✔ Published · new copycat recipe with grill and stovetop options
This copycat Burger King Whopper Jr. is the little sibling of the classic: a thin, charred beef patty with mayo, ketchup, pickles, onion, tomato and lettuce on a sesame bun. One pound of beef makes 6 happy burgers!
What Is on a Whopper Jr.? (Quick Answer)
A Whopper Jr. is a smaller Whopper: a thin flame-grilled beef patty on a sesame bun with mayo, ketchup, pickles, white onion, tomato and lettuce. To make a copycat, press 1 pound of 80/20 beef into 6 thin patties, grill them over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side until 160°F (71°C), and build them on toasted 4-inch sesame buns.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Press the patties thin and a little wider than the bun, because they shrink on the grill. A thin patty over high heat gets those gorgeous char marks and hits 160°F before it has a chance to dry out.
Why You'll Love This Whopper Jr. Copycat
- Kid-sized and quick: the patties grill in about 5 minutes.
- Real flame-grilled flavor from a hot grill or grill pan.
- Budget-friendly: one pound of beef makes 6 burgers.
- The classic topping order, so every bite tastes like the drive-thru.
- Easy to scale for parties and sliders.
Whopper vs. Whopper Jr.
Both burgers share the same toppings and flame-grilled flavor; the Jr. is simply smaller. If you want the full-size version, follow our copycat Burger King Whopper recipe, which uses 4-ounce patties on 5-inch buns.
| Whopper Jr. (this recipe) | Whopper | |
|---|---|---|
| Beef per patty | About 2 2/3 oz | 4 oz |
| Bun | Regular 4-inch sesame bun | Large 5-inch sesame bun |
| Burgers per pound | 6 | 4 |
| Calories (this copycat) | About 340 | About 630 |
| Toppings | Mayo, ketchup, pickles, onion, tomato, lettuce | The same |
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use 80/20 beef. I always reach for 80/20 here. The fat keeps thin patties juicy over high heat. Leaner beef dries out fast.
- Dimple the center. A little thumbprint keeps the patty flat instead of puffing into a meatball.
- Don't press on the grill. Squashing the patties pushes out all the good juices. Flip once and leave them be!
- Check the temperature. Ground beef is safe at 160°F (71°C). Thin patties get there fast, so start checking after 2 minutes per side.
- Build in order. This is how I stack mine: ketchup, pickles and onion on the hot patty, then tomato and lettuce, with mayo on the top bun, keeps the cool toppings crisp and fresh.
Copycat Burger King Whopper Jr.
6
burgers15
minutes10
minutes340
kcal25
minutesA copycat-style Whopper Jr.: 1 pound of 80/20 ground beef pressed into 6 thin patties, grilled over high heat until charred and 160°F inside, then stacked on toasted 4-inch sesame buns with ketchup, pickles, onion, tomato, lettuce and mayo. Makes 6 burgers.
Ingredients
- Patties
1 pound ground beef, 80/20
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for the grill grates
- Buns and Toppings
6 regular sesame seed hamburger buns (about 4 inches wide)
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
12 dill pickle chips
1/4 white onion, sliced into thin rings
2 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
Directions
- Prep
- Slice the onion and tomatoes, shred the lettuce and set out the pickles, mayonnaise and ketchup.
- Divide the beef into 6 portions of about 2 2/3 ounces. Press each between parchment into a thin patty about 4 1/2 inches wide, slightly wider than the bun, with a small dimple in the center. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Grill
- Heat a grill to high (450 to 500°F) and oil the grates, or heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them for 30 to 60 seconds until lightly golden.
- Grill the patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until charred with grill marks and cooked through to 160°F (71°C) in the center.
- Assemble
- Set a patty on each bottom bun. Add a little ketchup, 2 pickle chips, a few onion rings, 2 tomato slices and some lettuce.
- Spread about 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise on each top bun, close the burgers and serve right away.
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Grill, Grill Pan or Skillet
| Method | Heat | Time per side | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor grill | High, 450 to 500°F | 2 to 3 min | Best charred, flame-grilled flavor |
| Cast-iron grill pan | Medium-high | 2 to 3 min | Grill marks; open a window |
| Skillet | Medium-high | 2 to 3 min | Add a drop of liquid smoke to the beef |
| All methods | Cook to 160°F (71°C) in the center |
More Burger King Copycat Recipes
Hungrier? Make the full-size Burger King Whopper. Round out the meal with Burger King onion rings and zesty sauce, or chicken nuggets for the kids. Prefer chicken? I make our copycat Burger King Chicken Jr. for the same price-friendly, kid-size bite.
Browse all our Burger King copycat recipes for the full menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Whopper and a Whopper Jr.?
The Whopper Jr. is a smaller version with a thinner patty on a regular-size sesame bun, with the same toppings: mayo, ketchup, pickles, onion, tomato and lettuce. For the full-size burger, see our copycat Whopper recipe.
How big is a Whopper Jr. patty?
For this copycat, 1 pound of beef makes 6 patties of about 2 2/3 ounces, pressed about 4 1/2 inches wide so they fit 4-inch buns after shrinking.
What temperature should the burgers reach?
Cook ground beef patties to 160°F (71°C) in the center, checked with an instant-read thermometer.
Can I make Whopper Jr. burgers without a grill?
Yes. Use a cast-iron grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side. A few drops of liquid smoke in the beef add a grilled flavor.
Can I add cheese?
Yes. Lay a slice of American cheese on each patty during the last 30 seconds of grilling and close the grill lid to melt it.
Can I make the patties ahead?
Shape the patties up to 1 day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge with parchment between them, or freeze them for up to 3 months and grill from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes per side.
