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Home » Recipes » Dressings, Sauces & Condiments

Burger Sauce

Published: May 7, 2022 | Last Updated: July 20, 2022 | Lisa 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links.

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Last Updated July 20th, 2022 at 07:09 am by Lisa

A graphic showing messy grilled burgers and for the recipe to make them.

Make one of the best burger sauces just like the In-N-Out spread from the west coast drive-through chain that started in Southern California.

In So Cal, an In-N-Out Double Double "animal style" with fries and a soda is a way of life. There is actually a whole secret language and ways to order off-menu, more on that later.

When you crave the real thing, here is my favorite way to make a copycat recipe of the In-N-Out burger spread special sauce. It is well, a very messy burger situation, with all that drippiness and melted cheese...

In-N-Out Sauce Copycat Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons ketchup

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2 tablespoons Dill Pickle Relish (avoid sweet relish to keep it authentic)

2 teaspoons White Wine Vinegar (or swap regular white vinegar)

½ teaspoon sugar

In-n-Out Copycat Sauce Recipe

In a medium bowl, whisk these simple ingredients together. Combine mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, ketchup, sugar, and white wine vinegar.

Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a month. I love to use those condiment squeeze bottles for the summer, it makes it so easy for cookouts. Just be sure to not leave at room temperature for more than an hour.

While I tested a sweet pickle relish (sweet relish) for this recipe, I found the main difference is that it adds too much sweetness and is not the same as the original In-N-Out sauce recipe. The dill pickle juice and the tart dill relish adds a tanginess that gets it very close to the original.

Also, that tiny splash of vinegar adds the right amount of acid to counterbalance the pinch of sugar in this tangy sauce adding complexity.

Perfect Copycat In-N-Out Burgers

For the perfect copycat for real In-N-Out restaurant burgers, start out with quality ingredients. One of the hallmarks of this famous burger chain is they do not cut corners and use the finest quality ingredients available.

  • Grill your all American ground beef hamburger patty on a flat top in a bit of yellow mustard for that authentic taste! Try to form meat for each patty pretty thin like In-N-Out does it. You can sear the beef patties in an iron skillet or on your outdoor grill over medium-high heat.
  • Use quality American cheese, add slices of cheese and let it get melty.
  • Toast the buns on the grill or griddle until golden brown.
  • On the bottom bun and the top bun, spread a couple of tablespoons of sauce.
  • Next, add the dill pickles, try my homemade quick recipe and add 5 or so pickle chips on the bottom bun.
  • Then add a tomato slice or two, a piece of Iceberg lettuce, and an onion slice if you wish.
  • Now add your mustard cooked hamburger patties with melted cheese.
  • And finally top with this In-N-Out burgers sauce recipe and finely diced caramelized onions if you like it "Animal Style".

In-N-Out Burger FAQ

Who started In-N-Out Burger?

In-N-Out Burger is an American restaurant chain of drive-through fast food restaurants with locations primarily in California and the Southwest.

It is a family business founded in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948 by Harry Snyder and Esther Snyder.

What is animal-style at In-N-Out Burger?



According to the website for In-N-Out restaurants, "animal style" is a mustard grilled beef patty made on a flat top, hand-leaved lettuce (Iceberg), tomato slices, dill pickle chips, extra spread (similar to a Thousand Island Dressing), and grilled onions which are a finely chopped mix of caramelized onions.

What is on a In-N-Out double double burger?


Order a "double double" and you will get two beef patties, on a toasted bun, with two slices of real American cheese, onions sliced or grilled caramelized onions (your choice), hand-leafed lettuce, spread sauce (secret recipe since 1948), and juicy tomato slices.

What is the on the secret menu at In-N-Out Burger?


-If you order "animal-style fries", they pour the caramelized onions and burger sauce all over to make animal style fries. Oh, by the way, don't try to order onion rings, they don't make those!
-Order "3X3 or Triple Triple" for three 100% American beef patties, hand-leafed lettuce, tomato, spread, and three slices of American Cheese with or without onions, stacked high on a freshly baked bun.
-Order "protein style" and they will replace the hamburger bun with lettuce for a low-carb burger.
-Order extra yellow chili peppers, that will come in a small cellophane bag to enjoy with your burger (those aren't on the menu)
-In 2018, hot cocoa was added back to the menu just like it was offered in the 1950s. This is quality cocoa from Ghirardelli and served with marshmallows. Kids under 12 can enjoy it for free on rainy days!!
-Lemonade was added to the menu around 2003.
-You can request extra spread (in small condiment packets to dip fries in or squirt more on your burger.
-Not all In-N-Outs will recognize what you mean when you order "Roadkill Fries". These fries are animal style fries plus hamburger crumbled on top.
-If the location is unfamiliar with this item simply order animal fries and a "Scooby Snack" (solo hamburger patty) and self-crumble the meat on top.
-And last but not least, if you order a "Puppy Patty" (for your doggies) you will get one hamburger grilled patty in a paper sleeve for your pup.

