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Let’s talk about grilled cheese—but not just any grilled cheese. This one is ooey, gooey, gloriously golden, and absolutely slathered in the stuff dreams are made of: caramelized onions, melty cheese, and yes—animal-style sauce.
In-N-Out Inspired Grilled Cheese
This sandwich is crispy, golden, melty, saucy, salty, ridiculously good. It tastes like your favorite fast-food burger and your favorite childhood grilled cheese got together.
It’s the kind of thing I make on weeknights when we’re tired and hungry. It doesn’t involve much prep or forethought. These are ingredients I typically have on hand, making it a fun last minute family-pleaser.
If you’ve got onions, cheese, and 15 minutes, you’re halfway there. Let’s do this!
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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
- 4 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 the bread in a skillet over medium low heat with the butter side down. Top one piece of the bread with cheese. Cook on medium low heat to allow the cheese to melt.
- Top with half the grilled onions and spoon on some of the special sauce.
- Place the other slice of bread on top (it should be nice and golden brown!) and serve the sandwich. Continue with the remaining bread to make 2 sandwiches.
Equipment
- skillet
Notes
Classic American cheese gives you that ultra-melty pull, but pairing it with something sharper like cheddar or Monterey Jack adds depth. Use what you love, but don’t skip the American for that nostalgic diner-style melt. Bread choice:
Thick, sturdy slices like sourdough or Texas toast hold up best to all the fillings and give you that perfect crunch. Soft sandwich bread may get soggy or fall apart. Spread the butter evenly.
For a golden, crisp exterior, make sure the butter reaches all the way to the edges of the bread. You can also use mayo instead of butter for extra browning. Sauce tip:
This sauce doubles as an amazing dip for fries, burgers, or even chicken tenders. Make extra—it keeps well in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by JessGaertnerCreative.com
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.