Recipes

Supercharge Your Cooking Skills: Animal Style Burger and Fries from In n Out

Introduction

There's something undeniably magical about the iconic In n Out Animal Style Burger and Fries. An off-menu delight that originated from California's beloved In n Out franchise in the late 1960s, this lip-smacking cuisine has captured hearts and taste buds across the globe.

The star of the Animal Style Burger is indeed the all-beef patty, amped up with a delicious layer of mustard cooked right into the patty. It’s topped with mouthwatering cheese, a heap of caramelized onions, and a generous spread of the famous animal-style sauce - medley of flavors that take you straight to burger heaven. For the fries, prepare for a beautiful mess of golden, crunchy potato sticks loaded generously with cheese, grilled onions, and the special sauce.

And the beauty of this dish? It's not just relegated to a meal on its own. The In n Out Animal Style is a versatile delight - make it a part of your summertime BBQs, pair it with a fresh salad for a laid-back lunch, or enjoy it as a game-night indulgence. And of course, the sauce itself can bring a world of flavor to any dish you desire.

Personally, I love adding some extra pickles to my Animal Style Burger for an added crunch. And why stop at pickles? Feel free to experiment and add in your favorite toppings and condiments for an added personal touch.

Or embrace your creative culinary spirit by experimenting with the Animal Style concept for other dishes! How about an Animal Style pizza or even an Animal Style pasta? Ah, the power of kitchen creativity.

Prep Time Cook Time Total Time Servings Yield
30 minutes 15 minutes 45 minutes 4 people 4 Burgers and 1 large serving of fries

Ingredients

For the Animal Style Burger:

  • 4 fresh beef patties (1/4 pound each)
  • 4 soft hamburger buns
  • 8 slices of American cheese
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup of ice burg lettuce, shredded
  • 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
  • 16 dill pickle chips
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

For the Animal Style Sauce:

  • 2/3 cups of mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup of ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish
  • 2 teaspoons of sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of distilled white vinegar

For the Animal Style Fries:

  • 4 large potatoes, sliced into thin sticks
  • Oil, for frying
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 cup of Animal Style Sauce
  • 4 slices of American cheese
  • 1/2 large onion, finely chopped

Nutrition Facts

Amount per Serving (1 Burger & 1/4 Fries Serving)
Calories: 980
Total Fat: 51g (78% DV*)
Saturated Fat: 20g (100% DV*)
Cholesterol: 120mg (40% DV*)
Sodium: 1450mg (60% DV*)
Total Carbohydrates: 85g (28% DV*)
Dietary Fiber: 5g (20% DV*)
Sugars: 12g
Protein: 39g (78% DV*)

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Directions

For the Animal Style Burger:

  1. Begin by preparing the onions. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add chopped onions with a tablespoon of oil. Stir occasionally until onions are well caramelized, golden brown, and sweet. This may take around 15-20 minutes. Set aside when done.
  2. While the onions are being caramelized, mix together all the ingredients listed under 'Animal Style Sauce' in a bowl. Mix well until it's all combined, then set aside.
  3. Heat up your grill or stove-top skillet before you get the patties ready. While it's heating, divide your beef into 4 equal portions and shape each piece into a patty, around 1/2 inch thicker than the bun. Season the patties with salt and pepper on each side.
  4. Place the patties onto the grill or skillet. After placing the patties, spread around a tablespoon of mustard over the top of each patty. When the bottom of the patty is cooked and seared, around 2-3 minutes, flip it over.
  5. Place a slice of cheese on each of the cooked sides, then a spoonful of caramelized onions. Cover the grill or pan, which will allow the cheese to melt more easily, for another 2-3 minutes.
  6. When the patties are cooked, transfer them to a plate so they can rest. Place buns cut-side down on the grill or skillet to toast them slightly.
  7. Finally, assemble your burger. Bring out your toasted buns, then spread a generous amount of Animal Style Sauce on both halves. Place a patty with cheese and onions on each bun, followed by the lettuce, tomato, and pickle chips. Put the top bun on and your Animal Style Burger is complete!

For the Animal Style Fries:

  1. Start by peeling and cutting your potatoes into thin sticks. Then soak potato sticks in a large bowl of water for about 15 minutes to remove the excess starch. This will make them crispier when frying.
  2. While your potatoes are soaking, prepare the onions. Using the same method as you did for the burgers, caramelize your onions in a skillet with a tablespoon of oil. Once they're caramelized and set aside, you can get back to your fries.
  3. Drain and dry the potato sticks. Add oil to a deep fryer or a large, heavy pot to a depth of a few inches. Heat this oil over medium heat until it reaches 375 degrees.
  4. Fry your potato sticks in batches, not allowing them to overcrowd the fryer or pot, until they're golden and crisp. This could take 5-7 minutes per batch. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fries to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain, and immediately season them with salt.
  5. Place a portion of fries on a heat resistant plate or bowl. While still hot, layer the fries with slices of cheese, spoon over a generous amount of the reserved caramelized onions and a dollop of the Animal Style Sauce.
  6. Serve your Animal Style Fries hot and cheesy, and enjoy them in their messy glory!

Nutrition Facts Breakdown

Understanding the nutritional contents of the Animal Style Burger and Fries from In n Out is crucial to manage your daily dietary intake. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you can expect from a single serving.

Calories

A single portion, equivalent to one burger and one-fourth of the fries serving, racks up to approximately 980 calories, making it a hefty meal. This might be slightly over half of an average person's daily calorie intake, based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Fats

Regarding fat content, expect around 51 grams of total fat and 20 grams of saturated fat. Saturated fats are crucial to note as they can raise the level of "bad" cholesterol and hence should be restricted.

Cholesterol

The cholesterol content amounts to 120mg, which is 40% of the daily value—a significant fraction, hence this meal should be enjoyed in moderation.

Sodium

The sodium content is approximately 1450mg—60% of the daily value. Sodium is essential to the body. Still, excess intake can lead to high blood pressure and other health complications, hence, should be watched.

Carbohydrates

This savoury meal contains about 85 grams of total carbohydrates–about 28% of the daily value–providing energy for your day. It also contains 5 grams of dietary fiber that can aid in digestion and 12 grams of sugars.

Protein

Last but certainly not least, this meal offers a substantial protein punch of 39 grams. Protein is crucial for muscle development and various body functions.

*Note: The percent daily values mentioned are based on a standard 2000 calorie diet. The actual daily values may vary depending on individual calorie needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is In n Out Animal Style?

In n Out 'Animal Style' is a secret menu from the popular California-based fast food chain, In n Out. The 'Animal Style' Burger includes a beef patty cooked with mustard, topped with cheese, extra spread (a Thousand Island dressing variant), grilled onions, and pickles. 'Animal Style' Fries, on the other hand, are fries topped with cheese, spread, and grilled onions.

2. What is the special 'spread' in Animal Style?

The special 'spread' used in In n Out 'Animal Style' is a variation of Thousand Island dressing. Our recipe includes mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, sugar, and white vinegar to recreate this special sauce.

3. How many calories are there in this recipe?

A single serving of this homemade recipe, which includes one Animal Style burger and a quarter serving of Animal Style fries, contains approximately 980 calories.

4. Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, you can modify this recipe to be vegan-friendly. Use vegan patties instead of beef patties, and swap the American cheese for your preferred vegan alternative. For the spread, utilize vegan mayonnaise and ensure your relish and ketchup are vegan as well.

5. How should I store leftovers?

Store leftover burgers in an air-tight container in the fridge. You can microwave them to reheat. However, for fries, it is best to consume them immediately. If necessary, reheat them in the oven rather than the microwave to maintain crispness.

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