This Loose Meat Sandwich recipe is a Midwest classic. Think of a sloppy joe without the tomato sauce base. A simple, super flavorful ground beef sandwich that you can top however you like. They’re hearty and filling, fun and messy and so addicting.
What Is A Loose Meat Sandwich?
If you’re not from the Midwest – or maybe even if you are – you might not have head about loose meat sandwiches. Think sloppy joe but without the sauce, which is good news for those who don’t like tomato sauce. Ground beef is quickly cooked down in a skillet with onions and seasonings and then simmered in beef broth to add flavor.
Another name for this sandwich is a Maid-Rite, based on a popular chain restaurant that made them famous. While we’ve never tried a Maid-Rite version, we are totally in love with the version that we made here!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a few, simple ingredients and you’ll be on your way to making this delicious dinner recipe! For a full list of ingredients with amounts needed, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Ground Beef: We like to use an 85% lean ground beef. Not too lean but not too fatty either. In a pinch, you can also substitute ground turkey or ground pork.
- Yellow Onions: Sweet yellow onions add great flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Reduced sodium is preferred, if you only have regular soy sauce hold off on the salt until the loose meat is finished. Give it a taste and then add salt if needed.
- Worcestershire Sauce: The famous sauce with the crazy name. It enhances the delicious, meaty flavor.
- Beef Broth: Use a good quality broth or bone stock for the most flavor.
- Yellow Mustard: A traditional ingredient in Maid-Rites, but you can also use dijon or stone ground mustard.
- Garlic Powder: Can also use fresh garlic, but we use garlic powder to keep it easy.
How To Make
We’ll show you step by step photos with instructions here. For a complete list of instructions, head down to the recipe card.
- Cook Onions & Ground Beef: Add olive oil to a large skillet, then add diced onions and cook until soft. Add ground beef, breaking up into crumbles. Cook until no pink remains and then drain the grease from the skillet.
- Season & Simmer: Add Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, garlic powder, yellow mustard to the skillet and stir. Simmer over low heat until no liquid remains, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasonings and add salt and pepper if needed.
Topping Ideas
Enjoy these delicious Loose Meat Sandwiches as is, or top them in any way you like! Some popular toppings are:
- Diced, raw onions
- Yellow Mustard
- Ketchup
- Pickles
- American Cheese
- Might not be traditional, but we also love adding mayonnaise
What To Serve With Maid-Rite Sandwiches
This easy to make ground beef recipe is perfect for parties and holidays, we love them for quick and delicious dinners too. What you serve on the side might depend on what you’re making them for, but here are a few ideas!
- French Fries
- Ranch Potato Salad
- Baked Macaroni & Cheese
- Corn on the Cob on the Grill
- Party Potatoes
- Super Creamy Coleslaw
Looking For More Ground Beef Recipes?
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Loose Meat Sandwich (AKA Maid Rites)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Pin RecipeThese tasty Loose Meat Sandwiches are a Midwest classic! Like a sloppy joe but without tomato sauce – a delicious, messy and fun dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (if needed)
- Fresh black pepper to taste
- 3/4 – 1 cup beef broth
- Hamburger buns for serving
Topping Ideas:
- Diced, raw onions
- Ketchup
- Yellow mustard
- Pickles
- American cheese
- Mayonnaise
- BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Add the ground beef, breaking up into crumbles as it cooks. Cook the beef, stirring into the onions until no pink remains. Drain the grease from the skillet.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, mustard, garlic powder and salt and pepper if needed. (We like to taste the beef filling before adding the salt)
- Pour in the beef broth, starting with 3/4 of a cup. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes until all the liquid evaporates. If the liquid evaporates too quickly, turn the heat down and add a little more broth.
- Once the liquid is gone, let the beef caramelize on the bottom for 2 minutes. Pile the filling onto hamburger buns and top as desired.
Recipe Notes
Store: Store leftover loose meat in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Let the beef filling cool and then store in freezer bags for up to 4 months.
Keep warm for parties in a slow cooker on the “warm setting”
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
