• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Contact
Check out my cookbook

The Toasted Pine Nut

fun. flavorful. feel-good recipes.

  • Check out my cookbook!
  • Recipes
    • Dessert
      • Cookies
      • Bars & Brownies
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Pies & Crumbles
      • Candy
      • No Bake
    • Meal
      • Breakfast
      • Main Dishes
      • Appetizers
      • Sides
      • Snacks
      • Drinks
      • Salads
      • Sauces & Dips
      • Dessert
    • Diet
      • Gluten Free
      • Dairy Free
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Egg Free
      • Kid Friendly
      • Low Carb
      • Nut Free
    • Meat
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Chicken & Poultry
      • Beef & Pork
      • Meatless
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Oven
      • Grill
      • Stovetop
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Recipe Filter
  • Shop
    • My Baking Mixes
    • Kitchen Essentials
    • Pantry Items
    • Kid Favorites
    • Photography
  • Cookbook
  • Videos
Home Recipes Main Dishes
★★★★★ 5 from 1 Reviews

Animal Style Hamburgers

30 mins
Avatar by: Lindsay Grimes
June 9, 2017 (Updated: June 6, 2020)
Jump to Recipe
Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

animal style hamburgers
From backyard bbq’s to weeknight meals, these animal style hamburgers with caramelized onions and special sauce will be your new summer staple.

It’s hard to believe I’ve made it 2+ years with this blog and I don’t have a hamburger recipe yet. What’s wrong with me! I think it’s because I don’t make hamburgers on my own, really. For some reason, I wait until we’re out and about to indulge in a thick, juicy, hearty, hamburger.

animal style hamburgers

One thing I love about California is no matter where you go, no matter the menu, you can always ask for your hamburger to be animal style. I don’t remember that animal-style availability so much on the east coast. Or if it was an option, I always hesitated because it felt like a big ask. Out here, “animal style” aka hold the bun and wrap that baby in lettuce has become my standard order.

I thought it would be fun, now that summer is here, to bring in a BOMB hamburger recipe so you can indulge in all the yumminess. ‘Tis the season, my friends, ’tis the season.

animal style hamburgers

Another thing I love about where I live is there is a grocery store a couple blocks away. I wasn’t completely sure how I’d transfer from my city life to suburbia with the whole car thing, but having a shopping center within walking distance has been ahhmazing.

My love for Ralphs started with my ability to walk to it. I never came across a Ralphs during my east coast life, so I was pumped to explore a new store.  Then, as I was checking out, the cashier’s packed up my groceries and SMILED at me. What?Pleasantries? What is happening?! In Philly they’d just stare at you and be all like “Whuut? They’re your groceries.”

animal style hamburgers

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bashing Philly. I love Philly and when people ask me how I am adjusting, I must admit that the east coast has a certain charm, hustle, and grit that I miss. I also feel some sort of way when people out here just expect their groceries to be packed for them and don’t jump in to bag when it’s needed. Wait… I don’t know how this turned into an east coast/west coast thing. I love Biggie and TuPac equally, you guys.

Burgers! Back to the burgers. These burgers will for sure be your new summer staple. From backyard bbqs to weeknight meals, there’s fun for everyone. Plus! I’m all about the animal style, but throw some buns in there for the kids or people that want them and these puppies are a crowd pleaser.

animal style hamburgers

When I grilled these babies up, my mouth was salivating. They are so flavorful and juicy, I may or may not have licked one as it came off the grill just to get a taste…

OH! And after thirty-one years on this planet, I finally figured out the secret to a good lettuce wrap. I’m sharing the deets below, but quick spoiler, it’s ALL about the kind of lettuce you choose.

From the special sauce to the caramelized onions, from the crunchy wrap to the juicy, charred patties, THESE are the only burgers I’m eating from here on out. Ok, might have gone a little far with that last statement, but you know what I’m saying. They’re that good. I mean, I’m definitely going to eat other burgers if the moment strikes, but as far as making them myself, THESE will be my go-to.

So lettuce make some animal-style hamburgers. Get it? Let us…

animal style hamburgers

In a bowl, combine the ground beef, 1/2 of the onion (finely chopped), minced garlic, Parmesan, Worcestershire, ketchup, egg, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to combine all the ingredients and shmush everything together. When I was a kid, this was my favorite part of making meatballs.

animal style hamburgers

Then, form them into patties. I made smaller slider patties (about 8) so they were easily wrap-able in the lettuce, but use your judgment for how big you want them.

