Flying Dutchman Burger Recipe

A close-up of a cheeseburger inspired by the In-N-Out Burger Recipe (Flying Dutchman), with two beef patties, melted cheddar cheese, and thick slices of cooked onion on top, cheese slices and condiments blurred in the background.

If you’ve been craving an Flying Dutchman Burger Recipe at home, I’ve got you covered! My kiddos are absolutely obsessed with anything from In-N-Out. Since we no longer live in California, my daughter and I decided to recreate their famous In-N-Out burger. This copycat recipe is just like the real deal—juicy burger patties stacked without a bun, sandwiched between two golden, caramelized slices of onion. Add in gooey melted cheddar cheese and that signature In-N-Out sauce, and you’ve got the perfect homemade version of the Flying Dutchman!

Course Dinner, Dinner recipes

Cuisine American

Keyword copy cat recipe, In-N-Out, In-N-Out burger recipe, In-N-Out burgers

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Calories 888kcal

Author Janine Waite

Ingredients

Carmelized Onions

4 large yellow onions
4 tbsp unsalted butter
¼ tsp salt

Burger Patties

1½ pounds ground beef 80/20 blend
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
8 slices cheddar cheese You can use presliced American cheese like In-N-Out does. I sliced my own from a block of cheese. Also, you can place one slice on every other burger, so when you assemble them, you only have one slice of cheese for your two-burger stack.

Copycat of In-N-Out Secret Sauce

½ cup mayonaise
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp sugar
¼ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Secret Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish until smooth.
Stir in the vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder.
Taste and adjust seasoning—add a pinch more sugar for sweetness or vinegar for tang.
You can chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Onions

Prep the onions – Slice your onions into thick, even rounds so they hold together while cooking.
Melt the butter – Add butter to a warm skillet over medium-low heat. Let it melt slowly so the flavor deepens.
Watch for caramelization – As the butter heats, the milk proteins will begin to brown. You’ll notice tiny golden bits forming—this is when the butter is perfectly caramelized. Be careful not to burn it.
Add the onions – Gently place the whole onion slices into the skillet, making sure they stay intact.
Cook low and slow – Let the onions cook undisturbed until the bottom is soft, golden, and caramelized. This could take several minutes.
Flip carefully – Use a spatula to flip the slices and cook the other side until equally caramelized and golden brown.
Set aside for later use.

Patties

Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions and shape into thin patties.
Season each side with salt and pepper.
Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat and cook patties for 2–3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Place the cheese slice on each patty and cover until melted.

Assembling the Burger

Place one caramelized onion slice on a plate as the “bottom bun.”
Add the double cheeseburger patty stack on top.
Drizzle with secret sauce, if desired.
Finish with another caramelized onion slice as the top bun.

Nutrition