Did you know you can make an authentic-tasting Animal Style burger at home using an Oklahoma Joe’s Judge charcoal grill? I’ve been eager to recreate this In-N-Out classic for a while — it takes me back to grabbing a juicy Animal Style with my parents when I was a kid.
This copycat recipe is straightforward, but the special sauce and properly caramelized onions are what make it sing. I used the Judge Charcoal Grill for steady, high heat that’s perfect for smash-style patties.
Post Sponsored by Oklahoma Joe’s.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love this Animal Style Burger
- More Smash Burgers
- Animal Style Burger Ingredients
- How to Make Animal Style Burgers
- Caramelized Onions
- Sauce and Burgers
- Why Mustard?!
- Build and Serve
- Animal Style Burger Recipe
Why You’ll Love this Animal Style Burger
If you love big, savory flavors, this version delivers. The two components that set it apart are deeply caramelized onions and the special sauce. The onions need time — plan on about 45 minutes of low-and-slow cooking to develop rich sweetness and color. While the onions are finishing, mix the sauce so the flavors marry and are ready when the burgers come off the griddle.
Once the sauce and onions are ready, you can smash patties hot and fast to create crispy edges and melty cheese — a West Coast double-double experience in your own kitchen.
More Smash Burgers
Steakhouse Smash Burgers
Elvis Smash Burger
Cheesy Onion Smash Burgers
Chili Cheese Smash Burgers
Beer Cheese Smash Burgers
Jalapeño Popper Smash Burgers
Animal Style Burger Ingredients
Prep is quick — about 10–15 minutes — but total cook time is roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to serve three people.
For the patties: 85/15 ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and yellow mustard.
For caramelized onions: one diced yellow onion and a little oil.
For the special sauce: mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, white vinegar, and white sugar.
Finish the burgers with brioche buns, American cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and dill pickle chips. Of course, feel free to add any other favorite toppings. For a classic pairing, serve with chocolate milkshakes and enjoy a nostalgic West Coast-style meal at home.
How to Make Animal Style Burgers
Caramelized Onions
Preheat your Oklahoma Joe’s Judge Charcoal Grill to medium for direct cooking (about 300°F). Place a cast iron skillet on the grill to heat for a couple of minutes, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil, then add the diced onion. Cook low and slow, stirring regularly, until the onions turn a deep brown and develop sweetness — about 45 minutes. Remove and keep warm.
Sauce and Burgers
Whisk all special sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and chill until ready to use.
Heat the grill to high (about 450°F) for direct cooking. Form the ground beef into loosely packed balls of roughly 1/4 lb each. Heat a cast iron skillet or plancha until it’s just smoking, then add a ball of beef. Cover it with parchment and press firmly with a spatula to create a thin patty.
Season the patty with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and cook 1–1.5 minutes. Before flipping, drizzle a little yellow mustard onto the top of the patty.
Why Mustard?!
Mustard adds a bright, tangy note and helps the surface caramelize on the side that will finish cooking after flipping, enhancing both flavor and crust.
Flip carefully, season the new side, top with American cheese, and let it melt for 1–2 minutes. Remove the patties to rest and repeat until all patties are cooked.
Build and Serve
Toast brioche buns until golden. Spread a tablespoon of the special sauce on the bun, add pickles, tomato, lettuce, one or two patties, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, and finish with more sauce. Serve immediately and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Animal Style Burger
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Ingredients
Beef:
- 1-2 lbs Ground Beef 85/15
- 1.5 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 1.5 tbsp Black Pepper
- 1.5 tbsp Garlic Powder
- Yellow Mustard as needed
Caramelized Onions:
- 1 Whole Yellow Onion diced
- Canola Oil as needed
Special Sauce:
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup Ketchup
- 2.5 tbsp Relish
- 2 tbsp White Vinegar
- 1 tbsp White Sugar
Burger:
- Brioche Burger Buns
- Sliced American Cheese
- Sliced Tomatoes
- Sliced Lettuce
- Dill Pickles chips
Instructions
Caramelized Onions:
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Preheat your Oklahoma Joe’s Judge Charcoal Grill to medium heat (around 300°F) for direct cooking.
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Heat a cast iron skillet on the grill for 2 minutes.
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Add 2 tbsp oil and the diced onion.
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Slow cook, stirring regularly, until the onions are dark brown and sweet, about 45 minutes.
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Remove and keep warm.
Burgers:
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Mix all special sauce ingredients and chill until needed.
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Heat the grill to high (around 450°F) for direct cooking.
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Form ground beef into loosely packed 1/4 lb balls, making 6–8 balls depending on total meat.
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Heat a cast iron skillet or plancha until slightly smoking (about 450°F).
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Place a beef ball on the skillet, cover with parchment, and press firmly with a spatula to smash.
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Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and cook 1–1.5 minutes.
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Drizzle a bit of yellow mustard on the unflipped patty before flipping.
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Flip, season the other side, top with cheese, and let melt 1–2 minutes.
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Remove to rest and repeat for remaining patties.
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Toast buns until golden.
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Assemble with special sauce, pickles, tomato, lettuce, patties, caramelized onions, and more sauce.
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Serve and enjoy.