In-n-Out Animal Style Burger Recipe (With Carnitas!)

You know that feeling when you bite into a burger so juicy, so saucy, so loaded with flavor that you just have to close your eyes for a second and savor every bite? That’s the kind of burger we’re making today. Not just any burger, but the ultimate animal style burger recipe—my take on the In-N-Out Animal Style Burgers, with a little ¡Hola! Jalapeño twist.

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What’s your In-N-Out order? Mine? Those sizzling, golden brown mustard-glazed smash burgers, dripping with special In-N-Out sauce and loaded with caramelized onions, all the toppings and a slice of melty cheese. In other words, I take my burger animal style.

If you thought that dream of a burger couldn’t get better, this is the copycat recipe you’ve been waiting for, and trust me, it’s going to blow the real thing out of the water.

We’re talking melty cheeses, tangy burger sauce, mustard-glazed beef patties, and—wait for it—a layer of warm, shredded carnitas, melty Oaxaca cheese, and grilled spring onions (because why not take it to the next level?).

These are destined to be the burgers of the summer. Make them at your next cookout and serve with any of your favorite sides, drinks, and desserts like Elote Loco or other grilled veggies, calabacitas, mezcal rhubarb sours, and churros con chocolate ice cream. Have fun with it!

By the way, burgers are one of my favorite summer foods and I have two recipes that steal my heart each time: Tapatio turkey burgers and green chile cheeseburgers, if you want to give those a try as well.

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Why You’ll Love These Burgers

• Perfect copycat In-N-Out animal style burger at home, but better
• Loaded with caramelized grilled Mexican onions for a sweet, smoky kick
• Mustard-glazed smash burger patties for that signature flavor
• Layer of juicy carnitas for a Mexican-inspired twist
• Melty Oaxaca cheese—so much better than basic American slices
• Toasted buns with golden brown edges, just like the pros
• Creamy, tangy In-N-Out style “secret sauce”, although another good sauce I like is cilantro chimichurri, for something different
• Just like my favorite Mexican tortas, every bite is juicy, messy, and totally irresistible

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Watch The Video

Ingredients You’ll Need and Why

1. Ground Beef (80/20 blend): The fat ratio is key for juicy, flavorful burger patties. If you have a meat grinder, fresh ground is best! Same rules applies when making any of these Mexican ground beef recipes.
2. Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the beef patties.
3. Yellow Mustard: The secret to those iconic mustard-grilled patties—brush it on before flipping.
4. Oaxaca Cheese: Melts beautifully, giving you that dreamy, gooey cheese pull.
5. Authentic Carnitas: Adds rich, savory flavor and takes this burger straight to new heights. Use my traditional carnitas recipe or store-bought.
6. Hamburger Buns: Soft, sturdy buns that toast up golden brown—make your own or grab bakery-fresh!
7. Butter: For perfectly toasted buns with a little extra richness.
8. Grilled Mexican-Style Spring Onions: Sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor—dice them up and pile them on.
9. Dill Pickle Chips: A tangy crunch that cuts through all the richness. Vegetable escabeche would also be great here.
10. Romaine or Iceberg Lettuce & Ripe Tomato: For freshness and classic burger crunch.
11. In-N-Out Style Spread: A mix of mayo, ketchup, pickle relish, vinegar, and a touch of sugar—your “special sauce.”
12. Olive Oil: For grilling onions and burgers and adding a little depth.

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How To Make the Ultimate Animal Style Burger Recipe

Start with the onions. Instead of the traditional grilled sweet white onions on an In-N-Out burger we’re grilling up beautiful spring onions that are essential at every carne asada.

Toss whole Mexican spring onions (or large green onions) with olive oil and kosher salt. Grill them over an open flame or on a screaming hot griddle until they’re charred and tender, turning occasionally—about 10 minutes. Once they’re cool enough to handle, dice them up.

Next, whip up your In-N-Out style spread. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickle relish, white vinegar, and sugar. Stir until smooth and creamy, then set aside. This is your secret sauce—don’t skimp!

Now, let’s talk burger patties. Use ground beef with a good fat ratio (80/20 is ideal). Form into 1/4-inch thick patties slightly larger than your buns—remember, they’ll shrink a bit as they cook. Season both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. When it’s good and hot, add the patties. After 1–2 minutes, spread a generous layer of yellow mustard on the uncooked side of each patty (grilling gloves are a nice thing to have to prevent burnt hands). Flip so the mustard side is down and cook until the edges are crispy and golden brown—about 2–3 minutes more. Top each with a thick slice of Oaxaca cheese and let it melt.

While the patties are cooking, split your buns and lightly butter the cut sides. Toast them on the grill or skillet until golden brown and fragrant. This is the best way to get that perfect, restaurant-style burger bun.

To assemble, spread a generous spoonful of your special sauce on the bottom bun. Place your mustard-glazed, cheesy burger patty on top. Add a warm pile of carnitas, a generous spoonful of diced grilled onions, a few dill pickle chips, a crisp leaf of lettuce, and a thick slice of tomato. Spread more sauce on the top bun, crown your burger, and secure with a skewer if you need to. Get ready for the juiciest, most flavor-packed burger of your life.

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Cooking Tips

• Grill your onions low and slow until they’re deeply caramelized.
• Prep all the toppings before you start grilling so everything is ready to go.
• Make my authentic carnitas recipe or buy already prepared carnitas at your local Latin market.
• If you want a protein style burger, swap the buns for lettuce wraps.
• Store leftover patties and toppings in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Want to make a double-double? Grill twice the number of patties and put two on each bun.

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What To Serve With It

Pair your animal style burger with classic American food favorites: crispy french fries or Mexican red adobo fries, a fizzy Mezcal margarita or a chocolate milkshake, and maybe even some refreshing ceviche or summer fruit masa cookie crumble for dessert. Extra toppings? Go for diced onion, sweet relish, or swap this creamy avocado dressing for the special sauce. And don’t forget the napkins—these are delicious burgers you’ll want to dive into, no holding back.

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Ready to try the perfect copycat In-N-Out animal style burger recipe at home? Bookmark this recipe, share it with your burger-loving friends, and let’s make this summer one for the books—one juicy bite at a time.