Animal Style Burger Taquitos

In-N-Out Inspired Low-Carb Dinner

If you love the flavors of an Animal Style burger, you are going to love these Animal Style Burger Taquitos.

They are filled with mustard-seasoned ground beef, rolled in low-carb tortillas, and topped with melted cheese, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce, and a creamy Animal Style sauce made with Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and dill relish.

This easy dinner combines the flavor of an In-N-Out-inspired cheeseburger with the fun, family-friendly shape of a taquito. It is perfect for busy weeknights, game-day food, or any night when you want a comforting meal without making traditional burgers.

These taquitos can also fit into a Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle as a THM S meal when you use an on-plan low-carb tortilla and appropriate condiments.

What Are Animal Style Burger Taquitos?

Animal Style is a popular burger preparation made famous by In-N-Out. It usually includes mustard-cooked beef, grilled onions, cheese, pickles, and a creamy special sauce.

These Animal Style Burger Taquitos take those familiar flavors and turn them into an easy rolled-tortilla dinner.

The ground beef is seasoned and cooked with yellow mustard, then rolled inside taco-size or fajita-size tortillas. After cooking, the taquitos are topped with cheese, lettuce, browned onions, and creamy burger sauce. You can air fry them or cook them for a few minutes in a little oil in a skillet.

You get the flavor of a loaded cheeseburger in every bite, but no burger buns are needed.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It is an easy family dinner

The ingredients are simple, familiar, and easy to find at most grocery stores.

It has classic cheeseburger flavor

Mustard-seasoned beef, melted cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, relish, and burger sauce give these taquitos an unmistakable Animal Style flavor.

It is easy to customize

Use taco-size or fajita-size tortillas, adjust the toppings, and make the sauce as tangy or sweet as your family prefers.

It is lower in carbohydrates

Using low-carb tortillas makes this a satisfying alternative to traditional burgers and taquitos.

It works well for meal prep

The ground beef, onions, and sauce can all be prepared ahead of time.

Ingredients for Animal Style Burger Taquitos

For the taquitos

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Garlic powder, to taste
• Onion powder, to taste
• Yellow mustard, for cooking with the beef
• 8 to 14 low-carb tortillas
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cooking spray, if needed

The number of taquitos will depend on the size of your tortillas and how much you stuff each tortilla.

For the grilled onions

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil
• Pinch of salt

For the Animal Style sauce

• 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 to 3 tablespoons dill relish
• 2 tablespoons no-sugar-added ketchup
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• Sweetener to taste, optional

For serving

• Shredded lettuce
• Additional shredded cheese, if desired
• Grilled onions
• Animal Style sauce
• Extra dill relish or pickles, optional

How to Make Animal Style Burger Taquitos

Step 1: Cook the onions

Heat the butter or oil in a skillet over medium to medium-low heat.

Add the sliced onion and a small pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, browned, and caramelized.

This can take 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the heat and how thinly the onions are sliced.

Remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside.

Step 2: Cook the mustard-seasoned ground beef

Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium heat.

Season it with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Break the beef into small pieces as it cooks. Drizzle yellow mustard over the meat and stir it into the beef.

Continue cooking until the ground beef is fully browned and no pink remains.

Drain excess grease, if needed.

Step 3: Make the Animal Style sauce

Add the nonfat Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, dill relish, no-sugar-added ketchup, and yellow mustard to a small bowl.

Stir until everything is evenly combined.

Taste the sauce and add sweetener if you prefer a slightly sweeter burger sauce.

You can also add another spoonful of relish for more pickle flavor.

Cover and refrigerate the sauce until you are ready to serve.

Step 4: Assemble the taquitos

Warm the tortillas briefly so they are flexible and easier to roll.

Add a small portion of the cooked ground beef near one edge of each tortilla.

Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling.

Place each rolled taquito seam-side down so it stays closed.

Do not overfill the tortillas. A moderate amount of meat will make them easier to roll and keep them from splitting.

Step 5: Cook the taquitos

Cook the taquitos in the air fryer, oven, or skillet until the tortillas are lightly browned and the filling is hot.

For an air fryer, lightly spray the taquitos with cooking spray and arrange them seam-side down. Cook at approximately 375°F until lightly browned, checking often because air fryers can vary.

For the oven, place them seam-side down on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F until warmed through and lightly toasted.

You can also brown them carefully in a skillet, turning as needed.

