In-N-Out Burgers

Our family's favorite show is not a television show, but rather an audio podcast. I know, we're weird. But, weird is good. :) We started listening to Two Gomers Run a Half Marathon (now called Two Gomers Run a Marathon) a couple of years ago. The podcast is basically these two regular guys who talk about their journey of trying to run a marathon. They are absolutely hysterical, and often talk about pop culture and their favorite fast food restaurants. One of the places they mention several times as being a favorite is In-N-Out Burgers. Now, being from the Midwest, I had never heard of this restaurant. It is a west coast burger chain that is apparently very popular. When we traveled to California for vacation last year, we decided to take the Gomers' advice and check it out. Well, they were right! The burgers are a huge, greasy, saucy, wonderful mess. :) The key to the burger is the special sauce. Since we aren't going on vacation this summer, I thought I would reminisce this week and make some In-N-Out Burgers at home. If you really want to be true to the experience, be sure to have a chocolate shake with your burger. :)

Special Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons finely minced white onion
dash of salt
dash of pepper

Mix all these ingredients in a bowl, cover, let sit in the fridge for a couple hours to let the flavors bind together.

Burger Ingredients:

Hamburger buns
Grilled hamburger patties
Slices American cheese
Tomato slices
Iceberg lettuce leaves
Special Sauce (see above)


Grill your burgers to your desired level of doneness, and top with the cheese to melt. (In-N-Out actually fries theirs, but grilling is simply better.)

You do have assemble the burger in the correct order to really have a true In-N-Out burger:
1. Spread the special sauce on the bottom half of the bun.
2. Add the tomato slices.
3. Top with iceberg lettuce (don't use shredded or other types of lettuce).
4. Add the grilled, cheese-covered patty.
5. Top with the other half of the bun.

Eat and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Full Bellies, Happy Kids