Kimchi Patty Melt

Kimchi Patty Melt

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 - 35 minutes

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

Caramelized kimchi

• 1 ½ cup chopped kimchi, drained 

• 1 tbsp butter

Scallion beef smash patties

• 4 scallions

• 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)

• Neutral oil 

• Kosher salt

• Black pepper

Kimchi mayo

• 4 tbsp kimchi juice

• ½ cup mayo 

To assemble:

• 8 slices One Mighty Mill Whole Wheat Bread

• 12 slices Swiss cheese (~2-3 per sandwich)

• 2-3 tbsp butter 

Directions

1. Caramelize the kimchi: Heat a pan over medium with 1 tbsp of butter. Add the drained, chopped kimchi and sauté for 7–10 minutes, stirring frequently. You want the moisture to evaporate and the kimchi to shrink and darken. Set aside.

2. Prep the scallions: Cut the scallions into segments roughly the width of your bread. Thinly slice each segment lengthwise into fine "threads" or strips.

3. Make the kimchi mayo: In a small bowl, whisk the mayo and 4 tbsp of kimchi juice until smooth. Set aside.

4. Scallion smash patties: Divide the beef into four 4-oz balls. Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy stainless steel pan over high heat with a splash of neutral oil.

5. Place a small nest of scallion strips (6–8 strips) in the pan. Immediately place a beef ball on top of the scallions. Place a piece of parchment paper over the beef and use a meat press or a second heavy pan to smash the patty until it is very thin with "lacey," jagged edges. Remove the press/parchment. Season the meat generously with salt and pepper.

6. Once a deep brown crust has formed (about 2–3 minutes), flip the patty. Cook for 1 -2 more minutes, then remove to a plate. Repeat for all four patties.

7. Assemble: Build your sandwiches in this order to "glue" everything together:

1. Bread → Patty (scallion side up) → 3 slices of Swiss cheese → 1/4 of the caramelized kimchi → Top bread.

8. Spread a thin layer of the kimchi mayo on the outside of the top and bottom slices of bread.

9. Heat a clean skillet over medium-low. Add a small knob of butter. Toast the sandwiches one or two at a time for 5–7 minutes per side.

10. Place finished sandwiches on a wire rack in a 200°F oven while you finish the rest to keep them crisp.