Name: Loose Meat Sandwiches (Iowa Maid Rite Copycat)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound lean beef: Use 80% lean /20% fat for the best flavor.; 3 tablespoons water or beef broth; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon brown sugar; 1/2 cup finely chopped onion: Yellow, white, or shallots; 4 hamburger buns

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Maid Rite sandwiches are ground beef crumbles, seasoned just right, and piled on a soft, warm bun with pickles and mustard. That’s it. It’s not a sloppy joe. It’s not a burger. It’s something in between and so good!

There are two hamburger buns with a loose meat mixture, pickle slices, and yellow mustard on them. There is a mound of crinkle french fries, a small dishes of mustard, of ketchup, of chopped onion, and one with sliced pickles. There is a small bowl of loose meat mixture. Items are on a wood surface that is lined with brown paper. There is a gray cloth napkin.

Maid Rites are one of those iconic regional specialties that you might not know about unless someone shares their love of them with you.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 delicious sandwiches
Prep Level: Beginner +

What You’ll Love

Quick Meal Prep & Easy Dinner – One skillet, a handful of pantry staples, and dinner is ready in under 30 minutes, which is great for busy nights.
Pure Comfort Food – No frills, or fancy ingredients, just warm, savory loose ground beef on a soft bun.
Versatile – Keep it classic with mustard and dill pickles, or customize it by adding your favorite toppings.
Crowd-Friendly – This is a great recipe to double for a big batch and set up a DIY slider bar at your next party or game night.

I didn’t grow up in the Midwest, and I don’t live anywhere near a Maid Rite restaurant. I had never tried them until pretty recently, and now I understand. Maid Rite sandwiches are just pure comfort food, Midwestern-style.

I made it a mission to learn how to make them at home. Spoiler – it’s incredibly easy and totally satisfying! If you’ve never had one, you’re about to meet a new favorite sandwich!

Large black skillet with a cooked ground beef mixture and chopped onion in it.

Ingredient Notes

Lean Ground Beef: I like to use 80% lean / 20% fat for the best flavor.
Water: Beef broth can be used for a more savory flavor.
Yellow Mustard: Or a splash of pickle juice.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a savory flavor to the meat.
Brown Sugar: White granulated sugar can be substituted.
Chopped Onion: Yellow onion is the most common used. White onions or even shallots can be substituted.
Hamburger Buns: Use your favorite buns.
Classic Toppings: Yellow mustard, dill pickle slices, finely chopped onion. Add a slice of American Cheese to create Cheese Rites.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Season Meat & Cook

Large dark skillet with ground beef cooking. There is a black meat masher utensil resting in the skillet. There are small bowls. One with yellow mustard, one with brown sugar, and one with Worcestershire sauce. There is a small clear dish with water in it. Items are on a white surface.

Large black skillet with a cooked ground beef mixture in it. There are small dishes with salt, pepper, and chopped onion in them. There is a wooden spoon . Items are on a white surface.

In a large skillet, combine beef, water, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Cook over medium-high heat until the beef is cooked, breaking up clumps of meat with a meat masher or wooden spoon.

Simmer

Large black skillet with a cooked ground beef mixture in it. There is a mound of chopped onion in the middle of the skillet. There is a wooden spoon resting in the skillet. The skillet is on a white surface.

Large black skillet with a cooked ground beef mixture and chopped onion in it. Skillet is on a white surface.

When fully cooked, you can drain off the excess fat if you prefer. I don’t, because it makes it truer to the original recipe. Stir in the onions, salt, and pepper to taste, then simmer.

Serve & Enjoy

Scoop a good size portion of loose meat on your favorite bun, add a few dill pickle slices, a squirt of mustard, and enjoy!

Laura Belle’s Tips

Use the Right Ground Beef – Go with 80/20 ground beef. The little bit of extra fat keeps the meat juicy and flavorful without drying out.
Break Up the Meat Finely – Classic Maid-Rite sandwiches have a fine, crumbly texture, not big chunks like taco filling. Use a meat chopper, potato masher, or wooden spoon to break it up as it cooks.
Low Simmer – After adding the water and seasonings, let the meat mixture simmer gently for at least 10 minutes. This helps the flavors soak into the meat.
Steam or Toast Your Buns – Wrap buns in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15 – 20 seconds for soft, warm buns, or toast and butter buns for over-the-top deliciousness.
Use an Ice Cream Scoop – The shape makes it easy to dig into and scoop out the loose meat mixture, preventing it from clumping.

Large square platter with four small buns with a loose meat mixture, yellow mustard, and pickle slices in between the top and bottom. There are small wooden picks in each bun. There are crinkly french fries, a small dish with sliced pickles, a small dish with yellow mustard, a small dish with chopped onion, and slices of yellow cheese on the platter. Platter is on a white surface.

How to Serve Loose Meat Sandwich Filling

Classic Style: Piled high on soft hamburger buns, topped with pickles, mustard, and chopped onions.
Burger Style: Add lettuce, tomato slices, ketchup, mayo, or even bacon.
Mini Party Sliders: Use small slider buns and secure each with a toothpick.
Open-Faced: Serve the crumbled meat mixture over a thick slice of bread, topped with cheese or gravy, and eat with a fork.
Over Fries or Tots: Spoon the loose hamburger meat over crispy French fries or tater tots, add cheese, and your favorite toppings.
Salad Version: Top fresh greens with warm loose meat, shredded cheese, pickles, and a mustard vinaigrette.

There is a loose ground meat mixture and small, cylindrical, deep fried potato pieces with melted cheese in a brown paper lined container. There are small dishes, one with yellow mustard, one with chopped onion, and one with shredded cheese. There is a light brown cloth napkin. Items are on a wood surface.

What to Serve with Sandwiches

Classic Diner-Style Sides – Potato Chips, Crinkle-Cut Fries, or Southern-Style Coleslaw from South In Your Mouth
Comfort Food Favorites – Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans, or Potato Salad
Lighter Sides – Tossed Garden Salad, Cucumber Salad, or a Fresh Fruit Salad

Slow Cooker Method

To make Loose Meat Sandwiches in a slow cooker/crock pot, brown the ground beef in a skillet, then add it to a slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients except the buns. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. Pile a scoop on a bun with your favorite toppings.

Yield: 4