Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Wendie · 33 Comments

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This In-N-Out burger copycat version is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner! Juicy beef patty smothered in ooey gooey cheese, secret sauce, tomato, lettuce, and onion on a toasted bun.

Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (1)

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These copycat In-N-Out cheeseburgers are simply amazing! We don't eat fast food much at all but if we do In-N-Out is our go-to place. Let's not forget about that sweet and tangy sauce, each bite sends your taste buds into overdrive. No need for ketchup for the fries when you have this amazing sauce to dunk them in. If you prefer a grilled burger try my Pepper Jack Burger.

Why this recipe works

I'm not sure why such a simple burger can taste so amazing, and this secret sauce is spot on. These are so close to the real thing you have to give it a try. The burgers are extremely simple to make like my Skillet Burger and easy Smash Burgers. Just some salt and pepper and a spread of mustard then cooked on a hot skillet to form an amazing crust.

Ingredients needed for this In-n-Out Burger

Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (2)

Ingredient Notes

  • Hamburger: Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor
  • Cheese: Real American cheese from the deli
  • Hamburger Buns: Buttered and toasted
  • Onion: Sweet onion
  • Mustard: Simple yellow mustard
  • Mayonnaise: Use really mayo.

how to make this copycat In N Out burger

Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (3)
  • Step 1: Divide and form the meat into 8 equal parts and flatten them into thin patties, and add salt and pepper on top.
  • Step 2: Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add the buns to toast, set aside.
Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (4)
  • Step 3: Place the patty into the skillet.
  • Step 4: Spread mustard on the top and a little more salt and pepper.
Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (5)
  • Step 5: Flip the patty and place a slice of cheese on top.
  • Step 6: Cover the skillet so the cheese melts.
Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (6)
  • Step 7: Add some special sauce to the bottom bun.
  • Step 8: Add the slice of tomato and onion slice.
  • Step 9: Place some iceberg lettuce on top.
  • Step 10: Add the burger patty with melted cheese, followed by the top bun.
Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (7)

Recipe tips

  • I recommend using a cast iron skillet or aluminum skillet for the best sear on the burgers you can also use a flat griddle.
  • The recipe makes 8 single burgers or 4 doubles but it can easily be cut in half.
Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (8)

Recipe faq's

What is In n Out?

If you haven't heard in-n-out restaurant is a delicious fast-food chain primarily on the west coast. They use fresh simple ingredients prepped daily, and make each burger one at a time.

What is animal style burger?

It's one of the options on their secret menu, like double double animal style. Onions are cooked down in a skillet and then caramelized onions are added to a burger to make it animal-style.

Can you make these ahead of time?

This in-n-out cheeseburger is best made fresh but I will prep the beef patties and place them on parchment paper in an airtight container and make the rest the next day. The in-n-out sauce can be made ahead and stored in a container in the refrigerator.

Can you taste the mustard?

Adding the mustard on one side is an In-n- out trick to get that unique crust. Don't worry the mustard cooks and you don't taste it.

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Copycat In-N-Out Burger

Wendie

This In-N-Out burger copycat version is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner! Juicy beef patty smothered in ooey gooey cheese, secret sauce, tomato, lettuce, and onion on a toasted bun.

4.45 from 140 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Entrees

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 502 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons mustard
  • 8 slices American cheese
  • 1 large beefsteak tomato
  • Iceberg lettuce leaves
  • 1 large onion cut into slices
  • 8 hamburger buns

For the special sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

Instructions

  • Form meat into eight patties on a piece of parchment paper then cut a square around each patty, this helps place the patty into the hot skillet. You want the patties thin and slightly larger than the size of your bun. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

  • Meanwhile mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish in a small bowl

  • Preheat a cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat add 1/2 teaspoon oil and place your buns split side down in the heated pan, cook until toasted about 1 minute. Set aside and cover to keep warm.

  • Pick up a patty and place the salt and pepper side down into the hot skillet, then pull off the parchment paper. Cook without moving until well browned and crusty on the first side, about 2½ minutes. While they are cooking, spread 2 teaspoons of mustard on the raw side. Then flip and top each side with 2 slices of cheese continue cooking for 1 more minute.

  • Spread sauce on the bottom toasted bun, place tomato, onion, and lettuce then patty with melted cheese add the top bun and serve.

Video

Notes

I recommend using a cast iron skillet or aluminum skillet for the best sear on the burgers.

The recipe makes 8 single burgers or 4 doubles but it can easily be cut in half.

Parchment paper is optional but it does make it easier to place the patty into the hot skillet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 502kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 30gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 1100mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8g

Keyword Burger, copycat, In-n-Out

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (14)Wendie

    So happy you loved it Letty!

  2. Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (15)Letty

    Hello, I saw this recipe on my FB feed and I had to try it. Since I didn't have a cast iron I cooked the burgers on my electric griddle and it formed the outer crust, and I prefer the griddle because as the burgers cook all the grease drains out. I am not a big burger eater but this came out delicious and my whole family loved them. I grilled the onions on the side, since we really don't like raw onions too much...thanks for sharing 🙂

  3. Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (16)Wendie

    Just don't add the cheese!