I went the extra step and sprayed each side of the hamburger with some ghee. you can use any spray you want (or brush them with oil). I totally don’t know if you’re supposed to do this, I just wanted to make sure there was zero sticking to the grill.

Heat your grill on high for 5 – 10 minutes. Then turn down the heat to medium and place the burgers on the grill. Grill each side for about 5 minutes, until they are easily flippable and don’t stick when you try to slide the spatula under.

animal style hamburgers

While you’re cooking the hamburgers, or waiting for the grill to heat up, slice the other half of the onion and place it in a pan over medium heat with 1 tablespoon butter or oil. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes to caramelize the onions.

For the special sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, ketchup, garlic powder, hot sauce, and liquid smoke.

animal style hamburgers

The KEY to this lettuce wrap is getting GREEN LEAF LETTUCE. These are crunchy, yet foldable and they really hold together. Place a slice of tomato in the middle of the leaf, followed by some avocado, the burger, caramelized onion, and some special sauce. Fold up the sides and secure with a couple toothpicks.

These are best and juiciest right off the grill, so enjoy immediately. OMG, salivating.

animal style hamburgers

animal style hamburgers

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Animal Style Hamburgers

From backyard bbq’s to weeknight meals, these animal style hamburgers with caramelized onions and special sauce will be your new summer staple.

AvatarRecipe by:Lindsay Grimes
★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
Prep: 10 minsCook: 20 minsTotal: 30 mins
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: 8 1x

Ingredients

  • Hamburgers:
  • 1 lb. grass-fed ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 – 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 egg
  • salt and pepper
  • Toppings:
  • 1/2 onion, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon butter (for caramelizing the onions)
  • 1 slicing tomato
  • 1/2 avocado, sliced
  • 8 leaves green leaf lettuce
  • Special Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons mayo
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • dash hot sauce (about 1/8 teaspoon)
  • dash liquid smoke (about 1/8 teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine the ground beef, 1/2 of the onion (chop it), minced garlic, Parmesan, Worcestershire, ketchup, egg, salt, and pepper.
  2. Use your hands to combine all the ingredients and mix everything together.
  3. Form the meat mixture into patties. I made smaller slider patties (about 8) so they were easily wrap-able in the lettuce.
  4. Optional step: spray (or brush) each side of the hamburgers with oil or ghee.
  5. Heat your grill on high for 5 – 10 minutes.
  6. Then turn down the heat to medium and place the burgers on the grill.
  7. Grill each side for about 5 minutes, until they are easily flippable and don’t stick when you try to slide the spatula under.
  8. While you’re cooking the hamburgers, or waiting for the grill to heat up, slice the other half of the onion and place it in a pan over medium heat with 1 tablespoon butter or oil.
  9. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes to caramelize the onions.
  10. For the special sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, ketchup, garlic powder, hot sauce, and liquid smoke.
  11. Place a slice of tomato in the middle of the leaf, followed by some avocado, the burger, caramelized onion, and some special sauce.
  12. Fold up the sides and secure with a couple toothpicks.
  13. These are best and juiciest right off the grill, so enjoy immediately. OMG, salivating.

Tips

Serving (1 burger): Calories 424; Fat 21.5g (Sat 8.6g); Protein 47g; Carb 6.6g (net carb 5.2g); Fiber 1.4g; Sodium 224mg

© The Toasted Pine Nut

Did you make this?

I love seeing what you made! Tag me on social @thetoastedpinenut

Rate recipe Tag me on Instagram

 

Enjoy!! xo

Thanks so much to Ralphs for sponsoring this post! I love working with my favorite brands and couldn’t be more thrilled they support The Toasted Pine Nut!! xo

Animal Style Hamburgers

116 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Save
  • Email
overhead image of a gluten free sprinkle cookie with a bite taken out on a white counter

Never miss a recipe!

Join our pine nut family and get recipes delivered right to your inbox.

Join now!
15 no bake desserts

You May Also Like...

