Go Back
+ servings

In and Out Animal Style Burger Recipe

The Animal Style Burger is a popular menu item at the In-N-Out chain of restaurants. If you’ve never tried this in-n-out burger yet, you’re seriously missing out! In this post you’ll learn what exactly is Animal Style and how to make this delicious burger perfectly at home.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Animal Style Burger
Servings: 4
Author: Izzy

Ingredients

Burgers

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 pounds ground beef chuck preferably 80% lean
  • 4 hamburger buns split
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste

Animal Style Sauce

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

Toppings

  • 2 large onions finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup sliced dill pickles
  • 4 pieces iceberg lettuce whole or shredded
  • 4 to 8 thin slices tomato
  • 8 slices American cheese

Instructions

  • Cook the Onions: Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil, the chopped onions and salt. Sauté for 5 to 8 minutes stirring regularly, adding a tablespoonful of cold water when required to prevent sticking. Once the onions are caramelized brown, remove from heat. Set aside.
  • Make the Animal Style Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix the ketchup, mayonnaise, relish and vinegar. Set aside.
  • Prepare the Toppings: Prepare the pickles, lettuce, tomato slices and set aside.
  • Make the Beef Patties: On a work surface, shape the ground beef into 8 patties about a ½ inch thick using your hands. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Prepare the Buns: Brush the buns lightly with oil and place on a skillet for 2 to 3 minutes. Spread a tablespoon worth of the prepared animal style sauce onto each bun followed by the prepared toppings to your liking. Set aside.
  • Cook the Burgers: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot add the beef patties. Slather a teaspoon of mustard onto each patty and cook or 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook 3 minutes more, or until the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Add cheese on top of the burger during the last 1 minute.
  • Assembly: Spread animal style sauce on top of a bun. Then place 1 cooked patties onto a bun. Add with a spoonful of caramelized onions. Then place a second patty on top (this is the double double). Finally, add other toppings followed by the top bun. Repeat for the remaining patties to make 4 double-double burgers in total.

Notes

  • Use high-quality ground chuck beef with 20% fat. This will create the best tender and juicy burger.
  • Shape your patties slightly wider than the bun because they’ll shrink once heated. 
  • Season the beef after it’s shaped into patties, as salt could toughen your burger if you salt the ground beef before forming it into patties.
  • Make a thumbprint indentation in the center of each patty before cooking. This will help patties hold their shape during cooking.
  • Once in the skillet or on the grill, let patties sear well before flipping. Also, make sure not to press down on the burger.

Nutrition

Calories: 970kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 68g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 205mg | Sodium: 1825mg | Potassium: 942mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 806IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 592mg | Iron: 7mg