Description
Juicy, mustard-grilled beef patties layered with caramelized onions, American cheese, pickles, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and a creamy, tangy spread. This homemade take on IN-N-OUT’s Animal Style burger is the flavor bomb you never knew you needed!
Ingredients
80/20 ground beef
Soft hamburger buns (brioche or potato rolls)
Yellow mustard
American cheese slices
Dill pickle slices
2 large yellow onions
Iceberg lettuce
Thick-cut tomatoes
For the spread:
1/2 cup mayo
3 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp sweet relish
1 tsp white vinegar
Pinch of sugar
Instructions
1. Slice onions and cook on medium-low with oil and a pinch of salt until caramelized (20–25 min).
2. Mix spread ingredients in a bowl; chill.
3. Roll beef into 3.5 oz balls. Heat cast-iron skillet until very hot.
4. Smash patties in skillet and add a spiral of mustard on the raw side.
5. Flip when crispy on bottom. Add cheese and let melt.
6. Toast buns in butter until golden.
7. Layer lettuce, tomato, pickles, grilled onions, burger patty, and a spoonful of spread on each bun.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
Try cheddar or Colby Jack if you’re out of American cheese.
Sub bread-and-butter pickles if needed.
Add kimchi and spicy aioli for a Korean-inspired twist.
Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter sauce.
Toast buns with garlic butter for extra flavor.
Don’t skip the mustard crust—it’s essential!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: animal style, IN-N-OUT, burger, homemade, copycat