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Copycat In-N-Out Burger Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in the In-N-Out Burger? ›

Hamburger 100% beef patty, lettuce, tomato, spread, with or without onions, bun. Cheeseburger 100% beef patty, lettuce, tomato, spread, 1 slice of American cheese, with or without onions, bun.

What is the In-N-Out secret sauce called? ›

Spread 'em: Mastering the Special Sauce

I never understood why In-N-Out refers to their sauce as "Spread." Maybe they're just a little too cool for school. In any case, all it is is a basic Thousand Island-style dressing: a mixture of ketchup, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish.

Why does In-N-Out Burger taste so good? ›

Our commitment to quality starts with our hamburgers. And our burgers begin with our patties. Each patty is made using only fresh, individually inspected, whole chucks from premium cattle selected especially for In-N-Out Burger. Our team of Associates removes the bones, grinds the meat and then makes each patty.

What burger buns does In-N-Out use? ›

Puritan Bakery, the supplier who makes the restaurant's buns, is a small bakery outlet that's resided in Southern Los Angeles since the late 1930s. The wholesaler began supplying the fast food restaurant with its rolls dating back to the 1950s, and from there, the chain never stopped using them.

What kind of oil does In-N-Out use? ›

In-N-Out uses the Kennebec variety of potato for its fries and prepares them on-site as opposed to purchasing them pre-made from other companies. According to In-N-Out the company's french fries are cooked in "100% pure, cholesterol-free sunflower oil".

What is the most unhealthy burger at In-N-Out? ›

Worst: Double-Double with Spread

This burger is a mainstay on the regular In-N-Out menu and it's one to avoid. It packs in excessive saturated fat and sodium. The saturated fat is the same as you'd get from eating 3 tablespoons of butter and the sodium would be equal to what you'd get from two servings of canned soup!

What type of cheese does In-N-Out use? ›

Notes For In-N-Out Copycat Animal Style Fries

Chili flakes – The In-N-Out sauce doesn't use chili flakes but I added it in for some heat. It's optional and up to your preference. American cheese slices – In-N-Out uses American cheese slices. I sometimes like to use shredded cheddar.

What is this pink sauce stuff? ›

Pink Sauce is a pink dipping sauce created by TikTok user Veronica Shaw, better known by her screen name, Chef Pii. Food safety and labeling concerns caused the Food and Drug Administration to stop the production and online sale of Pink Sauce.

Is In-N-Out sauce the same as Thousand Island dressing? ›

Because of similarities in color and taste, many people assume that In-N-Out's burger sauce is simply Thousand Island dressing, i.e. a blend of mayonnaise and ketchup. However, Thousand Island has a thicker consistency and is slightly spicier than In-N-Out sauce.

Why do some people not like In-N-Out? ›

And I have no idea why. I'll surely get filleted for saying this, but here goes: In-N-Out sucks. It's a chain with basic burgers, unsatisfying French fries, few menu items, and, honestly, some pretty gross sauce that makes the popular restaurant's name gastronomically appropriate.

Which is healthier In-N-Out or McDonald's? ›

Considering all health factors, In-N-Out Burger scored an 8.2 on the 10-point scale. The closer these scores are to 10, the better. McDonald's, Wendy's Five Guys, and Carl's Jr. didn't perform well.

Does Gordon Ramsay like In and Out burger? ›

Gordon Ramsay is a huge fan of In-N-Out. "Especially when it's freshly cooked and served animal style," he told Thrillist in 2022. While in Austin, Texas, I tried the celebrity chef's favorite order, and I was impressed.

What are the ingredients in the In and Out burger? ›

Bun, 100% beef patty, lettuce, tomato, spread, 1 slice of American cheese, with or without onions. Bun, 2 100% beef patties, lettuce, tomato, spread, 2 slices of American cheese, with or without onions. Potatoes prepared fresh in 100% sunflower oil.

What kind of potato does in and out use? ›

Several of them mentioned the fact that In-N-Out uses something called the Kennebec potato, which is not available in grocery stores, and is actually a different type of potato than the starchy Russets used by most other restaurant chains, so may not be something most of us are used to eating.

What is the secret menu at In and Out with no bun? ›

Order your burger Protein Style and you'll get your burger sans bun, wrapped in lettuce instead. By far the most beloved In-N-Out menu hack is Animal Style. Order your Double Double (or your Grilled Cheese, Protein Style, etc.)

Does In-N-Out Burger use real meat? ›

Hamburger patties are produced in two facilities, one in Baldwin Park, California, and one in Dallas, Texas, using “whole chucks from premium cattle selected especially for In-N-Out Burger.” The emphasis on quality doesn't stop at the beef.

What makes an In-N-Out Burger animal style? ›

Grilled onions cooked down in the collected meat juices on the hot griddle can be added to any sandwich, and come standard if you ask for your burger or fries Animal Style. An Animal Style burger also includes extra Thousand Island spread, mustard grilled patties, and extra pickles.

What is gorilla style at In-N-Out Burger? ›

What is Gorilla Style at In-N-Out? Also frequently called "Monkey Style" at In-N-Out, Gorilla Style refers to any burger with animal fries shoved in the middle. However, if you're planning on ordering this during your next In-N-Out Burger visit, be sure to tell the In-N-Out employee exactly what it is.

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