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This Maid-Rite recipe is a homemade version of the popular Midwestern loose meat sandwich! They’re super savory, made with perfectly seasoned ground beef inside a fluffy hamburger bun.
I love using affordable ground beef in so many recipes, from classic hamburgers to homemade beefaroni and the best meatloaf. These copycat Maid-Rites are officially high on the list!
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Fun fact: The name “Maid-Rite” is said to have originated in 1926 when a deliveryman tried this ground beef sandwich for the first time, declaring “This sandwich is made right!” Questionable spelling aside, it’s been a staple in Maid-Rite restaurants, pubs, and food courts in the Midwest.
I lived in Iowa for several years, where our local mall had a Maid-Rite restaurant in their food court. You could order their famous loose meat sandwiches with or without cheese and with burger toppings like pickles and mustard on the side. It was something I looked forward to whenever I hit the shops, and I’ve had lots of fun recreating this homemade version.
What Makes a Maid Rite So Good
- Juicy ground beef. They call these “loose meat sandwiches” for a reason! The filling is made by simmering tender ground beef with broth, sugar, and a handful of seasonings and condiments. It’s juicy and packed with flavor.
- Easy to make. You cook everything in one skillet, and it’s ready to serve in 30 minutes or less.
- DIY toppings. The best part is choosing the toppings. Whether you go the classic route with mustard and pickles, add cheese, or get creative, these copycat Maid-Rites are the best!
What’s the Difference Between a Maid-Rite and a Sloppy Joe?
It’s easy to confuse Maid-Rite sandwiches with Sloppy Joes. And while they’re similar, they’re not the same thing. Sloppy Joes combines ground meat with a tomato-based sauce, whereas the ground beef in Maid-Rites is seasoned, but not as saucy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll find loads of variations of this ground beef loose meat sandwich, but you need only a few easy ingredients to make something pretty darn close to a Maid-Rite original. I’ve included some notes on what I use below. Scroll to the printable recipe card for the full ingredients list and amounts.
- Ground Beef – I use 80/20 lean ground beef as it keeps the loose meat filling from turning out too greasy. You can use 90/10 extra-lean ground beef if you’d prefer.
- Onion – White or brown onion, finely chopped.
- Garlic – Freshly minced is best. If you don’t have fresh garlic, substitute ¼-½ teaspoon of garlic powder (or onion powder) per fresh clove.
- Beef Broth – You could also use chicken broth or stock, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Or soy sauce, for a hint of umami.
- Mustard – Traditional Maid-Rite calls for yellow mustard. You could replace it with Dijon or hot brown mustard for a different flavor profile in the sauce.
- Sugar – White or brown sugar, it’s up to you.
- Hamburger Buns – Or your choice of sandwich buns, for serving.
- Sliced Cheese – Optional, also for serving. I like to use a melty cheese, like American cheese or cheddar.
How to Make Maid Rite Sandwiches
Let’s make these copycat Maid-Rites in three steps. Scroll to the recipe card after the post for the printable instructions.
- Brown the beef. Start by sautéeing the ground beef and diced onions in a skillet. Let that cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking up the meat while it browns. Afterward, drain any leftover grease, add the garlic, and sauté for a minute more until that’s fragrant.
- Add the seasonings. Pour in the beef broth and add the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and a sprinkle of sugar. Bring the skillet to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes while the liquid cooks off and the filling thickens.
- Serve! Spoon the ground beef over a fluffy hamburger bun topped with a slice of cheese, pickles, and any of your favorite burger condiments. See below for more ideas and serving suggestions.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Brown the beef. Take the time to brown the beef in the skillet before adding the seasonings. Browning brings out color and flavor in the meat, for a tastier sandwich.
- Substitute the ground beef. In place of ground beef, you can make these Maid-Rite sandwiches with ground chicken, turkey, pork, or a combination of ground meat. For a vegetarian version, I recommend preparing this recipe with crumbled tofu (like my tofu tacos) and seasoning it as directed.
- Toast the burger buns. When I have time, I like to slice and toast the hamburger buns under the broiler for a minute or two before filling them with ground beef. It keeps the bread from getting soggy.
- Easy add-ins. The best part about making my restaurant favorites at home is that I can customize the ingredients in loads of ways! Try adding veggies like diced bell peppers (sauté them with the beef and onions), and herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chili flakes.
Serving Suggestions
A classic Maid-Rite sandwich is served topped with mustard, with a side of pickles. You can really dress up your sandwich any way you’d like! Try adding burger toppings like ketchup, mayo, relish, or homemade coleslaw. Or, drizzle on some Big Mac Sauce or Thousand Island dressing. On the side, I love crispy smashed potatoes or air fryer potato wedges. It’s also nice to lighten things up with a tossed salad or Caesar salad. To round out the diner-style experience, try a homemade chocolate milkshake for dessert!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Store any leftover Maid-Rite ground beef in an airtight container in the fridge. It lasts up to 4 days. I like to turn the leftover ground beef into a Big Mac salad.
- Reheat. Warm the ground beef in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring often, until it’s hot throughout. Serve over a fluffy bun as usual.
- Freeze. Allow the Maid-Rite mixture to cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw the meat in the fridge before reheating and serving.
More Easy Sandwich Recipes
Maid Rite
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2/3 cup beef broth
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 slices American cheese, or Cheddar cheese, optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef and onion over medium high heat for 4-5 minutes, breaking up into small pieces. Once the meat is browned and cooked through drain an grease away. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until you can start to smell it.1 pound lean ground beef, ½ cup finely chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and sugar to the pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and continue to simmer for about 15 minutes for it to thicken and the moisture to evaporate.2/3 cup beef broth, 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar
- Serve on a hamburger bun topped with pickles, and favorite condiments (ketchup and mustard). Optionally, place a slice of cheese on each sandwich.4 hamburger buns, 4 slices American cheese
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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