Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (2024)

ByDonna Elick

225 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read mydisclosure policy.

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!

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (2)

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 5 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

What is the original Maid-Rite? ›

Fred Angell was a butcher in Muscatine, Iowa, who combined a special cut and grind of meat with a selected set of spices and created the Maid-Rite sandwich, which is not a traditional hamburger. Rather, it is called a "loose meat" sandwich.

What is the famous loose meat sandwich in Iowa? ›

Iowa's loose-meat sandwich — perhaps second only to the pork tenderloin as the state's most famous culinary concoction between two buns — is known as a Maid-Rite after the brand of franchise restaurants that sell the sandwich.

What is a loose meat sandwich made of? ›

Add ground beef and cook until brown. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder and beef broth to cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until broth is gone, 15 to 30 minutes. Serve meat on buns topped with dill pickle slices and mustard.

Where did the loose meat sandwich come from? ›

Carroll Dietz of Missoula, Montana, created the precursor to the tavern sandwich in 1920, referred to as a "steamed hamburger." In 1926, Fred Angell began selling his version of the sandwich at the first Maid-Rite restaurant in Muscatine, Iowa, under the name "loose meat sandwich." The name "tavern" for the sandwich is ...

What is another name for maid rites? ›

Depending on where they're from, people also refer to these as tavern sandwiches, Big T sandwiches or simply a ground beef sandwich. Why is it called a Maid Rite?

How did Maid-Rite get its name? ›

from Muscatine, Fred Angell, who created the Maid-Rite and opened the first store in 1926. As the legend goes, inspiration for the name came from a deliveryman who was asked to taste the new sandwich. After a few bites, the man replied, "You know, OUR IOWA Page 2 Fred, this sandwich is just made right."

What is a loose-meat sandwich from Roseanne? ›

— tonight, on ABC), when Roseanne, Jackie and crew opened up a small restaurant in their Illinois town, calling it the Lanford Lunch Box. Their specialty? These simple sandwiches — crumbled, cooked ground beef, onion, and little else besides salt and pepper, scooped up and piled high on a hamburger bun.

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 difference between a Maid-Rite and a canteen? ›

The canteen sandwich (or locally, “Canteen”) is a loose-meat sandwich resembling that of a “Maid-Rite” or “Sloppy Joe”; however, it is seasoned differently and served more similarly to a hamburger with condiments like pickles, ketchup and mustard. A cheese sauce can be added for a small additional charge.

What is the unhealthiest sandwich meat? ›

“Fatty, processed luncheon meats like bologna, salami and pepperoni have large amounts of saturated fat and sodium, both of which have been linked to cancer, obesity and heart disease,” Zumpano shares. In fact, processed meats are actually considered carcinogenic.

What is the difference between a hamburger and a loose meat sandwich? ›

It's served on a bun with mustard and pickles, but the difference lies in the preparation of the beef. Instead of a standard patty, ground beef is crumbled and steamed with nothing but salt added. Much of the fat drains off and you are left with a lean pile of pebbled beef.

What to serve with Maid-Rites? ›

Whether you like coleslaw, macaroni salad, veggies or French fries – I've some of the best Maid Rite or Sloppy Joe side dishes to get a tasty dinner on the table for your family in no time.

What is the difference between a tavern and a Sloppy Joe? ›

When people ask me this question, I always like to say "A tavern is like a cousin to the Sloppy Joe." Simply put, it's a sandwich made with ground beef and sautéed onions served on a bun usually topped with ketchup, mustard and/or pickles. Technically it's like a Sloppy Joe without the tomato-based sauce.

Why is the sandwich called a Sloppy Joe? ›

Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where, many years ago, in 1930 a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Voila: a new between-the-bread offering, and the sandwich's official name.

What was the name of Roseanne's diner? ›

The Lanford Lunch Box is a popular diner that has been a staple on Roseanne, the hit TV show that have captivated audiences for decades.

What is the origin of the maid of honor tradition? ›

Typically it is the bride's closest friend or sister. The tradition of the Maid of Honor (and Bridesmaids) is thought to have originated from Roman law, which required ten witnesses in order to outsmart evil spirits. These evil spirits were believed to be present at all marriage ceremonies.

What is the history of Old Maid game? ›

Old Maid stands out as one of the earliest card games. Along with the development of playing cards, Old Maid is thought to have originated in India or China, and then came to Europe, England, and America. Essentially a matching game with one odd card, it can be played with a regular deck by removing any single card.

What is the meaning of first Maid of Honor? ›

: a bride's principal unmarried wedding attendant.

What is the significance of the maid of honor? ›

Usually a sister, very close friend, or confidant, that the Bride can rely on. Basically, the Maid Of Honor is the assistant to the Bride. While Bridesmaids' responsibilities are to be supportive and help as needed, the Maid of Honor will help the Bride out with whatever tasks are needed.

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