Go Back Email Link
+ servings
Animal style nachos on a tray.
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Animal Style Nachos (In-N-Out copycat)

With sweet caramelized onions and a copycat special sauce, these In-N-Out animal-style nachos will become your new dinner staple. Like your favorite cheeseburger in nacho form, this recipe comes together in just 20 minutes and is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 20 minute, high protein
Servings: 4
Calories: 779kcal
Author: Mika Kinney

Ingredients

  • 6 cups tortilla chips

Beef

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 6 teaspoon yellow mustard

Caramelized Onions

  • ½ diced yellow onion
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon soy sauce

Toppings (feel free to use more or less of each topping)

  • 2 cups cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • cup diced pickles
  • cup diced tomatoes
  • 6 tablespoon high protein special sauce get the recipe here, or use thousand island dressing

Instructions

  • Caramelize the onions by sautéing ½ diced yellow onion over low heat in 1 tbsp butter. After a few minutes, add the ¼ tsp salt and pepper, ½ tsp brown sugar, and ½ tsp soy sauce, and keep cooking on low for another 10 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Once done, set aside.
  • While the onions cook, brown 1 lb ground beef in 6 tsp yellow mustard. Turn the oven on to low broil.
  • Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread out the tortilla chips (feel free to use more or less than 6 cups, but about half a bag felt right for us). Top with the ground beef and 2 cups cheddar cheese. Broil for about 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
  • Remove from the oven and top with caramelized onions, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and high protein special sauce. Serve up family style and enjoy!

Video

Notes

get creative
These are the toppings to make these nachos animal-style but feel free to get creative. You can make:
  • Big Mac nachos with a Big Mac sauce
  • California-style with guacamole, jalapenos, and chipotle sauce
  • Add a sweet twist with pineapple, chicken, and teriyaki sauce.
some quick tips
  • Line a super large rimmed baking sheet with foil to make clean up a breeze.
  • To prep this ahead of time, brown the beef, make the caramelized onions, shred the cheese, and chop the veggies up to 2 days in advance. Then when you're ready to eat, just layer, broil, layer, and enjoy!
Storage: I'll be honest, these nachos don't keep very well. I would try to just make what you think you'll eat. If you aren't sure, you can give everyone a small pan or cast iron and they can make their own plate of nachos. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 779kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 59g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 1001mg | Potassium: 733mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 816IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 612mg | Iron: 6mg