This Copycat In and Out Burger Animal Style Recipe is easy to make at home. Enjoy caramelized onions, sweet pickles and a special sauce. It all comes together for a delicious meal.
Copycat In and Out Burger Animal Style
If you love ordering this popular menu item, this recipe is a must try. We are going to show you how simple it is to make an animal style burger at home. This copycat recipe is so delicious and a favorite fast food menu item.
What is animal style?
Animal style refers to the toppings on the burger. This type of burger is fried in mustard and topped with lots of cheese, grilled onions and extra spread. It is super messy but oh so delicious.
This can also be ordered double double animal style which simply means that it has a double patty with extra toppings.
For those history buffs that might find this interesting, the first Animal Style Burger was created in 1961.
As you can imagine, this is one serious burger! The sauce is really delicious. Some say it taste similar to thousand island dressing but it isn’t the same.
Why does In-N-Out call it animal style?
This style is called the “animal” method of preparation because the beef patty is mustard fried, topped with grilled onions and a generous portion of special sauce. It also has 2 slices of cheese for lots of ooey gooey flavor.
This secret menu item isn’t so secret and is frequently requested. Many people like to order animal style fries to go along with this burger.
Throw in a root beer and you are set for a great meal.
Ingredients:
FOR THE BURGER:
- Ground Beef 80/20
- Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper
- Mustard
- Butter
- White Onion, chopped
- American Cheese
- Large Tomato, sliced
- Iceberg Lettuce Leaves
- Hamburger Buns
THE SAUCE:
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Sweet Pickle Relish
- White Vinegar
How to make In and out burger animal style:
- Step 1 – Make the sauce. Mix the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Step 2 – Cook the onions. Melt the butter in a large skillet (or cast iron pan) over medium high heat. Then top the melted butter with the chopped onions.
Sauté the onions in the butter until they are caramelized (3-5 minutes). Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 3 – Make the patties. Form the ground beef into 4 balls approximately ¼ pound each.
- Step 4 – Place oil in the pan. Drizzle the olive oil on a skillet, cast iron pan or griddle over medium high heat.
- Step 5 – Toast the hamburger buns. Place the buns on the preheated pan for 2 minutes to toast them and then set them aside while you prepare the beef.
- Step 6 – Cook the burgers. Then place the beef balls on the pan. Then top each one with a piece on parchment paper and firmly press down to smash the beef into a thin patty with either a burger press or a large spatula and then discard the parchment paper. Season the patties with salt and pepper.
- Step 7 – Cook the patties for 2 minutes. Cook until the juices in the beef start to raise to the top and the color starts to change. While the patties are cooking, top each of the patties with 1 tablespoon of mustard on the raw side.
Then scrape under the patty to get under the caramelized parts and flip the patty. Once flipped, do not smash down the patties again.
- Step 8 – Add the cheese. Cook for 1 more minute and place 2 pieces of cheese on each of the patties. Cook for 1 more minute to allow the cheese to melt.
- Step 9 – Then it’s time to assemble your burgers. Spread the sauce on the top and bottom of the bun. Then top the bottom bun with the lettuce, tomatoes, patty and sauté onions.
Then the top bun. Then the burgers are ready to enjoy!
How to store leftovers:
These burgers are best served fresh, but you can store the leftover patties in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
I would recommend storing the patties separately from topping and buns.
What to serve with in and out burgers:
- Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Fries
- Homemade French fries
- Deed Fried Onion Rings
- Freddy’s Patty Melt Recipe
Enjoy this easy copycat recipe.
It is so easy to prepare and absolutely delicious.
Print this In and out burger animal style recipe:
Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Burger
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef 80/20
- 2 tsp Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 4 tablespoons Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1 White Onion chopped
- 8 slices American Cheese
- 1 Large Tomato sliced
- 8 Iceberg Lettuce Leaves
- 4 Hamburger Buns
FOR THE SAUCE:
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Ketchup
- 2 Tablespoon Sweet Pickle Relish
- 2 Tablespoon White Vinegar
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
For the Sauce:
- Stir the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
For the Burgers:
- Melt the butter in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and sauté for 3–5 minutes, until caramelized. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a ball.
- Drizzle the olive oil onto a skillet, cast-iron pan, or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Place the buns cut-side down on the hot cooking surface. Toast for about 2 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Place the beef balls on the hot cooking surface. Cover each ball with a piece of parchment paper and firmly press with a burger press or large spatula to form a thin patty. Remove and discard the parchment paper.
- Season the patties with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes, until the juices begin to rise to the surface and the color starts to change.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of mustard over the uncooked side of each patty.
- Scrape underneath each patty to release the caramelized crust, then flip. Do not press the patties again.
- Cook for 1 minute, then top each patty with 2 slices of cheese. Cook for 1 more minute, or until the cheese melts.
- Spread the prepared sauce on both halves of each toasted bun.
- Layer 2 lettuce leaves, sliced tomato, a cheeseburger patty, and caramelized onions on each bottom bun. Add the top buns and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
More easy burger recipes:
