribe
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Turkey

Turkey Patty Melt Sandwich

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: Mar 13, 2025 | Published: Sep 26, 2018
This post may contain affiliate links. See my 
disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe
Pin

This ground turkey patty melt sandwich is a healthier version of the diner classic and always hits the spot! This melty, cheesy, meaty sandwich is perfect for an easy lunch or dinner the whole family will love!A turkey patty melt sandwich cut and stacked on a white plate alongside some potato chips with a fry sauce in a bowl in the background.

This recipe first appeared on Real Housemoms, where I am a contributor.

Today’s ground turkey patty melt recipe is a pretty quick and easy one that’s great for a family dinner.

And it'll make you feel like you’re at a really good classic diner. Without the sassy waitresses and greasy smell. (Although I kinda do love those parts, too.)

What is a patty melt?

A patty melt is a sandwich that’s a mash-up of a grilled cheese and a hamburger. It’s made with a hamburger patty, Swiss cheese and typically rye bread. Sometime caramelized onions are added.

Ground turkey patty melt sandwich sliced and stacked on a white plate with chips on the side

Speaking of, the caramelized onions that go in these sandwiches do take a bit of time.

You don’t really have to babysit them though, they just need to spend some quality time in the pan over medium-low heat to reduce down and get that savory-sweetness to them. I suppose you could skip them, but man, they really add some great flavor!

I tend to make extra while I’m at it so I can add them to burgers and sandwiches for the next week!

Otherwise though, you’re just cooking up some thin burger-type patties, assembling your sandwiches and cooking them up like a (very large and in charge) grilled cheese.

Super easy and your whole family will be ready to devour these melty, cheesy, gooey, crunchy gorgeous sandwiches! They’re a classic for a reason after all!

Ground turkey patty melt sandwich being pulled apart with melty cheese in the middle

Recipe Notes:

  • Rye bread is traditional but I’m not a huge fan. Feel free to use any other sandwich bread you like, just keep in mind that you’ll want the patties to be about the same size.
  • The patties for a patty melt should be pretty thin. These aren’t burgers and you’ll want them to be large enough to cover your bread (maybe even a big bigger because they do shrink when cooking).
  • I use ground turkey for my homemade patty melts to make them a little healthier, but you can use regular ground beef here too.
  • Swiss is the traditional cheese for a patty melt, but you could try it with mozzarella if you prefer that.
  • Butter is the regular way to cook the onions, patties and sandwiches, but you could use half butter and half olive or canola oil if you want to reduce the amount.
  • I listed the serving size as 4, but you could possibly get 5 patties out of this recipe. It depends on how large you make each patty.

Ground turkey patty melt sandwich being held up with melty cheese

We love to pair these turkey patty melt sandwiches with some oven baked fries (like my easy spicy roasted potatoes) or tater tots or even just chips. Add a side salad or steamed vegetable for a complete meal.

And if you’re feeling extra sweet and special, you could make milkshakes to have for dessert after this. It goes with the diner theme if you ask me! Also, you’ll pretty much be mom of the year.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

Ground turkey patty melt sandwich sliced and stacked on a white plate with chips on the side
PRINT PIN SaveSaved!
4.02 from 75 votes

Turkey Patty Melt

This turkey patty melt sandwich is a healthier version of the diner classic and is perfect for an easy lunch or dinner the whole family will love!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the caramelized onions:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the patties:

  • 1.25 pounds 93% lean ground turkey
  • 5 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the sandwiches:

  • 8 slices Swiss cheese
  • 8 slices rye bread or bread of choice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  • To make the caramelized onions: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium low heat.
  • Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes, until very tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • To make the patties: When the onions are about halfway done, get started on the patties.
  • Combine ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix until just combined.
  • Divide the mixture into 4 even parts and make large, thin patties (you want to try and get them about the size of your bread).
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and melt the butter.
  • Add the patties and cook 3-4 minutes, then turn over and cook another 3-4 minutes, until patties are just cooked through. (They’ll continue to cook off the heat and are also going back in the pan as part of the sandwiches.)
  • To make the sandwiches: Place a piece of Swiss cheese on a slice of bread. Top with one of the patties then a scoop of caramelized onions. Add another slice of Swiss cheese and then the top slice of bread. Repeat for the remaining sandwiches.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the sandwiches (work in batches if needed) and cook for 2-3 minutes, until well browned and the cheese is melted. Flip the sandwiches over and cook on the other side until well browned and the cheese is melted.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Rye bread is traditional but feel free to use any other sandwich bread you like, just keep in mind that you’ll want the patties to be about the same size as the bread.
I use ground turkey for my homemade patty melts to make them a little healthier, but you can use regular ground beef here too.
I listed the serving size as 4, but you could possibly get 5 patties out of this recipe. It depends on how large you make each patty.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 820kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 245mg | Sodium: 1008mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
Pin

More Turkey

  • Close up of a meatball with a bite taken out on a fork that's resting in a platter of meatballs.
    Air Fryer Meatballs
  • Close up of a sliced mini turkey meatloaf on a small wooden cutting board with sprigs of thyme nearby.
    Mini Turkey Meatloaves
  • Close up of a bowl full of taco soup with cheese and cilantro on top and additional toppings in bowls to the side.
    Crock Pot Taco Soup
  • Close up of a large serving bowl of cheesy taco pasta with avocado, sour cream, jalapenos and lime wedges on top and a wooden spoon resting in the side for serving.
    Taco Pasta

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel

    January 24, 2022 at 7:55 pm

    This recipe was SO good! I served it with a spicy cole slaw salad.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Doherty

      January 25, 2022 at 7:28 am

      I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it Rachel! Thanks so much for sharing! 😊

      Reply
  2. Lucy

    February 11, 2023 at 6:05 pm

    What kind of bread do you like?

    Reply
    • Kathryn Doherty

      February 13, 2023 at 11:13 am

      Rye bread is traditional but feel free to use any other sandwich bread you like. I use whole wheat bread. Just keep in mind that you’ll want the patties to be about the same size as the bread.

      Reply
      • Luch

        February 13, 2023 at 7:33 pm

        Thanks. I was just curious what you like. I’m a rye person myself.

        Reply
4.02 from 75 votes (75 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Meet Kathryn

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

More about me →

Popular Recipes

  • A cream cheese chicken and mushroom mixture in a large pan with a wooden spoon resting in it.
    Easy Cream Cheese Chicken
  • Close up of honey garlic chicken served in a blue and white bowl with sliced green onions on top.
    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Close up of a whole roasted chicken on a large white serving platter with veggies and fresh parsley to the side.
    Easy Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Close up of a fork resting in a bowl of rice and curried ground turkey with peas.
    Curry Ground Turkey with Rice and Peas
  • Close up of a wooden spoon drizzling pan gravy over seared pork chops.
    Easy Skillet Pork Chops with Gravy
  • Close up of a dark skillet with a saucy honey garlic chicken dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions sprinkled on top.
    15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

Footer

↑back to top

About

  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Newsletter

  • Sign up for emails!

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Family Food on the Table

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.