Description
Culinary magic meets California charm in this In-N-Out copycat animal style fries recipe, where crispy golden potatoes get drenched in a creamy, tangy sauce that elevates comfort food to gourmet heights. Cheese, caramelized onions, and secret sauce promise a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1/2 lb ground beef
Potatoes and Starch:
- 4 large russet potatoes
Sauce and Toppings:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup thousand island dressing
- 1/2 cup caramelized onions
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp pickle relish
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Slice russet potatoes into thin, uniform french fries, ensuring consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Rinse cut potato strips in cold water to remove excess starch, then thoroughly pat dry with paper towels to achieve crispy texture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 350°F, preparing for initial frying of potatoes.
- Carefully lower potato strips into hot oil, frying in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden but not fully crisp, then remove and drain on paper towels.
- Allow fries to cool for 10-15 minutes while preparing additional components.
- Craft animal style sauce by whisking mayonnaise, ketchup, thousand island dressing, and yellow mustard until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Season ground beef with salt and black pepper, then cook in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Return fries to oil for second frying at 375°F, cooking 2-3 minutes until deeply golden and crisp.
- Transfer hot fries to serving plate, immediately topping with seasoned ground beef.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over warm meat and fries.
- Add caramelized onions across the surface for rich, sweet flavor.
- Drizzle prepared animal style sauce over entire dish.
- Garnish with pickle relish for tangy finish.
- Serve immediately while fries remain hot and crispy.
Notes
- Double-fry technique ensures ultra-crispy exterior with soft interior, preventing soggy fries and maximizing restaurant-quality texture.
- Pat potatoes completely dry before first frying to eliminate moisture and guarantee golden, crunchy results.
- Use fresh, cold oil for each frying batch to maintain optimal temperature and prevent oil degradation.
- Ground beef can be substituted with plant-based crumbles for vegetarian version, maintaining similar flavor profile and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 1020
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1000 mg
- Fat: 57 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 39 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 92 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg