- October 29, 2023
- Appetizers
Animal Style Sliders Recipe
These delectable animal style sliders feature juicy burger patties topped with melty American cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a secret sauce that’s bursting with flavor. Perfect for game day parties or casual gatherings, these sliders bring the iconic taste of In-N-Out to your own kitchen, allowing you to savor the irresistible blend of sweet, savory, and tangy in every bite.
If you’ve ever visited the West Coast, chances are you’ve heard of In-N-Out Burger and its iconic Animal Style Smash Burger. These mouthwatering cheeseburger sliders have become a fast-food legend, and today, we’re bringing that amazing flavor straight to the comfort of your own home with our copycat recipe. Get ready to dive into the world of Animal Style Cheeseburger Sliders!
Love beef-based sliders? Check out this recipe for my classic pull-apart cheeseburger sliders, these Big Mac sliders, or try making Meatball sliders as well.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Balanced Flavor Profile: The combination of ingredients in this recipe creates a well-balanced flavor profile. The special sauce adds a tangy, sweet, and savory element, while the caramelized onions provide a rich and sweet contrast. Together with the juicy burger patties, American cheese, pickles, and fresh lettuce, you get a symphony of flavors in every bite.
- Texture Variety: Texture plays a crucial role in the success of this recipe. The crispy lettuce and pickles provide a satisfying crunch, while the melty cheese and tender burger patties create a luscious, mouthwatering experience. The secret sauce ties everything together, enhancing the overall texture and making each bite enjoyable.
- Customizable and Familiar: This recipe allows for customization to suit your personal preferences. You can adjust the level of doneness of the burger patties, add extra toppings like tomatoes or bacon, or modify the secret sauce to your taste. Additionally, the familiarity of In-N-Out’s Animal Style Burger makes this recipe a hit with those looking to recreate the flavors of a beloved fast-food favorite at home.
What Are Animal Style Sliders?
In-N-Out Burger, a beloved fast-food restaurant primarily found on the West Coast, is famous for its classic burgers and secret menu offerings. Among them, the Animal Style Burger reigns supreme. It’s a cheeseburger loaded with extra toppings, including sweet caramelized onions, pickles, and a secret sauce that takes it to the next level. I have In N Out protein style copycat burger recipe you can make too!
Supplies Needed:
Skillet - Knife & Cutting Board
- Aluminum Foil
- Nonstick Spray
- Baking Sheets
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients:
To recreate these delicious cheeseburger sliders at home, gather the following ingredients:
Burger Patties:
- Slider Rolls (Any slider bun works, I like brioche though if I can find them)
- Ground Beef (I used this delicious American Wagyu ground beef from Raikes Beef Co.)
- Burger Sauce (see below how to make this)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (grate your own if possible)
- Worcestershire Sauce
- SPG (Salt, Pepper, Garlic)
Toppings:
- American cheese slices
- Dill pickles
- Tomato Slices
- Shredded Lettuce (I like romaine or iceberg)
Secret Sauce:
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Yellow mustard
- Sweet pickle relish
- Minced Onion
- Pickle Brine
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
Cooking Your Cheeseburger Sliders
1. Preparing the Secret Sauce
The secret sauce is the heart of the Animal Style Burger. In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard, 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish or diced pickles, 1 teaspoon of pickle brine, 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and minced onions. Mix it well and set aside. You will use half for the burger mixture and half for topping at the end.
2. Caramelizing the Onions
This process always takes some time, but it is so worth it! Slice your yellow onions thinly. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add a tablespoon of butter. Sauté the onions until they become golden brown and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes. Set the sautéed onions aside.
3. Making the Burger Patties
Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then add in the Worcestershire sauce and continue to cook until fully browned. If you have a lot of grease, fully drain it and let the ground beef cool slightly.
To this ground beef mix in 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, 1/2 of the prepared burger sauce (about 1/2 cup), and the caramelized onions. Mix until fully combined.
4. Assembling Your Sliders
The sliders cook best when wrapped in foil (this prevents soggy and burnt buns). I lay two pieces down on the counter so they slightly overlap, spray with nonstick spray, and then place the bottom half of the slider buns in the center.
Add the ground beef mixture and then additional slices of American cheese (if desired). Place the top buns on and then wrap them tightly in the foil. Sometimes, I find it’s easier to make two smaller wrapped bundles of six instead of twelve. Both ways work!
5. Baking and Topping
Bake the sliders wrapped in foil directly on the oven racks at 350 F. for about 30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melty and gooey. Remove them from the oven and let them rest briefly before carefully opening the foil packets to remove the top bun layer. The cheese can stick a bit, so do this carefully!
Finish the sliders off with lots of pickles, tomato, shredded lettuce, and a little more burger sauce. Add the bun tops back on.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Place your Animal Style Cheeseburger Sliders on a serving platter and pair with my traditional deli-style potato salad or these smoked baked beans. Don’t forget to offer extra sauce on the side for dipping.
More Slider Recipes To Try
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders Recipe
- Muffuletta Sliders
- Mini Chicago Hot Dog Sliders
- Brie Stuffed Sliders
Animal Style Sliders Recipe
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture
- 12 Slider Buns I love brioche with this recipe
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheese
Caramelized Onions
- 2 Onions sliced thin
- 1 tbsp Butter
Toppings:
- 8 sliced American Cheese
- 1 cup Shredded Lettuce
- 2 small Tomatoes sliced thin
- 12 Pickles
Burger Sauce
- 1/3 cup Mayo
- 2 tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tbsp Mustard
- 1 tbsp Pickle Brine
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbsp Minced Onion
- 1 tbsp. Pickle Relish
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Combine the burger sauce ingredients together in a bowl and whisk until combined. Set it aside or place into the fridge until ready to use.
- Slice the onions and sauté over medium-low heat to caramelized, stirring as needed. This takes about 25-30 minutes.
- Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside. Using the same pan, brown the ground beef with the worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until fully browned and drain any grease onto paper towels.
- To the cooled and drained ground beef, fold in 1/2 cup of the burger sauce,1/2 cup of shredded cheese, and all of the caramelized onions. Ensure it is all thoroughly mixed!
- Take two pieces of foil and slightly over lap them. Spray well with nonstick spray.
- Place the bottom layer of the slider buns onto the center of the foil and add the ground beef mixture over the top. Add the slices of American cheese and the top buns. Then wrap tightly and securely in the foil.
- Place the sliders wrapped in foil directly onto the oven rack for 30 minutes or until the filling and cheese is fully heated and melted.
- Remove from the oven and carefully unwrap and remove the top layer of the buns to add the toppings. Add the slices of tomatoes, pickles, and shredded lettuce and finish it off with additional burger sauce.
- Slice with a serrated knife and serve!
I love these sliders! They are so easy to make and so delicious. I can’t wait to make them again.