What is a loose meat sandwich made of?

I first heard about Maid Rite, or Loose Meat sandwiches from the classic tv show, Roseanne. These ground beef and onion sandwiches are unbelievable simple but so delicious in their simplicity. Served with pickles and mustard and or ketchup they are absolutely addicting when served on a soft, sesame seed bun.

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

They are a classic in the Midwest, especially if you live anywhere near Iowa. If you are unfamiliar, maid rites are a loose meat sandwich made from ground beef. It's like a sloppy joe without the tomato sauce .

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 loose meat on roseanne?

A tavern sandwich (also called a loose meat sandwich or loosemeat) is a sandwich consisting of ground beef on a bun, sometimes mixed with sauteed onions, and sometimes topped with pickles, ketchup, mustard, raw onions, and/or cheese .

What is a loose meat sandwich called?

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?

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.

Who invented the Maid-Rite sandwich?

In 1926, the Maid-Rite sandwich was born! Fred Angell started the concept in Muscatine, Iowa. Fred began to franchise his idea, selling the rights to Newton, Iowa in 1927 and Marshalltown, Iowa in 1928.

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.

Is a loose meat sandwich a sloppy joe?

One thing in which almost every food historian agrees is that the precursor of the sloppy joe was the “loose meat sandwich,” also known as a steamer or tavern sandwich .

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

However, this sandwich is essentially seasoned loose ground beef, sautéed or boiled with onions, and served on a bun. Think of it as an unconstructed hamburger patty or a sloppy Joe without the sauce . Like a burger, it is often served with cheese, condiments, and pickles.

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

Primarily consisting of finely crumbled seasoned ground beef and chopped onions, a Loose Meat Sandwich is eaten like a loose hamburger, similar to Sloppy Joes but with the absence of a tomato-based sauce .

Where are loose meat sandwiches from?

The invention of the steamed ground beef and seasonings served on a bun is attributed to a café owner in Sioux City in 1924. Another restaurant took over the recipe when the café closed. The name of the sandwich was upgraded to “tavern” sandwich and the restaurant's name changed to Ye Olde Tavern Inn.

Where did the loose meat sandwich come from?

History of the Sandwich The loose meat sandwich is sometimes known as a steamer or tavern sandwich. Some say it originated at Ye Olde Tavern in Sioux City in the 1920s, and others claim it was at Maid-Rite in Muscatine in the same decade.

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (2024)

ByDonna Elick June 4, 2023June 26, 2023

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!!

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!

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.
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.
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.

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (3)

Serving Suggestions

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

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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Other Easy Crockpot Sandwich Recipes

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (8)

Maid Rite Recipe Loose Meat Sandwich + Video (9)

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

Equipment

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

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

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