Living in Chicago, the closest In N Out is a serious plane ride away, so I decided to make these Copycat In N Out Burgers at home! Not to mention, I also am allergic to gluten and dairy, so I wanted to make a version I could safely eat. This homemade version is gluten free and dairy free and made with more wholesome ingredients. I only had the privilege of trying In N Out once before I was diagnosed with food allergies at age 25, but it was an experience. Luckily, I can still eat their fries! I’m embarking on a fun, new Instagram series: recreating iconic fast food and comfort food at home, starting with the one and only In N Out burger. Make sure to check it out!
This burger comes together with two patties of juicy, saucy goodness, melty cheese (dairy free, of course!), tomato, lettuce and those essential caramelized onions. But the real star? The special sauce! If you want to bring the West Coast’s more beloved burger to your kitchen, you need to try this! If you love these Copycat In N Out Burgers, you will also love my gluten free hamburger helper, gluten free ramen and gluten free toasted ravioli.
What Is In N Out Burger?
In N Out Burger is a regional fast-food chain, primarily found in California and the Southwest, that has cultivated a remarkably loyal following. Their reputation rests on a commitment to freshness, evident in their use of 100% fresh, never-frozen beef patties and potatoes that are cut into fries on-site. The core menu is deliberately simple, featuring hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries and shakes, all made with quality ingredients. Beyond the standard offerings, In N Out is famous for its “not-so-secret” menu, which includes popular variations like “Animal Style,” featuring mustard-cooked patties, grilled onions and extra special sauce, and “Protein Style,” where the burger is wrapped in lettuce. This focus on fresh ingredients, a straightforward menu, and consistent quality has made In N Out a beloved and iconic fast-food experience.
Unfortunately, not everyone lives where there is an In N Out readily available, so I decided to make it at home with an allergy-friendly twist!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s a fun way to recreate In N Out in your own kitchen!
This rendition is gluten free and dairy free!
This Copycat In N Out Burger is so delicious!
The homemade sauce is so easy to make.
This meal is kid-friendly.
It’s super customizable.
This meal is so fun to make!
Equipment Needed
All you need to make these Copycat In N Out Burgers is a pan, spatula, knife and cutting board. If you are making the fries, you will also need an air fryer!
Ingredients Needed
Hamburger Buns: I used gluten free hamburger buns for these Copycat In N Out Burgers because I am gluten free. I actually am working on creating a homemade gluten free hamburger bun recipe, but I haven’t perfected it yet!
Avocado Oil: I used avocado oil to cook this delicious meal because it has a high smoke point. I also try to avoid seed oils because they hurt my stomach, so cooking this meal at home is great because I can choose which oils I am using!
Onion: Caramelized onions are a delicious addition to this burger!
Ketchup: Ketchup is used to make the special sauce! It adds a rich tomato flavor, which is a foundational element of the sauce.
Mustard: Mustard adds a sharp, tangy and slightly spicy element to the sauce.
Relish: Relish adds a subtle crunch and textural element to the sauce, making it more interesting than a completely smooth sauce.
Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise makes up the creamy base of this sauce! You can use vegan mayonnaise if you are not able to have eggs.
Ground Beef: Ground beef is used to make the beef patties. I like to use high-quality meat whenever I can!
Cheese: I used dairy free cheese in this recipe because I am dairy free! I like the Violife brand the best.
Toppings: This Copycat In N Out burger is also topped with lettuce and tomato.
Potatoes: I used potatoes to make homemade fries. I air fried them instead of deep frying them to make them slightly healthier!
Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper is used to season the burger patties and also the fries! My favorite is Redmond’s Real Salt because it is high-quality and made with zero fillers. If you use my discount code LESSWITHLAUR you can get 15% off Redmond’s website.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Step 2: Chop onions and slice potatoes.
Step 3: Add potatoes to a bowl of cold water with ice for 20-30 minutes. This helps make them crispy.
Step 4: Place potatoes in air fryer and coat with oil, salt and pepper. Air fry for 20 minutes at 400°F.
Step 5: Add onions to an oiled pan and cook over low to medium heat until caramelized.
Step 6: Remove onions from pan and add burger patties. Smash them down in the pan to make smash burgers and add mustard on top.
Step 7: Cook to desired doneness, adding cheese after flipping the burger patties.
Step 8: Make the sauce by combining 2 tbsp mustard, ketchup, relish and mayonnaise.
Step 9: Toast the buns and slice the lettuce and tomatoes.
Step 10: Spread sauce on each bun, add the burgers, toppings and caramelized onions.
Step 11: Add sauce and onions to the fries as well if you want to make them Animal style! Enjoy!
