Animal Style Chip Dip
This Animal Style Chip Dip is an in-n-out inspired appetizer made with silky American cheese, chopped pickles, a sweet-tangy thousand island sauce, and lots of caramelized onions — perfect for scooping with chips or fries.
About This Animal Style Chip Dip Recipe
If you love Animal Style burgers, this dip is for you! It takes the most iconic elements — melty American cheese, sweet-tangy sauce, pickles, and griddled onions — and turns them into a warm, scoop-able chip dip. It’s rich, nostalgic, and people will be THRILLED when you bring to a party!
Why You’ll Love It
Inspired by classic Animal Style burgers
Creamy, smooth American cheese base
Sweet-tangy sauce
Loaded with sweet caramelized onions
Easy to make and perfect for entertaining
Ingredients You’ll Need
American cheese
Cream cheese
Whole milk
Butter
White onions
Olive oil
Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Sweet pickle relish
Dill pickle relish
Yellow mustard
White vinegar
Sugar (optional)
Dill pickles or Bread & Butter Pickles
Salt and black pepper
How to Make
Caramelize diced onions slowly in butter and olive oil until deeply golden and jammy. Stir together the Animal Style–inspired sauce and set aside. Melt cream cheese with milk over low heat, then whisk in American cheese until smooth and silky. Spread into a dish, top with sauce, pickles, and caramelized onions, and serve warm.
Tips for Success
Use American cheese for the smoothest melt
Keep the heat low when melting cheese to prevent breaking
Start with less milk — you can always thin it later
The dip thickens as it cools, so aim slightly loose while warm
Don’t rush the onions — they add most of the flavor
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. The onions and sauce can be made up to 3–4 days ahead. Reheat the cheese gently with a splash of milk before assembling.
Does this dip reheat well?
It does. Reheat slowly on the stove or microwave in short bursts, stirring often.
Can I use a different cheese?
American cheese works best for this recipe. Other cheeses may not melt as smoothly without additional stabilizers.
Is this spicy?
No — it’s rich and tangy, not spicy. You can add heat if desired.
What to Serve With
Ruffle chips or kettle chips
French fries or waffle fries
Soft pretzel bites
Toasted burger buns cut into wedges
More Recipes You’ll Love
Animal Style Chip Dip
This Animal Style Chip Dip takes everything you love about an In-N-Out burger and turns it into a rich, scoop-able appetizer — no meat required. A creamy American cheese base is layered with chopped dill pickles, a slightly sweetAnimal Style–inspired sauce, and a generous pile of buttery caramelized white onions. It’s indulgent, nostalgic, and meant to be eaten warm with sturdy chips.
Ingredients
- 3 jumbo white onions, finely diced (about 10 cups raw)
- 5 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2–4 tablespoons water, as needed (for deglazing)
- Yields about 2 cups caramelized onions
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 16 ounces deli American cheese, sliced or cubed
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup whole milk, plus more as needed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup finely chopped dill pickles, divided
- Ruffle chips, kettle chips, tortilla chips, or fries
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced onions and continue cooking 40-60 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until deeply golden, jammy, and sweet. *Don't rush this!
- If the pan begins to stick, add small splashes of water to deglaze and scrape up the browned bits.
- Remove from heat. You should have about 2 cups caramelized onions. Set aside.
- In a bowl, stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, dill pickle relish, white vinegar, yellow mustard, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, add the milk and softened cream cheese. Whisk until completely smooth.
- Add the American cheese a little at a time, whisking constantly, until melted and silky.
- Stir in butter and black pepper.
- If the dip feels too thick, add milk 1–2 tablespoons at a time until scoopable.
- Important: The dip will thicken as it cools, so it should look slightly looser than your final texture while hot.
- Pour into an 8x8-inch baking dish or a 9-inch shallow skillet.
- Spoon the Animal Style sauce evenly over the top (do not mix).
- Sprinkle the chopped pickles over the sauce.
- Pile the caramelized onions generously on top.
- Serve warm with chips or fries.
