If you’re a big fan of In-N-Out like me, then you’re in for a treat! Today, I’m going to show you how to make one of their secret menu items right at home – the Flying Dutchman Burger. This burger is cheesy, beefy, and loaded with caramelized onions, all without the bun! It’s super simple, totally satisfying, and perfect for anyone who wants something low-carb or just really loves meat and cheese (hello, me!).
Method
Make the Special Sauce
To start off, you’ll want to prepare the delicious In-N-Out-style sauce that brings everything together. In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1/3 cup of ketchup, 1/3 cup of sweet relish, 2 tablespoons of mustard, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix all the ingredients well until the sauce is smooth and evenly combined. Once it’s ready, cover the bowl and refrigerate it while you work on the rest of the recipe. Chilling it helps the flavors blend and gives it that classic In-N-Out taste.
Prepare the Onion
Next, take your large onion and peel off the outer skin. Carefully slice the onion into four thick rings, each about 1/3 inch wide. Try to keep the slices whole and intact as they’ll be used to sandwich the patties later. Set these onion slices aside for now they’ll be caramelized after the patties are cooked.
Make the Burger Patties
Now it’s time to get hands-on with the beef! In a large bowl, add 1 pound of 80/20 ground beef along with 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Using your hands, gently mix the meat and seasoning until just combined don’t overwork the mixture or it may make the patties tough. Once mixed, divide the beef into four equal parts and roll each into a ball. To flatten them into patties, place one meatball between two pieces of parchment paper and use a plate or flat-bottomed object to press down until it’s thin and round. Repeat this step with all four portions and set the patties aside, ready for cooking.
Cook the Patties
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and drizzle in a little oil to prevent sticking. Once hot, place the beef patties onto the skillet. Depending on how thin your patties are, cook them for a few minutes on each side until fully cooked through. I like mine cooked to 160°F for a well-done finish. While the patties are still in the skillet, place a slice of American cheese on top of each one and let it melt slightly. Once the cheese is gooey and the patties are done, remove them from the skillet and set them on a plate. Cover them loosely with foil to keep warm while you cook the onions.
Caramelize the Onions
Before cooking the onions, sprinkle each slice lightly with a pinch of salt and sugar on both sides. This helps them caramelize nicely and brings out their natural sweetness. Using the same skillet (with more oil if needed), reduce the heat to medium-low and gently place the onion slices in the pan. Cook them for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they become soft and golden brown. Watch them closely to make sure they don’t burn. Once the onions are nearly done, place a slice of American cheese on top of two of the onion slices and let it melt for a minute or so. The other two onion slices will remain plain these will go on top of the burger.
Assemble the Flying Dutchman
Now comes the fun part building the Flying Dutchman! Start with one of the cheesy onion slices as the base. Stack two cheesy burger patties right on top, then finish it off with one of the plain caramelized onion slices. This forms a savory, low-carb burger “sandwich” where onions replace the bun. Repeat this for the second burger.
Serve
Your Flying Dutchman burgers are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them while hot, alongside a generous spoonful of that chilled In-N-Out sauce. You can drizzle the sauce right on top, dip each bite, or even serve it on the side whatever makes you happiest!
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Skillet or griddle
- Knife and cutting board
- Parchment paper
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Plate (for flattening patties)
- Foil (for keeping patties warm)
In-N-Out Flying Dutchman Burger – Copycat Recipe!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings15
minutes20
minutes35
minutesIngredients
For the Patties
1 lb 80/20 ground beef
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
For the Caramelized Onions
1 large onion
Pinch of salt and sugar
Oil for cooking
For the In-N-Out Style Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup sweet relish
2 Tbsp mustard
1 tsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Other
4 slices American cheese
Directions
- Make the Special Sauce:
In a bowl, mix mayo, ketchup, sweet relish, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir until smooth. Pop it in the fridge while we cook. - Prepare the Onion:
Peel the onion and slice it into 4 big rings, about 1/3 inch thick. Set aside. - Make the Burger Patties:
In a bowl, combine the ground beef with salt and pepper. Mix gently with your hands don’t squish it too much! Divide into 4 equal balls. Put one ball between two pieces of parchment paper and flatten it with a plate. Repeat for all. - Cook the Patties:
Heat your skillet or griddle. Add a bit of oil and cook the patties until they’re done (I cook mine to 160°F well done). Add a slice of cheese on top of each, then remove them from the skillet and keep warm under foil. - Caramelize the Onions:
Sprinkle each onion slice with a pinch of salt and sugar. Add more oil to the skillet and cook onions over medium-low heat. Let them get golden brown and soft about 5 minutes per side. On two of the onion slices, add a slice of cheese and let it melt. - Assemble the Flying Dutchman:
Place a cheesy onion slice at the bottom. Stack two cheesy beef patties on top, then finish with the plain caramelized onion slice. Repeat for the second burger. - Serve:
Serve hot with that yummy In-N-Out sauce on the side or spoon it right on top!
Notes
- Don’t overmix the beef too much mixing can make your patties tough.
- Keep the heat on medium to low when cooking onions if it’s too hot, they’ll burn instead of caramelizing.
- Use parchment paper to flatten the patties evenly without sticking.
- Be careful not to overcook the patties if you prefer them juicy!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of pickles or lettuce wraps.
- Add a small salad or some air-fried potatoes if you’re feeling fancy.
- Perfect with a cold soda or even a milkshake if you’re going full In-N-Out mode!
Fun Fact
Did you know the Flying Dutchman is part of In-N-Out’s “not-so-secret” secret menu? It’s just meat, cheese, and onions no buns or extras. Perfect for a low-carb lifestyle or anyone who just wants the good stuff!
Conclusion
And there you have it your very own In-N-Out Flying Dutchman made right at home. It’s super easy, fun to make, and full of bold, cheesy, meaty flavor. Whether you’re avoiding carbs or just want to switch up burger night, this recipe hits the spot every time.
