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This classic grilled cheese has gone ANIMAL STYLE loaded with grilled onion and a special sauce!
Wow. Now that is a grilled cheese.
One of my all time favorite places to eat, In-N-Out. The sad news is, they are very limited in locations, there are not very many outside of the state of California. They are branching out more though, so maybe someday they will be everywhere! YAY!
The good news is, now that you have this recipe you can experience the taste in your own home!!
This grilled cheese is made in classic In-N-Out animal style with the grilled onions and that yummy to die for sauce. When I get my meal from In-N-Out I always get a few extra packets of that sauce. Even though my meal is already smothered and covered in cheese and sauce, I still need just a bit more of it.
The sauce is pretty much identical to In-N-Out’s. And now that I know how to make it, I do believe I will be using it on many, many more things!
Now, my husband is going to tell you that this sandwich was his idea. I, however, am convinced this was MY idea. I honestly don’t even remember which one of us came up with it (it was me by the way) but this sandwich turned out so bomb that neither of us will humble ourselves to give credit to the other.
This sandwich is so good it has turned us against one another! No, I’m just kidding. But seriously though…it was my idea.
Now, it’s time for some honesty from me. I’m not a fan of onions (you thought I was going to say it was my husband’s idea didn’t you?). Drives my husband nuts! He loves them! So guess who I made this sandwich for? My husband. I came up with this awesome idea and then let him eat it!
I did however sneak a bite. And I must say..it was DELICIOUS!! Even with the onions! The onions I will give the credit to the hubby for. He makes amazing grilled onions. And the recipe for those is included below!
Grilled Cheese Animal Style
Ingredients
Special Sauce
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp sweet pickle relish
- 2 tsp onion minced
Grilled Onion
- ½ cup onion diced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
Sandwich
- 4 slices white bread
- 6 slices American cheese singles
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
Special Sauce
- Stir all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl until they are well combined.
Grilled onions
- Heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat
- Add in the onion and soy sauce. Cook over medium heat until the onions are soft.
Sandwich
- Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place all slices of the bread onto a heated griddle butter side down. Immediately place the cheese onto two slices of bread. Allow to cook on low heat to allow the cheese to melt and the bread to toast. Once the bread is toasted turn off the heat. Scoop half the grilled onions on top of the bread with the melted cheese. Top with the special sauce. Then place the other slices of toasted bread, toasted side up, on top to create the sandwich. Enjoy!
Equipment
- skillet
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
i’ve been trying to look for a specific sauce for soooo long. my sisters bf used to make me these grilled cheese sandwiches with the most amazing sauce and he would never give me the recipe. this tasted exactly like it
Would this recipe taste good with whole wheat bread?
It’s a very good recipe. I made the mistake of not cutting the pan off so my bread was a little darker than I wanted. I also added Swiss cheese and used mayonnaise on the outside of my bread instead of butter. I was that it might could use a little less soy sauce or more onions so the flavor isn’t so pungent., but it’s still good. I wish I could post the pictures I took show you mine.
TOP SECRET
When you do the onions, add some beef broth (i use 1 tsp condensed “Better than bouillon” and 1/4 cup water) and cook till evaporated,, and a teaspoon of sugar after that. Then let it brown to your liking. It will caramelize the onions and even an onion hater will ask for more…
END OF TOP SECRET MESSAGE
Love this!! Thanks for this awesome Top Secret information!
For an added and even better version (IMHO) — do a double toasted version. What you ask? Simply toast the bottom side as directed but do NOT put the cheese or anything else on. Then, once the bottom is nice and toasted, butter the top and flip. THEN put the cheese, etc. on the now toasted side and continue. The extra nummy toastiness is amazing and once you try a grilled cheese this way, you’ll never go back. Well, I never have. 🙂
Sounds amazing!! Thanks so much 🙂
Grilled onions on anything makes me happy! I can’t wait to try it on my grilled cheese!
Thanks so much Ellie! I hope you enjoy! Merry Christmas
You can actually order this from In-N-Out. My brother worked there when he was in high school and we learned you can order anything provided they have the ingredients. Im going to make this at home because it looks like something my hubby would love. Thats for the recipe!
I just made this and it’s freaking delicious. I think I might need to make another one right now because it was so tasty. Thanks so much!!
This was really really yummy! Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I’m having heart palpatations…i am not sure if it is due to my desire to eat a pallet load of this scrumptiousness…or, if just reading this article is clogging my arteries.
Either way…thank you for the recipe that i will be using in the very near future.
Ryan, you just made me laugh! Whichever it is, I hope you enjoy your sandwich! Thanks for stopping by.