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.

4.46 from 141 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? ›

Cheeseburger 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, bun. French Fries Prepared fresh in 100% sunflower oil using only fresh potatoes.

What is in and out burger sauce made of? ›

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.

What kind of cheese does In-N-Out Burger use on their burgers? ›

Our American cheese is the real thing. And we use the best available onions and the plumpest, juiciest tomatoes we can find. Our buns are baked using old-fashioned, slow-rising sponge dough. And we make every burger one at a time, cooked fresh to order.

What makes In-N-Out Burger so special? ›

According to In-N-Out's website, said chuck is, "individually inspected...from premium cattle selected especially for In-N-Out Burger." The 100% USDA ground chuck is free of additives, fillers, and preservatives. And no, the patties are never, ever frozen.

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!

How unhealthy is an In-N-Out cheeseburger? ›

According to the In-N-Out website, a standard cheeseburger with onion equals about 480 calories, with 27g fat, 1,000mg sodium, and 10g sugar. Choose to get the burger protein style by subbing lettuce for the bun and that'll drop those figures a bit to 330 calories, with 25g fat, 720mg sodium, and 7g sugar.

Does In-N-Out Burger use real meat? ›

Meat. For most of its history, In-N-Out has produced its own meat in company-owned facilities. The chain has a policy of using only fresh meat, and all of its stores are supplied by its California manufacturing operations located in Baldwin Park.

What kind of peppers does in and out use? ›

The yellow chile peppers carried by IN-IN-OUT burger are in fact cascabella peppers. Cascabella peppers are cone shaped and produce a chile pepper that is approximately 1 ¾” long by ¾” wide. Cascabellas turn from yellow, to orange, to red when mature. The plant has green stems, green leaves and white flowers.

What is Thousand Island made of? ›

Thousand Island Ingredients: It's mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, red onion vinegar, sugar, garlic, and salt and pepper. All ingredients are combined by hand to make a perfect, thick, and creamy dressing, dip, or sauce.

Why do in and out burgers taste different? ›

Here are some reasons that could contribute to this perception: Freshness: In-N-Out is known for its emphasis on using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Burgers are made to order, and the company has a commitment to using fresh, never frozen, beef patties.

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.

Does in and out use yellow or white onions? ›

Although white onions are what In-N-Out uses, I think red or yellow onions would be just as delicious. Once my meat was cooked to a perfect medium-rare and the onions were golden brown, all that was left to do was neatly stack the ingredients and top with American cheese.

Why are in and out burgers so cheap? ›

In-N-Out also keeps prices down by owning every location, maintaining a limited menu, and buying their ingredients wholesale. All this while paying their employees better than competitors, landing themselves on Glassdoor's list of best places to work ahead of companies like Microsoft and Lululemon.

What is a burger at In-N-Out called 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.)

What is more popular In-N-Out or Chick Fil A? ›

However, chicken restaurant Chick-fil-A took the leading spot for America's favorite fast casual restaurant overall, with a Customer Loyalty Index rating of 4.77 compared with In-N-Out's 4.75 (a measure of both customer satisfaction and likeliness of customers to recommend the brand).

What is the in and out burger with just meat and cheese? ›

At In-N-Out, you can order "The Flying Dutchman" and get a burger that's just two patties and cheese. No bun, no spread, no lettuce, no onions. Just meat and cheese.

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