If you love the bold, juicy flavour of a Five Guys style burger but want something cheaper, quicker and just as indulgent at home, this recipe is for you. These fakeaway five guys burgers are everything you want in a comfort food classic. Soft buns, smashed patties, melty cheese, caramelised onions and that signature saucy, messy finish. This is the kind of dinner that feels like a treat night but is surprisingly easy to make.
Fakeaway five guys burgers are the ultimate indulgence you can make at home. Juicy smashed patties, melty cheese, caramelised onions, and soft buns recreate that iconic fast food experience. I love making them because they combine comfort, nostalgia, and flavour in every bite. Perfect for weekend dinners, movie nights, or casual gatherings, these burgers let you enjoy the Five Guys taste without the queue or the cost, and you can customise toppings freely.
This recipe was inspired by my spicy caramelised onion burgers but is more of a fakeaway style dish! Other burgers to try are my pepperoni pizza smashburgers or my Crispy Greek halloumi burgers for a vegetarian option.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Beef mince - This is the heart of your fakeaway five guys burgers. Using a mince with a little fat keeps the patties juicy, tender and flavourful when smashed and cooked quickly in a hot pan.
Mustard - Mustard adds a subtle tang that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese. It gives the burgers that classic diner style depth.
Paprika - Paprika brings gentle smokiness and warmth. I like using paprika because it adds colour and makes the patties look as good as they taste.
Oregano - Oregano adds a savoury, herby note that makes these fakeaway five guys burgers taste more complex and seasoned rather than flat.
Garlic granules - Garlic granules give a mellow, rounded garlic flavour without overpowering the beef. I love using granules as they blend evenly through the mince.
Cajun seasoning - This adds a mild kick and a savoury spice mix that gives your burgers that fast food style seasoning profile.
Salt and pepper - Essential for bringing all the flavours together and enhancing the natural taste of the beef.
Toppings
Brioche buns - Soft, lightly sweet brioche buns soak up the sauces and juices beautifully. They are key to nailing the fakeaway five guys burgers experience.
Fries - Whether homemade or oven baked, fries make this feel like a proper takeaway style meal. I love sprinkling them with extra cajun seasoning for more flavour.
Cheese slices - Cheese melts directly onto the hot patties, giving you that gooey, indulgent finish that fakeaway five guys burgers are known for.
Onions - Slowly caramelised onions bring sweetness and depth. They balance the saltiness of the beef and cheese perfectly.
Butter - Butter is used to cook the onions and gives them a rich, glossy finish.
Burger sauce - This adds creaminess, tang and that classic fast food flavour that ties the whole burger together.
Baby gem lettuce - Thinly sliced lettuce adds crunch and freshness to cut through the richness.
Gherkins - Gherkins give sharpness and acidity, making every bite balanced and moreish.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Jump to Recipe for quantities
- Step 1: Thinly slice the onions and add them to a pan over medium heat with butter and a pinch of salt. Cook gently, stirring occasionally for around an hour, until soft, golden and deeply caramelised. This takes time but it is worth it for perfect fakeaway five guys burgers. Add a small pinch of sugar at the end to boost their natural sweetness, then set aside.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, In a bowl, combine the beef mince with mustard, paprika, oregano, garlic granules, cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Divide into equal balls and keep them loose for a tender texture. Optionally add a square of parchment paper to the top for easier smashing. If you are making fries, start on them now too.
- Step 3: Once the caramelised onions are done, remove from the pan and add to a bowl. Place the balls into the hot pan and smash them down firmly to form thin patties. Cook the patties until the edges are crispy and the centres are cooked through. Flip them briefly, add a slice of cheese to each and cover the pan to let the cheese melt. Toast your buns.
- Step 4: Spread burger sauce onto the buns, then add gherkins, cheesy patties and a generous spoon of caramelised onions. Wrap the burgers in foil and place them into a hot oven for a few minutes so everything warms through and melts together.
Unwrap, add the sliced lettuce and serve immediately with seasoned fries.
Hint: Don’t rush caramelising onions. Low and slow gives sweetness and depth that balances rich patties perfectly.
Substitutions
Beef mince – Swap for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, or use plant-based mince for a vegetarian version that still holds together when smashed.
Mustard – Use Dijon for a sharper tang, or wholegrain mustard for texture and a slightly milder flavour.
Paprika – Replace with smoked paprika for a deeper, smokier flavour, or mild chili powder for a gentle heat.
Oregano – Try thyme for earthy notes or Italian herb mix for a slightly more aromatic profile.
Garlic granules – Substitute with fresh minced garlic for punchier flavour, or garlic powder if you want smoother incorporation.
Cajun seasoning – Use smoked chipotle powder for smokiness, or taco seasoning for a different spice twist.
