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double double animal style burger in red basket.
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Double Double Animal Style In-N-Out Copy Cat Burger

These are hands down the best cheeseburgers I've ever had! They're juicy, melty, and full of flavor. Have a napkin handy, because you're sure to make a mess of yourself with these amazing burgers! Don't be frightened if this looks like a lot of steps - these burgers cook in no time are super easy to whip up!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 798kcal

Ingredients

For the onions:

  • 2 onions diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the burgers:

  • 1 pound ground beef 75/25 if possible
  • 8 slices American cheese from the deli (not the plastic wrapped kind)
  • 4 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 hamburger buns store brand
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • Pickles, lettuce, tomatoes for topping

For the secret sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dill pickle relish

Instructions

To make the onions:

  • Heat a medium skillet over medium heat.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet and add the diced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes.
  • When the onions are soft and beginning to brown, add 1/4 cup of water and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the water has evaporated. Repeat with the remaining 1/4 cup of water.
  • After about 30 minutes of cooking the onions should be golden brown, soft, melty, and pure perfection.
  • Sprinkle with salt. Set aside.

To make the sauce:

  • While the onions are cooking prepare the secret sauce. Stir together the ketchup, mayo, vinegar, and relish. Set aside.

To make the burgers:

  • Heat a griddle or large cast iron skillet to medium.
  • Melt the remaining butter on the hot griddle and place the buns, cut side down, on the griddle. Cook until golden brown.
  • Spread around 1 tablespoon of the sauce on the bottom of each bun. Set aside.
  • Turn the heat to high. While the griddle is heating, form the meat into 8 small balls of meat, loosely compacted.
  • Place the balls of meat a few inches apart on the griddle and sprinkle the tops with salt. Let cook one minute.
  • Flip the balls over and immediately take a small plate (or flat spatula that doesn't have holes for the meat to squish through) and press the meat flat, forming a thin patty the same diameter as your bun.
  • Squirt about 1/2 teaspoon of mustard on each patty. Cook for 1-2 minutes and flip again.
  • Immediately place the cheese on each patty and top half of the patties with a heaping spoonful of the onions.
  • Cook 1 minute or until patties are cooked through and cheese is beginning to melt.
  • Use a spatula to pick up one of the patties without the onions and place it on top of a patty with the onions.
  • Let cook for 30 more seconds to meld everything together.
  • Remove from griddle to the grilled buns. Top with lettuce, tomato, and pickles, if desired.

Notes

Double Double means double the meat and double the cheese, so 2 patties and 2 slices of cheese per bun.
Animal Style means the burgers are griddled with mustard and topped with caramelized onions, pickles, and extra sauce. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 798kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 60g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 2210mg | Potassium: 534mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 974IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 547mg | Iron: 4mg