Are you a fan of In-N-Out’s Flying Dutchman Burger? If so, you’re in good company. The internet is going wild with everyone’s version of this famous, veggie-packed burger. I wanted to give this recipe a BBQ-inspired twist, complete with my bestselling Beef Rub. 

If you’re looking for a lighter burger or trying to cut the carbs, you’ll want to give this recipe a shot. Serve it with homemade oven fries or chips, and you have a winning meal. 

Viral Flying Dutchman | Heath Riles BBQ

What is a Flying Dutchman? Simply put, a Flying Dutchman is a bunless burger made for onion lovers. Instead of a bun, the burger is sandwiched between two thick slices of cooked onion. Many people prefer this style of burger to lettuce-wrapped alternatives. It’s easy to see why! When grilled, the onions caramelize, giving your burger the best, savory flavor. Don’t just take my word for it; try this recipe for yourself and see what all the hype’s about.

The Ingredients

The Flying Dutchman uses simple ingredients that most have in their pantry. Here’s what you’ll need to add to your shopping cart. 

• Homemade burger sauce. One of the best parts of In-N-Out is their Animal sauce. Making your own version is fairly simple. The best replica combines mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, and Bear & Burton’s W Sauce.
• Heath Riles BBQ Beef Rub. This delicious rub isn’t just for beef. It adds great flavor to chicken, pork, fish, and even veggies. It contains the best blend of salt, pepper, garlic, and a few proprietary ingredients. 
• Onion slices. The secret to this burger is using thick, hearty onion slices. You’ll want to choose a large onion with a mild flavor. Vidalia onions or sweet yellow onions are great picks!
• Ground beef. This ingredient is flexible. Use whatever ratio of meat to fat you’d like. If you’re feeling fancy, choose ground Wagyu beef. 
• Cheese. You can’t have a good burger without cheese! Feel free to use your favorite options, such as Cheddar, smoked provolone, American, or Pepper Jack. 

The Smoker Setup

Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites are in the Equipment and Tools section. 

Flat Top Grill. I cooked these mind-blowing BBQ Sloppy Joes on the Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill. I love using this setup for quesadillas, tacos, and more! Pro Tip: Be sure to “season” your grill before using it! This step creates a slick, nonstick surface.

Cooking with a flat top is easy, especially when you know how to clean it! Check out the video to see my process for cleaning your Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill without much elbow grease. 

If you’re looking for an excellent flat top grill, try this one! With divided heat chambers, you can cook multiple things at once. It’s a beautiful addition to any outdoor kitchen! 

The Process for Making a Flying Dutchman

You’ll find a detailed demonstration of this recipe within the recipe card and video. Here’s a quick rundown of how I pulled these delicious Flying Dutchmans together. 

1. Fire up the grill. I fired up the Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill to medium-high. Then, I added a dollop of BaconUp Bacon Grease to season the griddle. 
2. Make the sauce. To make the Flying Dutchman sauce, I combined mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, Bear & Burton’s W Sauce, Heath Riles BBQ Beef Rub, and pickle relish in a small bowl. 
3. Cook the onions and burgers. Next, I cooked the onions. I laid them directly onto the Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill and sprinkled them with Heath Riles BBQ Beef Rub. I also started cooking the burgers. I set each ball of meat on the grill and laid parchment paper over the top. Then, I lightly pressed on the burgers, gently flattening them. I removed the parchment paper and garnished the meat with a dash of Heath Riles BBQ Beef Rub. 
4. Add cheese. I topped each burger patty with a slice of cheese, then squirted water around the grill. I shut the grill’s lid and let the steam melt the cheese. This fantastic, simple hack gives you the perfect gooey cheese every time. 
5. Garnish and serve. Once the cheese melted, I topped the burgers with a spoonful of my homemade burger sauce. I laid the patties on top of one of the onion slices, then took everything off the grill. The only thing left to do was dig in!

The Results

This unique twist on a burger was messy yet totally delicious. The cooked onions perfectly complemented the burgers. My version of “Animal Sauce” was the cherry on top of a fabulous meal. If you love hearty food, you’ll adore this recipe. 

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover Flying Dutchmans in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 4 months. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the sauce, as the texture wouldn’t be the same. 

Equipment and Tools

Heath Riles BBQ Butcher Paper, Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill, mixing bowls. Nechtik BBQ Gloves, metal spatula, disposable cutting board.