Copycat Fuddruckers Original Fudds Burger (At-Home Version)
If you’ve ever bitten into a juicy Fuddruckers burger and thought, “I wish I could make this at home,” you’re in the right place. Today I’m sharing a simple, family-friendly copycat recipe inspired by the Original Fudds Burger from Fuddruckers, designed for the home cook using easy-to-find ingredients and basic kitchen tools.A Little Background: Fuddruckers & The Iconic Original Fudds Burger
Fuddruckers has been around since the 1980s, known for its build-your-own-burger setup, warm bakery-style buns, and freshly ground beef. Walking into a Fuddruckers, you smell that toasty bread, hear burgers sizzling on the grill, and see a toppings bar full of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and all the sauces your burger-loving heart could want. The Original Fudds Burger is all about:- A big, juicy beef patty
- A soft, slightly sweet bun
- Classic American cheese
- Crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, crunchy pickles, and onion
- Simple sauces that let the beef flavor shine
Copycat Fuddruckers Original Fudds Burger Recipe
 |
| Copycat Fuddruckers Original Fudds Burger — juicy, cheesy, and stacked with fresh toppings just like your favorite restaurant version |
This recipe aims to capture the taste and experience of the Fuddruckers Original Fudds Burger using basic pantry ingredients and simple steps.
Recipe Overview
- Servings: 4 burgers
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
Approximate Nutrition (Per Burger, Including Bun & Cheese)
(These are estimates and will vary based on the ingredients you use.)- Calories: ~780
- Protein: ~38 g
- Fat: ~46 g
- Carbs: ~48 g
Ingredients
For the Burger Patties
- 2 lb ground beef, 80/20 (80% lean, 20% fat) — for juicy burgers
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional, for a touch of color and flavor)
For the Buns & Toppings
- 4 large hamburger buns, bakery-style or brioche
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for toasting buns)
- 4 slices American cheese (or your favorite melty cheese)
- 4 large leaves crisp lettuce (iceberg or romaine), washed and dried
- 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
- 1/2 small red or white onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 1/2 cup dill pickle chips
Simple Burger Sauce (Optional but Recommended)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 tsp pickle juice (from the pickle jar)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Simple Burger Sauce
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. If you like it tangier, add a little more pickle juice or mustard.
- Cover and chill in the fridge while you prepare the burgers. This helps the flavors blend.
Step 2: Season and Shape the Burger Patties
- In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Be careful not to over-mix. Overworking the meat can make your burgers dense.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a patty about 4–5 inches wide and slightly thinner in the center than around the edges. This helps the burger cook evenly and not puff up in the middle.
- Place the patties on a plate or tray, cover, and keep in the fridge while you prepare the toppings. Cold patties sear better.
Step 3: Prep the Toppings
- Wash and dry the lettuce.
- Slice the tomato into thick slices, about 1/4 inch.
- Slice the onion into thin rings.
- Set out the pickle chips and your prepared sauce.
Step 4: Toast the Buns
- Slice the burger buns if they’re not pre-sliced.
- Lightly spread the cut sides with softened butter.
- In a large skillet or on a griddle over medium heat, place the buns cut-side down.
- Toast until golden brown and slightly crisp, about 1–3 minutes. Watch closely so they don’t burn.
- Set aside on a plate.
Step 5: Cook the Burger Patties
You can cook these burgers on a stovetop skillet or an outdoor grill.- Heat a large skillet or grill over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface if needed.
- Once hot, add the burger patties.
- Cook for about 4–5 minutes per side for medium-well, or until they reach your desired doneness.
- During the last 1–2 minutes of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on each patty and cover the skillet or close the grill lid to help it melt.
- When done, transfer the burgers to a plate and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
Step 6: Build Your Copycat Fuddruckers Original Fudds Burger
Here’s a classic order to stack your burger, similar to the “build-your-own” feel of Fuddruckers:- Bottom bun
- Spread a spoonful of the burger sauce
- Lettuce leaf
- Tomato slice
- Cheeseburger patty
- Onion rings
- Pickle chips
- Additional sauce, if you like it saucy
- Top bun
Even Easier: Time-Saving & Tool-Friendly Options
If you’re short on time or don’t want to fuss with a grill, here are a few ideas.Air Fryer Burger Patties
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
- Place shaped patties in a single layer in the basket (don’t overcrowd).
- Cook for 7–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- During the last minute, add cheese and let it melt.
Sheet Pan Burgers (Oven Method)
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place patties on a lightly greased sheet pan.
- Bake for about 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach 160°F.
- Add cheese during the last couple of minutes so it melts.
Shortcut Ingredient Swaps
- Use store-bought burger sauce or your favorite dressing if you don’t want to mix your own.
- Pick up pre-sliced veggies from the grocery store salad bar for zero chopping.
- Use pre-formed burger patties to skip the shaping step (season both sides before cooking).
Allergy-Friendly & Special Diet Modifications
Everyone should be able to enjoy a good burger. Here are some easy tweaks.Gluten-Free Option
- Use gluten-free burger buns or wrap your burger in lettuce.
- Check your ketchup, mustard, pickles, and sauces to be sure they are certified gluten-free.
Dairy-Free Option
- Skip the cheese or use dairy-free cheese slices.
- Use a dairy-free butter substitute or oil for toasting the buns.
- Confirm your mayo is dairy-free (most classic mayo is, but always check labels).
Vegan Option
- Use plant-based burger patties instead of ground beef.
- Use vegan cheese slices and vegan mayo.
- Choose vegan buns (some brioche-style buns contain eggs or dairy).
Paleo / Low-Carb Option
- Use a lettuce wrap instead of a bun.
- Skip the cheese if strict paleo, or use it if you’re just low-carb and dairy-tolerant.
- Make a paleo-friendly sauce by mixing avocado oil mayo with mustard and compliant ketchup or a little hot sauce.
Tips for the Best Copycat Fuddruckers Burger at Home
- Don’t overwork the meat: Gentle mixing keeps your burgers tender and juicy.
- Make the patties bigger than the bun: They shrink as they cook, so start slightly wider than your buns.
- Toast the buns: That golden, buttery crust makes a huge difference in flavor and texture.
- Layer smart: Lettuce on the bottom helps keep the bun from getting soggy.
Tell Me How Your Copycat Fudds Burger Turned Out!
Did you try this copycat Fuddruckers Original Fudds Burger recipe? Did you go classic, or did you load it up with extra toppings? I’d love to hear:- How you cooked your patties (stovetop, grill, air fryer)
- Any fun twists you added (bacon, jalapeños, extra cheese)
- How close you think it tastes to your favorite Fuddruckers burger
- Share this recipe with a friend who loves Fuddruckers.
- Leave a comment with your tips, questions, or tweaks.
- Rate the recipe if you found it helpful.
Disclaimers
- This recipe is a homemade copycat-style version inspired by the Fuddruckers Original Fudds Burger. It is not the official recipe, and we do not claim any association with or endorsement by Fuddruckers. All trademarks and names are property of their respective owners.
- All nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on the exact products and portion sizes you use.
- Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon Associate and may earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
Comments
Post a Comment