Copycat In-N-Out Animal Style Burger Recipe

Craving that legendary In-N-Out Animal Style burger but don’t live near the West Coast? This easy copycat recipe brings the iconic secret menu item straight to your kitchen. With its mustard-grilled patty, golden caramelized onions, and signature special spread, you’ll create a burger that rivals the original. The best part? You control the quality of ingredients and save money while satisfying those intense burger cravings.

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What makes the In-N-Out Animal Style burger so good?

In-N-Out Animal Style hamburgers may be the worst-kept secret menu item ever. But when something is this delicious, people will talk.

Still, the question remains: What is an animal-style burger? It all starts by brushing the hamburger patty with mustard before it hits the pan. Add thick-cut cheddar, caramelized onions, crispy lettuce, juicy tomato slices, tangy pickles, and a signature spread, and you wind up with an unforgettable cheeseburger.

Why This Recipe Works

This copycat version succeeds because it focuses on technique over complexity. The mustard-grilling method creates the same caramelized flavor profile as the original, while the homemade spread perfectly mimics that distinctive tangy-sweet taste. Using 80/20 ground chuck ensures juicy patties that won’t dry out, and the slow-caramelized onions add that essential sweetness that makes animal-style burgers unforgettable.

In and Out Burger Animal Style ingredients 

For the Special Spread:

• Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base that binds all flavors together
• Ketchup – Adds sweetness and tomato depth to balance the tanginess
• Sweet pickle relish – Provides essential tangy crunch and briny flavor
• Ground black pepper – Adds subtle heat and complexity
• Salt – Enhances all other flavors in the spread
• Apple cider vinegar – Creates the signature tang that makes this spread special

For the Caramelized Onions:

• Olive oil – Prevents sticking and helps achieve even browning
• Brown sugar – Accelerates caramelization and adds deeper sweetness
• Yellow onion, chopped – Sweet variety that caramelizes beautifully

For the Burger Patties:

• Ground beef (80/20 chuck) – Perfect fat ratio for juicy, flavorful patties
• Ground black pepper – Seasons the meat with aromatic spice
• Salt – Essential for bringing out the beef’s natural flavors
• Yellow mustard – Applied to raw patties for that signature caramelized crust

For Assembly:

• Cheddar cheese, sliced – Melts perfectly and adds sharp, creamy richness
• Hamburger buns – Sturdy enough to hold all the delicious components
• Dill pickle chips – Provides essential tangy crunch and acidity
• Green leaf lettuce – Adds fresh crispness and color contrast
• Tomatoes, sliced – Brings juicy freshness and balances the rich flavors

Thick-sliced yellow American cheese is what they serve at the restaurant, but feel free to substitute your favorite cheese. 

How to make an Animal Style Burger

To prepare the spread:

1. Whisk together the mayo, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, ground black pepper, salt, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. 
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge.

To caramelize the onions:

1. Put a pan over medium-low heat.
2. Dice the yellow onions and add olive oil and brown sugar to the hot pan. Stir well. The brown sugar speeds up the caramelization process, and you can leave it out. 
3. Cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes (longer without the brown sugar) or until the onions caramelize. Stir from time to time. You have plenty of time to finish cooking the burgers while the onions are on the stove. 

To cook the burgers:

1. In a medium bowl, use your hands to lightly mix the ground chuck with ground black pepper and salt. Try not to compress the meat too much, or you’ll end up with overly dense burgers. 
2. Form four patties just slightly wider than the buns you are using. Set them aside to rest.
3. Heat a non-stick large skillet, grill pan, or flat top to medium.
4. Place the beef patties on top of the cooking surface and cover. Depending on how you like your burgers, cook for three to four minutes. 
5. Brush yellow mustard on top of the patties and flip. Cook the opposite side for another three to four minutes. 
6. Transfer the cooked burgers to a plate and cover each patty with a slice of cheese. 

To finish Animal Style Cheeseburgers:

1. Pour out the excess fat from the skillet, return to the heat, and lightly toast the cut side of the buns to golden brown.
2. Start assembling the burgers by spooning the special spread onto the bottom bun and adding the pickle chips. 
3. Next comes a leaf of lettuce and a slice of tomato. Place the patty on the tomato and top with the caramelized onion.
4. Put more spread on the top bun, and then place the top bun on the burger.
5. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. 

What to serve with Animal Style Cheeseburgers

• French fries. Crisp, golden French fries are the classic side dish to have with a cheeseburger Animal Style. You can also go all out with animal-style fries.
• Shakes. Thick and creamy milkshakes go great with a burger. Keep things simple with chocolate or vanilla, or try something more exotic. Try dipping fries in the shake. It’s so much better than it sounds!
• Onion rings. From light and airy to thick and hearty, onion rings combine salty and sweet flavors and add a lot of crunch to your meal. 

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Freezing: Cooked patties can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Do not freeze assembled burgers.
• Refrigerator Storage: Store components separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep buns at room temperature to prevent sogginess.
• Reheating Method: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the cheese from the patty and wrap the burger loosely in aluminum foil with a sprinkle of water. Heat for 7-10 minutes until warmed through. Replace the cheese after reheating.

Favorite fast food burger recipes

• Big Mac
• Burger King Cheeseburger
• Culver’s Butter Burger
• Krystal Burger
• McDonald’s Burger
• Quarter Pounder
• Steak and Shake Garlic Burger
• Wendy’s Baconator
• White Castle Burger

Popular fast-food sandwiches

• Burger King Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich
• Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Starbucks Grilled Cheese
• Whataburger Patty Melt

Check out my easy burger recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes on CopyKat!