Animal-Style Cheeseburger Burritos

An animal-style cheeseburger burrito is exactly what it sounds like: In-N-Out’s legendary mustard-seared burger, caramelized onions, melty cheese, fries, and that famous sauce, all wrapped up in a tortilla. It’s fast food turned comfort food, but with a little twist that makes it even more fun.

I still remember the first time I tried making this at home. I didn’t have buns, but I did have tortillas and a bag of fries. One thing led to another, and suddenly, I was holding the messiest, most satisfying burrito I’d ever eaten. My kitchen smelled like a burger joint, and my hands were covered in sauce, but I didn’t care.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what animal style really means, how to make cheeseburger burritos at home, how many calories to expect, and even where you might grab one near you. I’ll also share tips on animal fries, loaded fries, and why this burrito deserves a spot on your dinner rotation.

If you’ve ever wondered “what is a cheeseburger animal style?” or searched “cheeseburger burrito near me,” this article will give you the answers (and the recipe) in one place.

What Is an Animal Style Burger (and How Does It Become a Burrito?)

An animal-style burger is In-N-Out’s not-so-secret menu icon. It’s made with mustard seared into the patty, grilled onions, melted cheese, pickles, and a generous drizzle of “spread” (their version of Thousand Island sauce).

Now picture that burger, but instead of buns, you’ve got a tortilla. Add some fries right inside, fold it up, and you’ve got yourself an animal-style cheeseburger burrito. It’s everything messy and delicious about the burger, just easier to hold (well, sort of… it’s still gloriously messy).

I like to think of it as the love child between Taco Tuesday and burger night.

Homemade Animal Style Cheeseburger Burrito Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to pull this off:

• Flour tortillas (large burrito size)
• Ground beef or burger patties
• Sliced American cheese
• Caramelized onions
• Fries (frozen or homemade—your call)
• Pickles
• Burger sauce (mayo, ketchup, relish, vinegar)

For a twist, some folks use recipes like the Animal Fries Burger Lab recipe for inspiration. If you’ve got a sauce you love from a local burger lab, go ahead and swap it in.

Step-by-Step Instructions (Burger + Sauce + Burrito)

1. Make the sauce: Mix mayo, ketchup, relish, and a splash of vinegar. That’s your animal style spread.
2. Cook the onions: Low and slow until golden brown and sweet.
3. Cook the beef: Press mustard onto one side of the patty as it cooks for that true animal-style taste.
4. Crisp the fries: Oven-baked or fried—it doesn’t matter as long as they’re crunchy.
5. Assemble: Tortilla, cheese, fries, beef, onions, pickles, and sauce. Roll it like a burrito.
6. Toast: Pan-sear or grill until the tortilla is crisp and golden.

That first bite? Heaven. Salty, cheesy, tangy, crunchy, it’s the best of all worlds.

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use two tortillas if yours keep tearing.
• Add jalapeños or hot sauce if you like spice.
• Freeze extra burritos before toasting—they reheat beautifully.
• Want extra crunch? Swap in tater tots for fries.

I once tried it with sweet potato fries, and while it wasn’t “authentic,” it gave the burrito this sweet-savory balance that worked surprisingly well.

Animal Fries & Loaded Fries: The Flavor Boost You Didn’t Know You Needed

Animal fries are In-N-Out’s fries topped with cheese, grilled onions, and spread. They’re basically comfort food on steroids.

Making them at home is simple: fries, cheese, onions, and sauce. That’s it. Want to upgrade? Add bacon bits or jalapeños, and you’ve got animal-loaded fries.

This side dish is perfect with your burrito. I mean, a burrito stuffed with fries, served with fries, topped with sauce? It sounds wrong, but it feels so right.

How Many Calories are in an Animal Style Burger Burrito?

A homemade animal-style cheeseburger burrito usually ranges from 700–950 calories, depending on how heavy-handed you are with cheese, sauce, and fries.

For context:

• A standard animal-style burger’s calorie count is about 740.
• In and out animal style burger calories and in n out animal style calories usually fall in that same range.
• A burrito version will naturally be higher since you’re adding fries and a tortilla.

If you want lighter options, try the protein style burger in-n-out calories approach, skip the tortilla, and wrap it in lettuce. I’ve done this when I was “trying” to be good, and while it wasn’t the same, it still scratched the itch.

Cost Comparison: Homemade vs Fast-Food Price

So, how much does an animal-style cheeseburger price run? At In-N-Out, an animal-style burger costs just under $5. Add fries and a drink, and you’re looking at about $10.

Making it at home? Roughly $2–3 per burrito, depending on your ingredients. Plus, you get bigger portions, extra sauce, and the joy of saying, “Yep, I made this.”

Honestly, the cost savings are one of my favorite parts.

Craving It Now? Find a Cheeseburger Burrito Near You

If you’re not in the mood to cook, just search cheeseburger burrito near me on Google Maps or food delivery apps. Many Tex-Mex spots and burger fusion restaurants offer something similar.

It won’t always be called “animal style,” but look for keywords like “cheeseburger burrito,” “burger wrap,” or “loaded burger burrito.” Chances are, you’ll find a spot nearby.

FAQs About Animal Style Cheeseburger Burritos

What is a cheeseburger animal style?
It’s In-N-Out’s famous burger made with mustard-seared beef, caramelized onions, cheese, pickles, and special sauce. When you wrap those same ingredients in a tortilla with fries, you get the burrito version.

Can I use frozen fries?
Yes, frozen fries work fine. Just bake or air-fry until crispy before stuffing them inside.

Can I customize the sauce?
Absolutely. Add sriracha for spice, or swap mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

Are there vegetarian options?
Yep—use veggie patties, plant-based cheese, and the same sauce. It’s still delicious.

How to keep a burrito crispy?
Toast it in a skillet or panini press after rolling. That crunch makes all the difference.

How to make animal-style fries?
Fries + cheese + grilled onions + sauce. That’s the magic formula.

Join the Fun: Share Your Burrito Creation

Once you’ve nailed your own animal-style cheeseburger burrito, share it online using #cheeseburgerrecipe. I love seeing creative spins, vegan versions, double-stuffed burritos, and even breakfast twists with eggs.

Food is more fun when it’s shared. And trust me, this burrito is worth showing off.