Storage
This meal is best consumed immediately but the sauce can be placed in an airtight container and stored for 3-5 days in the refrigerator if there are leftovers. If you have extra burger patties, I recommend storing those separately and waiting to assemble the burger until you are ready to eat it for best flavor!
Variations
Bun: I used a homemade gluten free bun, but you can also use a store-bought bun. You can also eat this meal protein-style, which means using a lettuce wrap instead of a bun.
Meat: I used ground beef for these Copycat In N Out Burgers, but you can also use ground turkey or ground chicken if you want to mix it up!
Sauce: I made homemade sauce for these burgers, but feel free to use a store-bought burger sauce instead.
Toppings: I used sauce, caramelized onions, tomato and lettuce as toppings on these burgers. Try adding extra toppings like pickles, raw onion or ketchup!
Fries: I made homemade fries using russet potatoes. You can also switch it up and use sweet potatoes if you prefer!
How to Serve
Serving a homemade In N Out experience is all about capturing the classic, casual vibe while showcasing your fresh ingredients. Here’s a guide:
- Classic Wraps:
- If you want to be authentic, wrap your burgers in white paper or use those classic red and white checkered paper food liners. This gives it that genuine fast-food feel.
- Baskets or Plates:
- For a more homey touch, serve the burgers and fries in shallow baskets or on simple white plates.
- Fries:
- Serve your freshly made fries immediately. They’re best hot and crispy. Use small paper cups or cones for a fun presentation.
Accompaniments:
- Extra Spread:
- Have a small bowl of your homemade “special sauce” available for dipping.
- Pickles:
- Offer a side of dill pickle slices or spears.
- Drinks:
- Classic options include:
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Milkshakes (if you’re feeling ambitious)
- Sodas.
- Classic options include:
- Onions:
- If you have extra grilled or raw onions, have them available for people to add to their burgers as they wish.
The “Animal Style” Experience:
- Announce the Options:
- If you’ve prepared “Animal Style” components (mustard-grilled patties, extra spread, grilled onions), make sure your guests know they’re available.
- Build-Your-Own:
- Consider setting up a “build-your-own” burger station, allowing everyone to customize their burgers to their liking.
Recipe FAQ
Can I grill the In n Out burger recipe?
Yes, feel free to grill the burgers instead!
What kind of hamburger can I use?
I made homemade hamburgers using ground beef.
What is Animal style double double?
The “Animal Style Double-Double” is a highly coveted variation of In N Out Burger’s classic Double Double. At its core, the Double-Double consists of two beef patties and two slices of cheese. However, the “Animal Style” designation elevates this burger to a new level of flavor. This popular “not-so-secret” menu option involves grilling the beef patties with mustard, resulting in a caramelized, tangy sear. Instead of the standard raw onions, the burger is topped with sweet, grilled onions. Furthermore, an extra helping of In N Out’s signature “spread,” or special sauce, is added, providing a rich, creamy tang.
Why make In N Out at home?
I like to make In N Out at home because I do not live near an In N Out. I also have food allergies, so I am not able to eat some of the traditional menu items.
What toppings can I add?
I added sauce, tomato, lettuce, cheese and caramelized onions to this burger!
What are the ingredients in the In N Out burger?
In N Out burger consists of a burger with a freshly baked bun, 100% pure beef patty, slices of American cheese, fresh crispy lettuce, slices of ripe tomato and In N Out’s signature spread. You can also add raw or caramelized onions!
Related Recipes
Be sure to try these fun dinner ideas next:
If you make these Copycat In N Out Burgers and love them, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or Tik Tok.
Copycat In N Out Burgers (Gluten Free)
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 pan
- 1 spatula
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 burger buns (gluten free)
- 1 sweet onion
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- dash salt
- dash pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 slices cheese (dairy free)
- 1 large tomato
- 1 package lettuce
- 2 tbsp mustard
Sauce
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp relish
- 3 tbsp ketchup
Fries
- 4 russet potatoes
- dash salt
- dash pepper
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Chop onions and slice potatoes.
- Add potatoes to a bowl of cold water with ice for 20-30 minutes. This helps make them crispy.
- Place potatoes in air fryer and coat with oil, salt and pepper. Air fry for 20 minutes at 400°F.
- Add onions to an oiled pan and cook over low to medium heat until caramelized.
- Remove onions from pan and add burger patties. Smash them down in the pan to make smash burgers and add mustard on top.
- Cook to desired doneness, adding cheese after flipping the burger patties.
- Make the sauce by combining 2 tbsp mustard, ketchup, relish and mayonnaise.
- Toast the buns and slice the lettuce and tomatoes.
- Spread sauce on each bun, add the burgers, toppings and caramelized onions.
- Add sauce and onions to the fries as well if you want to make them Animal style! Enjoy!
Leave a Reply