  • Sweet Balsamic Tempeh
  • Prosciutto + Fig Kabobs
  • Spicy Vegetarian Tofu Tacos

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

If you love this recipe it would mean SO MUCH to me if you give it a star rating and leave a comment about it. Not only do I love basking in the glory of your recipe love, but (perhaps more importantly 😋) it helps other readers find my recipes online. Thanks so much for your feedback!!

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. AvatarMelizz says

    Posted on 6/12/17 at 10:54 am

    Love this recipe ! I was on the lookout for a burger staple and i might have found it.

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay says

      Posted on 6/12/17 at 1:24 pm

      Yay! I hope you love it!! xo

      Reply
  2. AvatarJessica says

    Posted on 4/5/18 at 3:33 pm

    Um these are SO good!!
    As a Philly native, I always assumed “animal style” was the sauce so I’m glad you cleared that up!
    These were so simple and delicious! Definitely keeping these in my rotation

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 10/16/20 at 6:23 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad you loved them!! I’m from south jersey and lived in Philly for 8 years! Sending you love!! xo

      Reply
  3. AvatarSarah says

    Posted on 1/24/19 at 11:32 pm

    I made this recipe for myself and my boyfriend this week and everything turned out amazing! I didn’t have liquid smoke so I did not make the sauce, but used just ketchup, mayo, and mustard as the condiments (I love condiments…)and it tasted wonderful! Thank you Rachel! Can’t wait to try out more recipes 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay says

      Posted on 1/27/19 at 7:57 pm

      I love condiments too!! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed them!! xo

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Lindsay

Hi Friend!

I'm Lindsay I love sharing simple, better-for-you recipes. When I'm not in the kitchen, you can find me at the beach watching my kids boogie board and soaking in that warm Cali sun (with sunscreen, of course).

Read more...

Recipe Key

GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free P Paleo Browse All

Most Popular

This is a horizontal image of a hand with deep pink nail polish holding a chocolate quinoa crisp in between their thumb and pointer finger. More chocolate quinoa crisps are blurred in the background.

5-Min Crunchy Chocolate Quinoa Crisps

overhead image of a muffin tin filled with 12 raw eggs sprinkled with pepper

Perfect Oven-Baked Eggs in a Muffin Tin

This is a side view of a chocolate almond butter bar with a bite taken out of it. The bar sits on a white piece of parchment paper and is sprinkled with salt. More bars are blurred in the background.

No Bake Almond Butter Bars

Lemon & Avocado Kale Salad

Freebie alert!

Get My Free No Bake Desserts eBook!

Explore

More Main Dishes

This is an overhead view of a cast iron skillet with chickpeas and mushrooms in a marsala sauce. A wood spoon is scooping up some of the chickpeas and leaning against the skillet. The chickpeas are topped with parsley leaves.
★★★★★

Chickpea Mushroom Marsala

This is a side view of a stack of quesadilla sliced. The quesadilla has chickpeas, jackfruit, and little pieces of cilantro. The stack is topped with a queso. The stack of quesadilla pieces are on a white plate on a white surface with a white background.

Vegan Buffalo Chickpea + Jackfruit Quesadillas

This is an overhead image of a shallow bowl with hot pink beetroot pasta topped with sautéed greens and a nutty mixture on top. A fork dips into the bowl and leans against the right side of the dish. Another bowl with pasta is to the top right corner of the image. A small bowl with nutty gremolata is to the top left corner of the image.

Almond Beetroot Pasta + Nutty Gremolata

This is an overhead image of a shallow bowl with pumpkin soup on a white counter. The soup is topped with sage leaves, pecans, and quinoa. A spoon is dipping into the soup to the left side of the bowl. Another bowl of soup is to the top left of the image.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup

Browse All
15 No bake desserts

Download my FREE No Bake Dessert Ebook!

As seen on:

Food Network
Shape
Men's Health
NBC
Kitchn
Glamour
  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Dairy Free
    • Vegan
    • Egg Free
    • Low Carb
    • Recipe Filter
  • Explore Resources
    • FAQ
    • My Baking Mixes
    • Cookbook
    • Shop Favorites
    • Web Stories
    • Meet Lindsay
Follow

@thetoastedpinenut

Accessibility

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact

© 2023 The Toasted Pine Nut
|
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital
Back to Top
116 shares