The Best Cheeseburger Recipe
What is more American than hamburgers or classic cheeseburgers? These are topped with a copycat In-N-Out Burger sauce spread and seasoning.To make the best burger recipe, you have got to have so secrets up your sleeve. Today we will cover everything you need. Plus cookout grilling tips and 20+ burger topping ideas.
GET THE RECIPE PIN IT
A person holding a messy grilled burger topped with melted cheese, burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.

Best Topping Ideas For Burgers

There are endless options, these are just a few inspiring ideas to top a grill cheeseburger at your cookout. Whether you keep it classic or go wild, it is so fun to try out new flavors and ingredients...

  • Crispy Bacon
  • Grilled Onions
  • Sauteed Mushrooms
  • Burger Sauce (In-N-Out Copycat)
  • Pickle Chips
  • Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Remoulade
  • Ortega or Hatch Chiles
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Creamy Horseradish Sauce
  • Cheeses: Blue Cheese, Pepper Jack, etc.
  • Guacamole
  • Ranch Dressing
  • Jalapenos
  • Fried Onions

More Burger Recipes

Grilled Hamburgers (Cheeseburgers) with burger sauce plus all my tips to make the perfect hamburger patties with easy toppings for summer grilling, BBQs, and cookouts.

Burger Seasoning makes the flavor-filled juicy hamburgers. Mix up a batch of hamburger seasoning for your next cookout, grill, or BBQ party.

Cheeseburger Sliders are mini burgers stuffed with cheddar cheese, spread with burger sauce, and oven-baked. The perfect party food for summer cookouts or celebrations like birthdays and graduation.

  • The Best Cheeseburger
  • The Best Burger Seasoning
  • Cheeseburger Sliders

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A messy grilled burger topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles and burger sauce in a basket with a bottle of burger sauce.
Print Pin Recipe

Burger Sauce Recipe -In-N-Out "Animal Style" Spread

Make one of the best burger sauces just like the In-N-Out spread from the west coast drive-through chain that started in Southern California.
When you crave the real thing, here is the best way to make a copycat recipe of the real In-N-Out burger spread special sauce.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 856kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Nostalgia Condiment Squeeze Bottles
Rubbermaid Leak-Proof Food Storage Containers

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk these simple ingredients together. Combine mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, ketchup, sugar, and white wine vinegar.
  • Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a month. I love to use those squeeze bottles for the summer, it makes it so easy for cookouts. Just be sure to not leave at room temperature for more than an hour.

Notes

Perfect Copycat In-N-Out Burgers

For the perfect copycat for real In-N-Out restaurant burgers, start out with quality ingredients. One of the hallmarks of this famous burger chain is they do not cut corners and use the finest quality ingredients available.

  • Grill your all American ground beef hamburger patty on a flat top in a bit of yellow mustard for that authentic taste! Try to form meat for each patty pretty thin like In-N-Out does it. You can sear the beef patties in an iron skillet or on your outdoor grill over medium-high heat.
  • Use quality American cheese, add slices of cheese and let it get melty.
  • Toast the buns on the grill or griddle until golden brown.
  • On the bottom bun and the top bun, spread a couple of tablespoons of sauce.
  • Next, add the dill pickles, try my homemade quick recipe and add 5 or so pickle chips on the bottom bun.
  • Then add a tomato slice or two, a piece of Iceberg lettuce, and an onion slice if you wish.
  • Now add your mustard cooked hamburger patties with melted cheese.
  • And finally top with this In-N-Out burgers sauce recipe and finely diced caramelized onions if you like it "Animal Style".

More Burger Toppings

There are endless options, these are just a few inspiring ideas to top burgers at your cookout. Whether you keep it classic or go wild, it is so fun to try out new flavors and ingredients...
  • Crispy Bacon
  • Grilled Onions
  • Sauteed Mushrooms
  • Burger Sauce
  • Pickle Chips
  • Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Remoulade
  • Ortega or Hatch Chiles
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Creamy Horseradish Sauce
  • Cheeses: Blue Cheese, Pepper Jack, etc.
  • Guacamole
  • Ranch Dressing
  • Jalapenos
  • Fried Onions

Nutrition

Serving: 8g | Calories: 856kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 84g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 50g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1447mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 354IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let's see it on Instagram! Follow us @Delicious.Table and tag us on your recipe photo with #delicioustable
Need ingredients or equipment to make this recipe? Shop Now Every cooking product recommended I own, use, and love how they perform in my kitchen. Happy Cooking! Lisa
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Delicious Table earns advertising fees from qualified purchases linking to Amazon.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Seanna Borrows says

    May 13, 2022 at 12:06 pm

    5 stars
    This burger sauce is amazing. Makes the perfect compliment to burgers and dipping sauce for fries!

    Reply
  2. Jessica Robinson says

    June 28, 2021 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    This burger sauce is seriously the BEST finger licking sauce I've ever have. I cannot eat a burger without it! So good!

    Reply
  3. Laura says

    June 28, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    5 stars
    This burger sauce was perfect. And you're right it tastes a lot like In-N-Outs. Yum!!! Thank you.

    Reply

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