Salt and pepper – Sea salt or kosher salt works for a cleaner finish, black pepper can be swapped for white pepper if you prefer a milder spice.
Brioche buns – Use potato rolls for softness or whole wheat buns for a healthier option.
Fries – Swap with sweet potato fries for sweetness, or baked parsnip fries for a seasonal twist.
Cheese slices – Use cheddar for sharper flavour, or plant-based cheese for vegan burgers.
Onions – Red onions give a sharper bite, or shallots for a sweeter, delicate flavour.
Butter – Swap with olive oil for a lighter option, or vegan butter for plant-based burgers.
Burger sauce – Use mayo mixed with a little ketchup and pickle relish, or aioli for a richer, garlicky alternative.
Baby gem lettuce – Replace with iceberg for extra crunch, or butter lettuce for a softer bite.
Gherkins – Use pickled cucumbers, pickled jalapeños for heat, or roasted red peppers for sweetness.
Variations
BBQ Bacon Fakeaway Five Guys Burger – Add crispy bacon and drizzle smoky BBQ sauce over the patties. Swap the cheese for smoked cheddar for an extra punch.
Spicy Jalapeño Fakeaway Five Guys Burger – Mix sliced jalapeños into your burger sauce and top with pepper jack cheese. Cajun seasoning on fries enhances the heat.
Veggie Fakeaway Five Guys Burger – Use plant-based patties, vegan cheese, and roasted red peppers instead of gherkins. Add avocado slices for creaminess and extra flavour.
Equipment
Storage
Fakeaway five guys burgers are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers carefully to preserve flavour and texture. Keep cooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Store buns separately to prevent them from becoming soggy. Caramelised onions can be stored in a small jar in the fridge for up to five days. Cheese slices should remain wrapped to avoid drying out. For assembled burgers, wrap each one tightly in foil and refrigerate, then reheat in a preheated oven at 180C for 10 minutes until warm.
Avoid microwaving fully assembled burgers as it can make the buns soggy and the lettuce limp. Fries are best reheated in the oven or air fryer for crispiness. For longer storage, freeze patties and onions separately; defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain flavour and texture for future fakeaway five guys burgers.
Top Tip
Toast your buns just before serving. Warm, slightly crisped buns hold sauces and juices without getting soggy, which is essential for authentic fakeaway five guys burgers.
FAQ
Yes, a burger can be slightly pink in the middle as long as it reaches 70C internally. This keeps it juicy and flavorful. Undercooked beef can be risky, so always check with a meat thermometer for safe fakeaway five guys burgers.
Cooked beef burgers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. Keep buns and toppings separate to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze patties and reheat thoroughly before serving fakeaway five guys style.
Yes, Five Guys famously salts their patties generously before cooking, giving each bite that signature savory, seasoned flavor. I recommend doing the same when making fakeaway five guys burgers at home for authentic taste.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Beef mince
For more beef mince recipes, try these:
Recipe
Fakeaway Five Guys Burgers
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- large pan
Ingredients
Patties
- 350 g 15-20% beef mince or use 500g and make a couple of extra patties
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Toppings
- 2 brioche buns
- Homemade or oven cook fries
- 1-2 teaspoon cajun seasoning for topping
- 4 cheese slices
- 2 onions
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon burger sauce
- Baby gem lettuce thinly sliced
- Gherkins
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Thinly slice the onions and add them to a pan over medium heat with butter and a pinch of salt. Cook gently, stirring occasionally for around an hour, until soft, golden and deeply caramelised. This takes time but it is worth it for perfect fakeaway five guys burgers. Add a small pinch of sugar at the end to boost their natural sweetness,and fry for 5 minutes more then set aside.2 onions, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon sugar
- Meanwhile, In a bowl, combine the beef mince with mustard, paprika, oregano, garlic granules, cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Divide into equal balls and keep them loose for a tender texture. Optionally add a square of parchment paper to the top for easier smashing. If you are making fries, start on them now too.350 g 15-20% beef mince, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic granules, 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning, Salt and pepper, Homemade or oven cook fries
- Once the caramelised onions are done, remove from the pan and add to a bowl. Place the balls into the hot pan and smash them down firmly to form thin patties. Cook the patties until the edges are crispy and the centres are cooked through. Flip them briefly, add a slice of cheese to each and cover the pan to let the cheese melt. Toast your buns.4 cheese slices
- Spread burger sauce onto the buns, then add gherkins, cheesy patties and a generous spoon of caramelised onions. Wrap the burgers in foil and place them into a hot oven for a few minutes so everything warms through and melts together.2 brioche buns, 2 tablespoon burger sauce, Baby gem lettuce, Gherkins
- Unwrap, add the sliced lettuce and serve immediately with cajun seasoned fries.1-2 teaspoon cajun seasoning for topping
