The best copycat burger recipes recreate famous fast-food burgers at home by matching three things: patty style (usually thin and griddled), cheese (almost always American), and the signature sauce. Our roundup covers copycat versions of the In-N-Out Double-Double, Shake Shack burger, Five Guys burger, Big Mac and Whataburger, plus a copycat Big Mac sauce you can use on anything.
These are home-kitchen tributes, not official recipes, and none of these chains is affiliated with PlanetBurger. They're built from each chain's published menu descriptions and classic burger technique.
Copycat In-N-Out Double-Double
In-N-Out's menu describes its burgers as 100% American beef patties with hand-leafed lettuce, tomato and spread, with or without onions. The Double-Double stacks two patties and two slices of American cheese. The chain's "not-so-secret menu" also lists Animal Style, with a mustard-cooked patty, pickles, extra spread and grilled onions.
Keys to the copycat: thin patties seared hard on a griddle, a Thousand Island-style spread, a soft toasted bun, and for Animal Style, a squiggle of yellow mustard on the raw side of the patty before flipping.
Get the recipe: In-N-Out Double-Double copycat.
Copycat Shake Shack burger
Shake Shack's menu describes the ShackBurger as a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce. It's a smash-style burger with a well-browned crust, served on a soft, squishy bun.
Keys to the copycat: a cold ball of 80/20 beef smashed thin on a very hot griddle, American cheese, green leaf lettuce, tomato, a tangy mayo-based sauce and a buttered, toasted potato roll.
Get the recipe: Shake Shack burger copycat.
Copycat Five Guys burger
Five Guys is known for griddled double-patty burgers and for letting you choose your toppings. The chain lists toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, jalapeños, green peppers, relish and a range of sauces, and says all toppings are free.
Keys to the copycat: two thin patties cooked well done on a flat top, a soft sesame bun, and a toppings spread so everyone can build their own. It's a great choice for a burger bar party.
Get the recipe: Five Guys burger copycat.
Copycat Big Mac
McDonald's describes the Big Mac as two 100% beef patties and Big Mac Sauce on a sesame seed bun, with pickles, shredded lettuce, finely chopped onion and a slice of American cheese. At the restaurant it famously has a middle bun layer between the two patties.
Keys to the copycat: very thin patties, finely minced onion, shredded iceberg, a three-piece bun (use the bottom half of an extra bun as the middle), and plenty of special sauce.
Get the recipe: Big Mac copycat.
Copycat Big Mac sauce
The sauce is the heart of the Big Mac. Home versions usually start with mayonnaise and sweet pickle relish, then add mustard, a little vinegar, and seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour so the flavors blend.
Get the recipe: Big Mac sauce copycat. For more ideas, see our guide to the best burger sauces.
Copycat Whataburger
Whataburger is a Texas-born chain known for big burgers on large toasted buns, dressed with mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles and diced onions. It's a different style from the thin, saucy California and New York burgers above: wider, mustard-forward and built for a big appetite.
Keys to the copycat: a wide, thin patty that matches a large bun, yellow mustard instead of special sauce, crisp vegetables, and a well-toasted bun.
Get the recipe: Whataburger copycat.
Tips for better copycat burgers
- Use 80/20 beef. Fast-food style burgers are thin, so they need fat to stay juicy.
- Go thin and hot. Most of these burgers are griddled. A cast iron skillet or flat-top griddle works best. Our smash burger vs. regular burger guide explains the difference.
- Use American cheese. It melts smoothly and gives that classic fast-food flavor.
- Toast the buns. A buttered, toasted bun is a big part of the experience.
- Make the sauce ahead. Most special sauces taste better after an hour in the fridge.
- Cook to 160°F. Thin patties reach the USDA safe minimum for ground beef quickly, so check one with an instant-read thermometer.
Gear that helps
You don't need special equipment, but a few tools make fast-food style burgers easier. A heavy cast iron skillet or a flat-top griddle holds the high heat that thin patties need. A stiff, wide spatula lets you smash patties flat and scrape up the crust in one piece. Squares of parchment keep the meat from sticking to the spatula, and a melting dome or pan lid helps cheese melt in the few seconds a thin patty needs after flipping.
How to set up a copycat burger night
Pick two or three copycats and set out their signature pieces side by side: a bowl of spread, a bowl of Big Mac-style sauce, yellow mustard, shredded lettuce, minced onion and sliced pickles. Cook a steady stream of thin patties on the griddle, and let everyone assemble their favorite. Toast buns in batches so they're warm when the patties are ready.
Sides to complete the fast-food meal
Round out your copycat night with classic french fries, beer-battered onion rings or a classic vanilla milkshake.
Which copycat burger should you make first?
- Easiest: Five Guys, since you just need good patties and your favorite toppings.
- Best for smash burger fans: Shake Shack or the In-N-Out Double-Double.
- Most fun to assemble: the Big Mac, with its three-piece bun.
- Best for big appetites: Whataburger.
FAQ
Are these official recipes from the restaurants?
No. They're home-kitchen recreations based on each chain's published menu descriptions and common burger techniques. The chains don't share their exact recipes.
What's the secret to fast-food burgers at home?
Thin patties cooked on a very hot griddle, American cheese, a soft toasted bun and a signature sauce get you most of the way there.
What is In-N-Out spread made of?
In-N-Out doesn't publish its recipe. Home versions are usually a Thousand Island-style mix of mayo, ketchup and sweet pickle relish.
What's the difference between Big Mac sauce and burger sauce?
They're close cousins. Both are mayo-based with pickle relish; Big Mac-style sauce usually leans a bit sweeter and tangier. Our easy burger sauce is a good all-purpose version.
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