Copycat In-N-Out Burger

You do not need to live on the West Coast to enjoy the best fast food burger in America. This copycat In-N-Out burger features thin, crispy-edged smashed patties with melty American cheese, fresh toppings, and that legendary special sauce, all on a soft toasted bun. It is simple, no-frills, and absolutely delicious, just like the original.

Why You will Love This Recipe

Thin, crispy smashed patties with perfectly melted cheese

The special sauce is spot-on and takes 2 minutes to make

Simple, fresh ingredients that let the beef shine

Ready in under 20 minutes

Tastes even better than the drive-through version

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 18 minutes

Yield: 4 burgers

Ingredients

For the Patties

1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)

Salt and black pepper

4 slices American cheese

For the Special Sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon sugar

Pinch of salt

For Assembly

4 soft hamburger buns

1 tablespoon butter

4 leaves green leaf lettuce

1 large tomato, sliced

1/2 white onion, thinly sliced into rings

Instructions

Make the special sauce by whisking together the mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, white vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside in the refrigerator while you cook the burgers.

Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and loosely shape into balls. Do not pack them tightly. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.

Heat a large cast iron skillet or flat griddle over high heat until it is screaming hot. Place the beef balls on the surface and immediately smash them flat with a sturdy spatula or burger press until they are about 1/4 inch thick.

Cook without moving for about 2 to 3 minutes until the edges are deeply browned and crispy. Flip the patties and immediately place a slice of American cheese on each one. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bottom is crispy.

While the patties cook, butter the buns and toast them in a separate skillet over medium heat until golden brown.

Spread special sauce on both halves of each bun. Layer the bottom bun with lettuce, tomato, and onion. Place the cheesy patty on top and close the burger. Serve immediately.

Kelvin Tips

The skillet needs to be ripping hot before the beef touches it. If you do not see a hard sear and sizzle the instant the meat hits the pan, it is not hot enough. Wait longer.

Do not touch or press the patties after the initial smash. Let them develop that beautiful crust undisturbed. The Maillard reaction is doing all the work for you.

Use American cheese. I know it gets a bad reputation, but it melts like nothing else and that creamy melt is essential to the In-N-Out experience.

For Animal Style, grill the onions with mustard on the patty while it cooks, and add extra pickles and sauce. It takes this burger to another level.

Nutrition Facts (per burger)

Calories: 490

Protein: 28g

Fat: 30g

Carbohydrates: 28g

Fiber: 1g

Sodium: 720mg