Homemade In-N-Out Style Burgers

Make your own In-N-Out style burgers at home. Thin, juicy beef patties are cooked to perfection and topped with melted American cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a tangy special sauce. Assemble them on buttery toasted buns for a restaurant-quality burger you can enjoy in under 30 minutes.

Serving Size:

Makes 4 burgers (single).

For double burgers, double the recipe to make 8 patties.

Each serving: 1 burger per person (plus optional fries or sides).

Prep time: 10–15 minutes

Cook time: 10–12 minutes

Total: 25–30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Burgers:

1/2 lb ground beef (preferably 80/20 for juiciness)

1 1/2 cups chopped onions

4 tbsp yellow mustard

4 hamburger buns

1 tbsp butter

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Lettuce leaves (optional)

1 ripe tomato, sliced (optional)

8 dill pickle slices (optional)

4 slices American cheese

For the Special Sauce:

2 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp ketchup

2 tsp sweet relish

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp distilled white vinegar

Instructions:

Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, sugar, and vinegar until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or until ready to serve) to let the flavors meld.

Caramelize the Onions:

Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and 1/2 tsp salt, sautéing until golden and caramelized, about 10–12 minutes.

*Add a splash of water if onions start sticking. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Prepare the Patties:

Divide ground beef into four 2" balls. Flatten into thin patties, slightly larger than your buns (1/4" thick). Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Toast the Buns:

Butter both sides of buns lightly. Toast butter-side down in the skillet until golden brown. Set aside.

Cook the Patties:

Heat ½ tablespoon of butter in a skillet over high heat until melted and hot.

Add the patties and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to develop a nice, golden-brown crust.

While the first side is cooking, spread 1 tablespoon of mustard on the raw side of each patty.

Flip the patties so the mustard side is down and cook for 1 minute (adjust time as needed for your stove).

Immediately place a slice of American cheese on each patty and cover the skillet for 30 seconds to let the cheese melt perfectly.

Assemble Your Burger:

Spread sauce on both top and bottom buns.

Layer with pickles, cheesy burger, caramelized onions, lettuce, and tomato.

Cover with the top bun and gently press to combine.

Serve:

Serve hot with a side of golden fries or chips. Enjoy your homemade In-N-Out style burger!

Tips:

Use 80/20 beef for maximum juiciness.

Don’t overcrowd the skillet, work in batches if needed.

Let the cheese melt fully by covering the skillet briefly after adding the cheese.

Optional: add a small pinch of smoked paprika to onions for extra depth.