Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (2024)

ByDonna Elick

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Use our Maid Rite recipe to create a loose meat sandwich that tastes just like the restaurant original! Each ground beef sandwich may look like a sloppy joe, but it tastes nothing like one. The flavor is so much better, and with our recipe, you can make them at home!!

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (1)

This loose meat sandwich recipe may seem simple, but trust me — there’s something special about these sandwiches. They’re easy to make and irresistibly scrumptious!

Maid Rite Recipe

If you live in the Midwest, you may already be familiar with Iowa’s famous Maid-Rite restaurant franchise.

They’re best known for their loose meat sandwich — perfectly seasoned ground beef served on a warm, slightly sweet bun with pickles and diced onion.

My husband and his family grew up enjoying the Maid Rite sandwich, so I wanted to create a homemade version.

After a lot of trial and error, I came up with this crockpot loose meat sandwich recipe. Trust me, this one is a keeper!!

For a delicious twist on a ground beef sandwich, make a batch of burger bombs. They’re made with frozen dinner roll dough — the perfect game-day food!

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How to Make a Maid Rite Sandwich

At the restaurant, the ground beef is prepared in very large pots. But for this recipe, you’ll be using a crock pot.

RECIPE VIDEO

Watch the video in this post to see us make this Maid Rite recipe from start to finish!

  1. Slow cook the ground beef.

    Combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker, then cover and cook on High for 1 hour.

    Remove the lid, then continue cooking for 2-3 hours, or until most of the liquid is gone.

  2. Assemble the sandwich.

    The classic Maid Rite sandwich is served on a steamed bun. If you have a steamer, you can use that. Otherwise, warm or toast the buns.

    Scoop the seasoned ground beef onto the bread. Use a slotted spoon, otherwise the liquid will make the buns too soggy.

  3. Add your favorite toppings.

    At Maid-Rite, you can order a “Cheese-Rite,” which is the original loose meat sandwich topped with cheddar cheese, onion, and pickles.

    Other popular toppings at the restaurant are jalapenos, BBQ sauce, and cheddar cheese sauce.

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Serving Suggestions

Pair this Maid Rite recipe with any of your favorite cookout or picnic side dishes.

You can’t go wrong with a side of corn (which Iowa is also famous for) or a side of French fries.

If you’re feeding a crowd, skip the fries and whip up some potato salad or crockpot baked beans with bacon instead.

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Loose Meat Sandwich Recipe FAQ

What is the difference between a Sloppy Joe and a loose meat sandwich?

While both are made with seasoned ground beef, Sloppy Joes feature a rich tomato-based sauce.

The meat mixture is slightly sweet and often enjoyed without additional toppings.

Loose meat sandwiches like Maid Rites, on the other hand, have no sauce at all. The meat has a bold beefy flavor, and the sandwich comes with pickles and diced onion on top.

How do you reheat Maid Rite sandwiches?

Allow the meat to cool, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend storing the assembled sandwiches, because the buns will become soggy.

Reheat the meat in the microwave or in a pot on the stovetop, adding a splash of liquid as needed to keep the meat moist.

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Prep Ahead Instructions

This Maid Rite recipe is perfect for meal prep! Toss everything in the crockpot and let it cook for a few hours while you go about your day.

If needed, you could also cook the meat ahead of time and reheat it later. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

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Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (11)

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video

Donna Elick

Use our Maid Rite recipe to create a loose meat sandwich that tastes just like the restaurant original! Maid Rites are a childhood favorite.

5 stars from 6 reviews

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Method Slow Cooker

Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon low sodium beef base, or a bouillon cube
  • 1 teaspoon low sodium chicken base, or a bouillon cube
  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 pounds lean ground beef

For Serving

  • 8 hamburger buns

Optional Toppings

  • cheese
  • pickles
  • diced onion
  • ketchup

Instructions

  • Set slow cooker to high. Add all ingredients except ground beef and stir to combine. Add beef and stir again; be sure beef is completely coated.

  • Cover slow cooker and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to break up ground beef.

    After 1 hour of cook time, remove lid and continue cooking on high for 2 ½ – 3 hours, until most of the liquid has cooked off. Continue to stir occasionally and break up any chunks of beef.

  • Using a slotted spoon, serve a heaping spoonful on a warm bun and load it up with your favorite toppings. We love cheese, ketchup and pickles!

  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Donna’s Notes

  • To make this recipe JUST like the Maid Rite restaurant does, steam the hamburger buns before you load them up with loose meat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 373cal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 574mg | Sugar: 7g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 6mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (13)

Originally published April 2014, updated and republished June 2023

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate linkyour price will remain the sameand The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it allows us to keep creating new recipes.

