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Loose Meat Sandwich (Maid-Rite Copycat)

The most popular item on the Maid-Rite menu, these Loose Meat Sandwiches taste as good as the Iowa-famous diner classic. This easy ground beef recipe cooks in just 10 minutes!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 302 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 recommended, see note 1)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup onion finely chopped, plus more for topping (see note 2)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 hamburger buns split, for serving
  • toppings such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles, for serving

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large skillet, combine beef, water, mustard, and sugar. Simmer over medium heat until the beef is cooked through, about 5 minutes, breaking up clumps of meat with a spoon.
  2. Drain the fat if desired (I don't, and it is closer to the original recipe if you don't, but you can if you want). Stir in onion and season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper).
  3. Serve meat on buns with toppings on the side such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and pickles. 

Notes

  • Ground beef: I prefer a ground beef blend of 85% lean, 15% fat, for the best flavor.
  • Onions: Yellow onions, white onions, or even shallots will do. I add them after the meat is cooked so they're still a bit raw in the beef, just like a traditional Maid-Rite sandwich. Brown them in the skillet before browning the beef if you like them a little softer and milder in flavor.
  • Hamburger buns: I love a good quality soft burger bun, toasted, buttered, and ready to go. But you can even make these slightly smaller soft dinner rolls for a buffet-style meal or a tailgate menu.
  • Yield: This Maid-Rite recipe makes 4 delightfully sloppy sandwiches.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Make ahead: Feel free to make the meat up to 3 days in advance, then store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warm, then pile inside hamburger buns.
  • Freezer: Make the loose meat portion, then divvy it up in single-size or family-size servings in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
  • Slow cooker: To make Loose Meat Sandwiches in a slow cooker, brown ground beef in a skillet, then add to a slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients except buns to slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. Serve in buns.
  • Optional seasonings: Some cooks swear by a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce to amp up the flavor.
  • Take your Maid-Rite over the top: Any burger toppings you like will be a hit atop a Loose Meat Sandwich, too. Try dill pickle slices, red onion, tomato slices, a splash of barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, and/or mustard.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1sandwich Calories 302kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Cholesterol 81mg (27%) Sodium 120mg (5%) Potassium 335mg (10%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 25mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 302

% Daily Value*

Serving 1sandwich
Calories 302kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 81mg 27%
Sodium 120mg 5%
Potassium 335mg 7%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 25mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.