In-N-Out Animal Style Burger Fries at Home

These In-N-Out Animal Style Burger Fries are a way of enjoying my go-to items from In-N-Out but at home. In this dish, crispy shoestring French fries are topped with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, copycat In-N-Out spread and finely diced caramelized onions. Yields 6 to 8 servings, depending.

Craving In-N-Out? Make these fries.

It starts with shoestring French fries (although, I have made this with roasted baby potatoes as well) topped with cheese, seasoned ground beef, more cheese, my kitchen-made version of In-N-Out spread and caramelized onions. It’s a fun snack or meal even – we’ve had it both ways. We like them as you see here, but fee free to top with your regular burger toppings, like chopped pickle, onion and tomato.

My only wish is that one day In-N-Out will be out east – Michigan/metro Detroit area precisely. However in the meantime, we have these fries! Seriously, they’re so darn good! Now grab a couple forks and dig in.

To Make These In-N-Out Burger Fries Set out:

• French fries – Use kitchen-made or store- bought. We like shoestring style fries dependable.
• unsalted butter – Adds richness and flavor.
• oil – Use extra light olive oil or avocado oil.
• yellow onion – Use 1 large or 2 medium.
• kosher salt – Helps to soften the onions while cooking.
• lean ground beef – I like to use lean ground beef, however use what you prefer.
• au jus gravy mix – Use from-scratch or store-bought.
• American cheese – Or use cheese of choice if preferred.
• In-N-Out Spread – It’s not animal style without it.

Make The In-N-Out spread:

Quickly whip up the In-N-Out spread and keep it refrigerated until ready to use. You can even make this a day in advance.

Make The French Fries:

You can use frozen fries or make your own. You could even roast baby potatoes (tossed in a little oil and roast at 400°F/200°C for 20ish minute) and use those as well for more of a burger bowl situation. Once the fries are crisp, remove from oven and season with salt to taste.

Make The Caramelized Onions:

I also like to start the onions at the same time as the fries. In a large sauté pan, add 2 teaspoons oil, 2 tablespoons butter and 1 large finely diced yellow onion.

Heat on medium to medium-low, sautéing until deeply golden and caramelized. This takes the most time, so I like to make it while I start the fries.

In another large pan, add 2 teaspoons oil and 1 pound lean ground beef. Use a wooden spatula to break up the ground beef, cooking until fully cooked and no longer pink.

Once fully cooked, drain off fat and discard fat. Add 1-1/2 tablespoons aus jus gravy mix in with the cooked ground beef, stir well to combine.

Move your oven rack about 6 inches away from the heating element and preheat your broiler to high.

Divide the cooked fries among 2 quarter sheet pans or use one large rimmed baking sheet. Don’t be like me and use parchment paper! Broiler + parchment is not a great idea. Clearly I was more worried about aesthetics and straightforward clean up.😂

Top with a couple slices of American cheese (on both pans) and slip under the broiler until melted watch carefully to avoid burning!

Divide the seasoned ground beef among both pans.

Top with more slices of cheese.

And slip under the broiler until melted. Again, watch carefully!

Lastly, top with desired amount of the spread and then divide the caramelized onions and sprinkle them over top.

Serve immediately while the fries are hot. With forks. Forks are a must.

For some spice, try squeezing a little hot pepper juice over top!

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Enjoy! And if you give this In-N-Out Animal Style Burger Fries recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!