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Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (2024)

FAQs

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video? ›

Though they are sometimes confused, they are not the same thing. Sloppy joes typically have a seasoned tomato sauce whereas a maid-rite is seasoned, but doesn't have a sauce. Depending on where they're from, people also refer to these as tavern sandwiches, Big T sandwiches or simply a ground beef sandwich.

What's the difference between a Maid-Rite sandwich and a sloppy joe? ›

Though they are sometimes confused, they are not the same thing. Sloppy joes typically have a seasoned tomato sauce whereas a maid-rite is seasoned, but doesn't have a sauce. Depending on where they're from, people also refer to these as tavern sandwiches, Big T sandwiches or simply a ground beef sandwich.

Is a loose meat sandwich the same as a Sloppy Joe? ›

Other Variations Of Sloppy Joes

From a certain viewpoint, you could consider a sloppy joe just a saucy take on the loose meat sandwich, which is ground beef combined with Worcestershire sauce and onions. If you find a traditional sloppy joe too saucy, then try a meaty sloppy joe recipe.

What state is famous for loose meat sandwiches? ›

Don't tell that to your friends from Iowa, or at least from the parts of Iowa where this un-ironically deconstructed creation has been a part of life since the 1920's, when—as local lore has it—a Sioux City tavern owner invented something like it, calling it a tavern sandwich.

What is the fancy name for sloppy joes? ›

Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, tavern sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known however is Manwich.

What do people in Wisconsin call sloppy joes? ›

How "hot tamale" became the name for sloppy Joes in these Wisconsin communities is so far a mystery. The name was solidified through decades of Sheboygan and Manitowoc school lunch menus, though "sloppy Joe" has come into use now.

What is another name for a loose meat sandwich? ›

You call them Maid-Rites, after the ubiquitous Maid-Rite chain of restaurants that claims to have invented them. You might call them tavern sandwiches. Or just plain old loose meats.

What is a loose meat sandwich called? ›

Depending on where you are in the Midwest, the sandwich can be called a Nu-Way, Steamer, Big T, loose hamburger sandwich, tavern sandwich, or just a Maid Rite. Since the 1920s, it has been made with sautéed (sometimes steamed) ground beef and onions, served on a bun and dressed up with ketchup, mustard, and pickles.

What is the famous loose meat sandwich in Iowa? ›

Maid-Rite. Maid-Rite might be a popular colloquial name for a finely-ground loose-meat sandwich, but the only official Maid-Rites are sold at one of around 30 eateries — 17 of which are in Iowa, along with corporate headquarters.

What is the most ordered sandwich in America? ›

America's top sandwich is the grilled cheese, according to the results of a YouGov survey that asked a representative sample of 1,223 people to weigh in on their top sandwich choice.

What is the most eaten sandwich in America? ›

What's America's favorite sandwich? More cheese, please. Grilled cheese, according to the data which revealed that 79 percent of people either "like" or "somewhat like" the ooey-gooey sandwich. That's no surprise, given that it's one of the most classic comfort foods.

What sandwich is Tennessee known for? ›

TENNESSEE: A Fluffernutter

Sink your teeth into Elvis Presley's favorite sandwich, made with peanut butter, banana, and bacon. Just be careful — the mix of salty, sweet, and savory is highly addictive.

What is the oldest sandwich shop in America? ›

Despite living in New York City for almost three years now, I've never been to Katz's Delicatessen. The famous deli, which opened its doors in 1888, is known as the oldest deli in New York and arguably the most famous deli in the entire country.

Who sold the first sandwich? ›

In 1762, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich®, invented the meal that changed dining forever. As the story goes, he was playing cards and did not want to leave the gaming table to eat. He asked for a serving of roast beef to be placed between two slices of bread so he could eat with his hands.

When was the first sandwich made in America? ›

The first sandwich was finally featured in an American cookbook in 1815. It wasn't the type of sandwich we typically eat today, but was actually a tongue sandwich. Americans really started to step up their sandwich game during the Great Depression, when sandwiches like the iconic Po'Boy were created in New Orleans.

What is the New Jersey version of Sloppy Joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

What are Sloppy Joes called in iowa? ›

The Wichita, Kansas-based chain Nu Way Cafe serves a version of the tavern/loose meat sandwich called a "Nu Way". In Illinois, the sandwich is also known as a "loose hamburger sandwich". In Iowa, it is sometimes referred to as a Maid-Rite.

What exactly is a sloppy joe? ›

A Sloppy Joe is a sandwich consisting of ground beef and onions in a tomato-based sauce served on a hamburger bun. The sandwich likely originated in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s. According to legend, the "loose meat sandwich" was the creation of a cook named Joe.

What is a sloppy joe sandwich? ›

At its core, the Sloppy Joe consists of three basic elements — ground beef, tossed with a sweet, tomato-rich sauce (made with ketchup, chili sauce, or actual tomato sauce), and piled on a squishy white bun.

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