Copycat In-N-Out Burger
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This Copycat In-N-Out Burger recipe nails that signature flavor with simple ingredients and a few easy steps. You get crispy edges on the beef, melty American cheese, caramelized onions, and a creamy burger sauce layered on a toasted bun. It comes together in about 30 to 40 minutes and works great on a skillet, griddle, or grill. If you’re craving a classic fast-food burger made fresh at home, this is the one to try.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat In-N-Out Burger
- Authentic Flavor at Home: Tastes just like the real In-N-Out burger without needing to leave the house.
- Quick Cooking Time: From start to finish, the burgers are ready in under an hour.
- Crispy, Juicy Patties: Smash-searing the beef locks in flavor and gives you crispy edges.
- Signature Sauce: The homemade Animal Style sauce adds that perfect tangy-sweet bite.
- Grilled Onions for Depth: Slow-cooked onions bring rich, savory flavor that makes every bite better.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Copycat In-N-Out Burger
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Ground beef
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Vegetable oil
- American cheese
- Burger buns
- Wax paper
- Yellow mustard
- Onion
- Butter
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet pickle relish
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Onion powder
- Fine salt
Variations and Substitutions
Cheese Variations
- Classic American: Stick with melty American for that iconic taste.
- Try a twist: Swap with cheddar, pepper jack, or even Swiss if you want a sharper or spicier bite.
Meat Swaps
- Ground turkey or chicken: A leaner alternative that still crisps up nicely when smashed.
- Plant-based patties: Use a beef-style veggie burger like Impossible or Beyond for a vegetarian take.
- Double It Up: Make it a double-double with two patties and extra cheese if you’re feeling bold.
Sauce Substitutions
- Make it spicy: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or a spoon of chipotle mayo to the burger sauce.
- Sweet and tangy: Mix in a little BBQ sauce or honey mustard for a different kick.
Grilled Onion Variations
- Raw onions: Go classic with thinly sliced raw white or red onion.
- Crispy fried onions: Add crunch by topping with store-bought or homemade fried onions.
Add More Toppings
- Lettuce and tomato
- Pickles
- Jalapeños
- Avocado slices
- Crispy bacon
- Fried egg
How To Make This Copycat In-N-Out Burger
- Mix the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Slowly cook the chopped onions in butter until soft and golden.
- Heat a skillet or griddle until very hot.
- Divide the beef into equal portions and season with salt and pepper.
- Add oil to the hot surface, smash each beef portion flat, then remove the paper and season.
- Spread mustard on the raw side, flip the patty, and top with cheese.
- Toast the buns if you like, then build the burger with sauce, patty, grilled onions, and the top bun.
- Serve right away while everything is hot and melty.
Commonly Asked Questions
What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?
An 80/20 blend of ground beef works best for this recipe. It gives you enough fat for juicy patties without making them greasy.
How Do I Get Crispy Edges Like In-N-Out?
Use a hot skillet or griddle and smash the patties flat with a spatula. Don’t move them around while they sear—that’s how you get those caramelized edges.
Can I Make the Sauce Ahead of Time?
Yes, the sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week. The flavor actually gets better as it sits.
How Long Should I Cook the Onions?
Caramelizing the onions low and slow for 20 to 30 minutes brings out their natural sweetness and gives that deep flavor that’s key to Animal Style burgers.
Do I Need a Grill or Can I Use a Pan?
A cast iron skillet or flat-top griddle works great for this recipe. You don’t need a grill as long as your pan gets hot enough to sear the patties.
What’s the Best Way to Store and Reheat Leftovers?
Store the cooked components separately in the fridge. Reheat patties in a skillet to keep them crispy, and warm the buns and onions just before serving.
Should I Toast the Buns?
Toasting the buns adds flavor and helps them hold up to the sauce and toppings. A quick toast in a dry skillet or under the broiler works well.
Copycat In-N-Out Burger
Video
Ingredients
For the Burger Patties:
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 works best
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 burger buns
- 4 pieces of wax paper 5-inch squares
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- Grilled onions see below
For the Grilled Onions:
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons butter
For the Animal Style Burger Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp fine salt
Instructions
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, relish, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, onion powder, and salt until smooth. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
Caramelize the Onions
- In a skillet over low heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized—about 20–30 minutes.
Preheat the Grill or Griddle
- Preheat your grill to 400°F. Place a cast iron skillet or flat-top griddle on the grill grates and let it get hot.
Form the Patties & Season
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal balls. Mix the salt and pepper together in a small bowl.
Smash & Sear
- Add oil to the hot skillet. Place one beef ball on the skillet, top it with a square of wax paper, and smash it down flat using a spatula or burger press. Remove the wax paper and sprinkle with the salt and pepper mixture.
Add Mustard & Flip
- Before flipping, spread about ½ tablespoon of yellow mustard onto the raw, uncooked side of the patty. Then flip and cook for about 2 more minutes. Top with a slice of American cheese and let it melt while the burger finishes cooking.
- Repeat with the remaining patties, working in batches if needed.
Assemble the Burgers
- Lightly toast the buns if you’d like. Spread the Animal Style burger sauce on the bottom bun, add the mustard-seared cheeseburger, spoon on a generous helping of grilled onions, and finish with the top bun.
Nutrition
This Copycat In-N-Out Burger hits all the right notes—crispy beef, melty cheese, sweet onions, and that sauce that pulls everything together. It’s not fussy, just solid comfort food that’s easy to make at home. I keep coming back to it when I want something fast, familiar, and ridiculously satisfying. Definitely worth firing up the skillet for.