Top them with shredded cheddar cheese.

Return them briefly to the oven or air fryer if needed to melt the cheese.

Step 6: Add the Animal Style toppings

Place the cooked taquitos on a serving plate or over a bed of shredded lettuce.

Finish with caramelized onions and a generous drizzle of Animal Style sauce.

Serve immediately.

What Does Animal Style Mean?

Animal Style refers to a popular off-menu preparation associated with In-N-Out Burger.

An Animal Style burger typically includes:

• Beef cooked with mustard
• Grilled onions
• Cheese
• Pickles
• Lettuce
• Special burger sauce

These taquitos use those same flavors in a fun, rolled-tortilla recipe.

How Many Taquitos Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe makes approximately 8 to 14 Animal Style Burger Taquitos.

The final number depends on the size of the tortillas and how much filling you add to each one.

Taco-size tortillas will generally make more taquitos. Fajita-size tortillas are a little smaller and you should get more.

Can I Make Animal Style Taquitos in the Air Fryer?

Yes. The air fryer is a convenient way to heat and lightly toast the tortillas.

Arrange the taquitos seam-side down in the basket and leave a little space between them. Lightly spray the outside with cooking spray if desired.

Cook at approximately 375°F until the tortillas are lightly browned and the filling is hot.

Watch them closely near the end because low-carb tortillas can brown quickly.

Can I Bake These Taquitos?

Yes. Arrange the rolled taquitos seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Lightly spray them with cooking spray and bake at 400°F until the tortillas are lightly toasted and the filling is heated through.

Add the shredded cheese near the end of the baking time so it can melt over the tops.

Tips for Making the Best Animal Style Taquitos

Warm the tortillas first

Low-carb tortillas are less likely to crack when they are warm and flexible.

Do not overfill them

Too much ground beef can make the taquitos difficult to roll and may cause the tortillas to split.

Drain the ground beef

Removing excess grease helps keep the tortillas from becoming soggy.

Cook the onions slowly

Slowly browned onions create the sweet, savory flavor that makes these taquitos taste more like an Animal Style burger.

Keep the sauce separate until serving

Adding the sauce after cooking helps the tortillas keep their texture.

Adjust the relish to taste

Use two tablespoons for a milder pickle flavor or three tablespoons for a tangier sauce.

What to Serve with Animal Style Burger Taquitos

These taquitos can be served with:

• A large green salad
• Air-fried zucchini
• Roasted broccoli
• Green beans
• Dill pickles
• Extra shredded lettuce
• Air-fried potatoes
• Loaded potato wedges
• Extra Animal Style sauce

For a classic burger-and-fries-inspired dinner, serve them with seasoned potatoes.

For a lower-carb meal, pair them with salad or non-starchy vegetables.

Are Animal Style Burger Taquitos THM-Friendly?

These Animal Style Burger Taquitos can be served as a THM S meal when you use an on-plan low-carb tortilla and sugar-free or no-sugar-added condiments.

The ground beef, cheese, mayonnaise, and toppings make this a satisfying S-style meal.

To keep the meal in S territory, serve the taquitos with:

• Salad
• Broccoli
• Green beans
• Zucchini
• Cauliflower
• Other non-starchy vegetables

Serving them with a larger portion of potatoes would likely turn the meal into a crossover.

Always choose tortillas and condiments that work with your personal Trim Healthy Mama plan.

Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Ground Beef?

Yes. Ground turkey can be used in place of ground beef.

Because turkey is leaner and milder, season it generously and be careful not to overcook it.

Ground chicken may also work, although the final flavor will be less like a traditional burger.

Can I Make These Ahead of Time?

Yes. Several parts of the recipe can be prepared ahead.

You can:

• Cook the ground beef
• Caramelize the onions
• Prepare the Animal Style sauce
• Shred the cheese
• Wash and shred the lettuce

Store each component separately in the refrigerator.

For the best texture, roll and cook the taquitos shortly before serving.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Store the sauce, lettuce, and onions separately whenever possible.

Keeping the toppings separate helps the tortillas hold their texture.

How to Reheat Animal Style Taquitos

Reheat the taquitos in the air fryer at approximately 350°F until warmed through.

You can also reheat them in the oven.

The microwave will work, but the tortillas will be softer.

Add fresh lettuce, onions, and sauce after reheating.

