This Animal Style Chopped Cheese is Insane

Video Description

Today we’re making an In-N-Out animal style chopped cheese. If you’ve never had a NYC chopped cheese, it’s a legendary bodega sandwich from New York City: chopped ground beef on a hot flat top/griddle, melted American cheese, and classic toppings on a toasted roll. This version is all Animal Style: diced grilled onions, pickles, shredded lettuce, tomato, a homemade copycat In-N-Out sauce (In-N-Out spread), and the signature mustard-fried sear. I used to work at In-N-Out Burger, so we’re bringing those real In-N-Out vibes to a chopped cheese. If you love In-N-Out animal style, chopped cheese sandwiches, burger-inspired sandwiches, or griddle recipes, this one is a must-make. Ingredients (Animal Style Chopped Cheese) Grilled Onions Yellow onions, diced (1–2 large) Oil/butter (optional for the flat top) Meat + Seasoning 2 lb Wagyu ground beef (or any ground beef) Salt Black pepper Yellow mustard (for the Animal Style flip) Cheese + Bread Cooper’s American cheese (or American cheese), lots of it Hoagie roll/sub roll, toasted Toppings Pickle chips Tomato slices Shredded lettuce (shredded works best) Copycat In-N-Out Spread (In-N-Out Style Sauce) Mayonnaise Ketchup (added gradually, then ~1–1.5 tbsp more after tasting) Mustard Diced pickles White vinegar (about 1 tbsp) Sugar (about 1 tsp) How to Make It (Flat Top / Griddle) Dice onions and grill on the flat top around 375–400°F until golden. Mix the copycat In-N-Out spread: mayo + ketchup + mustard + diced pickles + vinegar + sugar. Taste and adjust ketchup. Add ground beef to the flat top (about 425–450°F max). Chop while it sears. Season with salt + pepper. Flip and add yellow mustard so it fries into the meat (mustard-fried Animal Style). Add Cooper’s American cheese, melt, then chop and fold. Add more cheese if you want (I did). Toast the hoagie roll. Optional: toast a little mustard into the bun. Build: spread → pickles → tomato → cheesy chopped beef → grilled onions → shredded lettuce → more spread. Wrap in foil (or parchment) and eat. Optional Add-On (In-N-Out style) I would’ve added the chopped chiles I always used at In-N-Out, but I didn’t have them. If you do, add them for extra authentic Animal Style flavor.