Go Back
–+ servings

Animal Style Burger Baked Potato

This is everything I love about animal style fries and a burger from In-N-Out, but with a baked potato instead of french fries. You’ve got that saucy beef, melty cheese, and caramelized onions soaking right into the fluffy center. It hits exactly like your fast food order, just a little more cozy.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Yields4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings4 servings

Ingredients

BAKED POTATOES

  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • Neutral oil, for coating
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste (for inside)
  • Butter, for serving

BURGER SAUCE

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 4 tablespoons pickle relish, drained
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

CARAMELIZED ONIONS

  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons water, or as needed

GROUND BEEF

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or avocado oil
  • 1 pound 90/10 ground beef
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, add to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 4 slices American cheese

TOPPINGS

  • Dill pickle slices
  • Pepperoncinis, chopped
  • Chopped parsley

Instructions 

BAKE THE POTATOES

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Wash and dry the potatoes well, then pierce each one a few times with a fork.
  3. Rub all over with neutral oil and season generously with salt only.
  4. Place directly on a baking sheet or oven rack and bake for about 45 to 60 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crispy and the inside centeris fork tender.

MAKE THE BURGER SAUCE

  1. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, pickle relish, ketchup, and sugar.
  2. Stir until smooth and set aside.

MAKE THE CARAMELIZED ONIONS

  1. Heat neutral oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and salt, stirring occasionally.
  3. Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, until soft, golden, and deeply caramelized.
  4. Add water a tablespoon at a time if needed to prevent sticking and to deglaze the pan as they cook down.
  5. Remove from heat.

COOK THE GROUND BEEF

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter.
  2. Add ground beef and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and yellow mustard.
  4. Cook, breaking up the beef, for about 6 to 8 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
  5. Divide into portions in the pan, top each with American cheese, and let it melt, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.

ASSEMBLE

  1. Once everything is ready, slice open the hot baked potatoes.
  2. Fluff the inside with a fork and add butter, salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix again.
  3. Spoon the cheesy ground beef into each potato.
  4. Top with caramelized onions, dill pickles, chopped pepperoncinis, and parsley.
  5. Drizzle generously with burger sauce and enjoy warm!

Notes

Q: How do I know when the potatoes are done?
A: They should feel soft when squeezed and a fork should slide in easily with no resistance. The skin will also look crisp and slightly wrinkled.
Q: Can I make the components ahead of time?
A: Yes! The beef, onions, and sauce can all be made ahead and reheated. Just assemble once the potatoes are freshly baked.
Q: Can I air fry the potatoes instead?
A: Yes, air fry at 400°F for about 35 to 45 minutes, depending on size, until crispy outside and soft inside.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. I love hearing from you!