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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.

Grilled cheese with grilled onion and in-n-out sauce.
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In-N-Out Inspired Grilled Cheese

Author sitting at table smiling

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

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Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Serene
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.
Grilled cheese with grilled onion and in-n-out sauce.
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

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.
    Making grilled onions in a skillet.

Sandwich

  • Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
    Buttering 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.
    Toasting bread with cheese.
  • Top with half the grilled onions and spoon on some of the special sauce.
    Toasting bread topped with cheese, onions, and 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.
    Two grilled cheese on a small baking sheet with special sauce.

Equipment

  • skillet

Notes

Cheese matters.
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

Calories: 661kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 2406mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 735IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 565mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Photography by JessGaertnerCreative.com

Welcome to my kitchen!

Welcome to the House of Yumm!! My name is Serene. I’m the food photographer, recipe developer, and official taste tester around these parts.

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31 Comments

  1. Protip: if you use the same pan to grill the grilled cheese as you grilled the onions, you will win at life

    Reply

  2. You should be able to write this recipe off as a charitable contribution for how much it is going to CHANGE MY LIFE! Thanks- can’t wait to try it. 🙂

    Reply

  3. I’ve never been to In ‘n Out (I’m in Ohio) but I’ve heard so much about the “animal style” I made a copycat burger a few weeks ago at home. They were SO good! And considering how much I love grilled cheese, this is a fantastic idea I need to try as well. I’m stopping over from Marvelous Mondays. Pinned!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Jill! Take my word for it, this sauce is practically identical to In-N-Out!! And I would know! I’m addicted to their sauce. So if you make this it’ll be just like you were there 😉 Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

  5. That IS a grilled cheese! I’m having a hard time handling that gooey middle and crusty edge. *swoon* You make amazing sandwiches Serene! I could drink that sauce!

    Reply

  6. Oh yum!! This looks crispy and delicious on the outside… but oh-so-gooy on the inside! YUM! Happy Easter btw!

    Reply

  7. My mouth is already drooling. Too bad my oldest son hates onions. Oh wait, that just means there’s more for everyone else…lol.

    Reply