Animal Style Burger Taquitos Recipe

Ingredients

Taquitos

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Garlic powder, to taste
• Onion powder, to taste
• Yellow mustard, to taste
• 8 to 14 low-carb taco-size or fajita-size tortillas
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cooking spray, if needed

Grilled onions

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil
• Pinch of salt

Animal Style sauce

• 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 to 3 tablespoons dill relish
• 2 tablespoons no-sugar-added ketchup
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• Sweetener to taste, optional

Toppings

• Shredded lettuce
• Grilled onions
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Animal Style sauce
• Additional relish or pickles, optional

Instructions

1. Heat the butter or oil in a skillet over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Add the sliced onion and a pinch of salt.
3. Cook the onion slowly, stirring occasionally, until softened and browned. Remove it from the skillet and set aside.
4. Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium heat.
5. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
6. Break the beef into small pieces as it cooks.
7. Drizzle yellow mustard over the beef and stir it into the meat.
8. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
9. To prepare the sauce, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, dill relish, ketchup, mustard, and optional sweetener in a small bowl.
10. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until serving.
11. Warm the tortillas briefly so they are flexible.
12. Add a portion of the ground beef near one edge of each tortilla.
13. Roll each tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down.
14. Cook the taquitos in an air fryer at approximately 375°F, in a 400°F oven, or in a skillet until the tortillas are lightly browned and the filling is hot.
15. Place the cooked taquitos on a bed of shredded lettuce.
16. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
17. Return them briefly to the oven or air fryer if needed to melt the cheese.
18. Add caramelized onions and drizzle with Animal Style sauce.
19. Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe makes approximately 10 to 14 taquitos, depending on the size of the tortillas.

Taco-size tortillas generally produce more taquitos than fajita-size tortillas.

Use two tablespoons of dill relish for a milder sauce or three tablespoons for more pickle flavor.

Add sweetener only if you prefer a sweeter burger sauce.

Cooking times will vary depending on the size and brand of tortilla and the appliance used.

Final Thoughts

These Animal Style Burger Taquitos are a fun way to turn cheeseburger night into something new.

The mustard-seasoned beef, melted cheese, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce, and creamy burger sauce create all the flavors you expect from an Animal Style burger.

They are easy enough for a weeknight dinner, fun enough for game day, and simple to adjust for different tortilla sizes and family preferences.

Serve them with extra sauce and your favorite burger-night side dish for a meal the whole family can enjoy.

SEO Information

SEO title:
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Focus keyphrase:
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Secondary keyphrases:

• In-N-Out inspired taquitos
• Animal Style burger recipe
• Low-carb cheeseburger taquitos
• High-protein taquitos
• THM S dinner
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• Cheeseburger taquitos
• Animal Style sauce

Print Pin

Animal Style In and Out Taquitos: Low Carb THM S

Animal Style Burger Taquitos are filled with mustard-seasoned ground beef and topped with melted cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, and a creamy Greek-yogurt burger sauce.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Diabetic

Keyword Animal Style In and Out,, Low Carb dinner,

Servings 4

Author Jennifer Overstreet

Ingredients

• 1 Lb Lean ground beef
• 2 T Mustard
• 1 t Salt
• 1/2 t Pepper
• 1 t Onion Powder
• 1 t Worcestershire, optional
• 1 Lrg Onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 C Non-fat Greek Yogurt
• 2 T Mayo
• 1 t Mustard
• 2 T Sugar-free ketchup
• 2-3 T Dill Relish
• Low Carb Tortillas Small, taco or fajita size. That makes them easier to hold

Instructions

• Brown ground beef. Add seasonings and mustard.
  
• Divide meat among the tortillas. Fill as full as you want. You could end up with 14.
  
• Yo9u can add cheese now or on top. Roll the tortillas.
  
• If air frying or baking, spray with a little non-stick spray. Bake or air fry at 375 for about 5 minutes, or until lightly brown. Add cheese now and if needed return to the air fryer or oven. For a better result you can fry in a little oil.
  
• While the taquitos bake, make onions. In a large skillet add fat of choice. Heat skillet over medium and start cooking onions. Once they start to get brown, lower the heat. Let them cook until browned. Stir a lot, the closer they get to being done.
  
• This what mine looked like when I took them off the heat.
  
• Add your sauce ingredients to a small bowl. Stir. Taste. Add more of anything you think it needs. If you think it needs more sweetener, add a little at a time.
  
• Serve as desired.