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These Loose Meat Sandwiches are a staple in our house! Such an easy and fun twist on burgers inspired by the Maid Rite recipe! The beef gets cooked in a savory sauce so that it has tons of flavor, perfect for a weeknight, and totally kid-approved.
Call ’em what you want, either way they’re delicious.
The Midwest’s Best Kept Secret
I’m sorry. Loose meat sandwiches? I hate that name. We actually call these sandwiches Maid Rite Burgers after a Midwestern burger joint that makes these.
But, apparently, the more common name is Loose Meat Sandwich. <— K. You do you.
Just, whatever it is you call them, please promise you’ll give these a try. They sound so simple – probably because they are.
You look at the ingredient list and you think *boring.* But no.
The beef gets really tender and savory thanks to the cooking method and the family goes absolutely bonkers for these sandwiches.
Plus, the kids love manhandling these!
Think a sloppy joe, but without the sauce. (Speaking of which, our homemade sloppy joe sauce is phenomenal.)
I grew up eating these Maid Rite sandwiches and I’m raising my kids on them too!
What Readers are Saying!
“Last week I was going through my Pinterest saves looking for something easy to cook for dinner. I came upon this recipe and I have tried many versions but I never found a version that I liked. Until I made these!!! OMG! Pure Awesomeness! They were so yummy that hubby requested them this evening for dinner and I was informed to make enough for one of his friends because he has been bragging all week on these sandwiches so we are having company for dinner.” – Paula K
Ingredient Notes:
Ground Beef – For burgers, we usually go for 80/20 beef. A leaner beef will work as well.
Hamburger Buns – Butter ’em and pop them in a hot skillet to toast. It makes all the difference!
Worcestershire Sauce – This is a key ingredient that adds a lot of savory depth to the beef.
Spices – We’re keeping it simple with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Have faith. These are simple but still flavorful.
Beef Broth – The beef simmers in the broth which adds savory flavor and helps make the beef super tender.
Toppings – We usually stick with dill pickles and mustard, but any burger toppings would work here. You do you!
How To Make Maid Rite Burgers (aka loose meat sandwiches):
Brown the beef in a skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and seasonings.
Add the broth to the beef and bring it to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 30 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
Taste the beef and season with additional salt, if needed. Spoon it onto your buns and build your maid rite burgers!
Tip: It’s worth the extra effort to butter and grill the hamburger buns on a griddle or skillet first before serving!
Leftover Hack!
Turn your leftovers into a burger burrito! Warm up a large flour tortilla, fill with meat, pile on french fries, drizzle with ketchup and mustard, add some pickles, and roll it all up like a burrito! Our kids are obsessed with ‘burger-ittos!’
Recommended Topping:
To be perfectly honest, we like them just the way they come at Maid Rite and that means dill pickles and mustard only!
Of course, there are plenty of options though:
- Cheese – Any variety you like works, but we’re partial to American on a burger.
- Ketchup and Mayo
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Fried Egg
- Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, and/or Avocado
- Smash Burger Sauce
More Burger Recipes:
Loose Meat Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 to 85/15 for best flavor
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 4 hamburger buns
- pickles for serving
- mustard for serving
Instructions
- Place ground beef and seasonings into a large skillet and brown the meat, crumbling it as it cooks, over medium heat until cooked through. Do not drain fat.
- Pour the beef broth into the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
- Taste the beef and season with additional salt, if needed.
- Spoon the beef onto buns and top with pickles and mustard.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This recipe was originally published in August 2016. It was updated in February 2021.
Sandra anderson says
How do you make these taste really hot. I mean Hot…thanks
Karly says
You could always add in red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce.
Mike says
Grew up with the independently contrived (less greasy than Maid-Rite and better tasting, IMHO) Tendermaid sandwiches based in Austin, MN that still uses the same cast iron steamer since it opened in 1936.
Gail says
I’ve never had these before but they sound really good. I’m just curious though, do you usually use dill or sweet pickles? Thanks everyone!
Karly says
I use dill pickles, but either work. 😉
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
These look do yummy! LOL at recipe-naming. 🙂 My husband also hates onions, so I use the onion powder trick as well.
Wendy says
These look like a flavorful way to prepare any ground meat. We usually eat ground chicken instead of beef. I think this recipe will work just as well with the ground chicken. Easy and quick dinner ideas get thumbs up from me!
Linda says
I’ll eat almost anything on a Hawaiian roll too. These do sound tempting. My mom made sloppy Dean’s after my dad. He didn’t like to eat messy food. So they were for summer time lunches when he was at work. I bet he would love these. thanks for sharing. Simple ingredients and easy to make.
Linda
Debra says
I had no idea anything like this existed. My mom made sloppy joes occasionally but they weren’t a family favorite. I never heard of cheese rights either! I’ve lived such a sheltered life!!
Lynn's Southern Heart says
These sound great and I cant wait to try them. I Love love love the slider Hawaiian buns and use them and the hot dog ones too. I am the picky one that wont eat onions….I know I know…just cant do it, lol. These sound like my sloppy joe type of sandwich, but instead of the beef broth I use BBQ sauce…thanks for the recipe. I know my Husband will Love these!
Rhonda says
I have seen a few recipes for “Maid-Rite” sandwiches but this one sounds the best so far…I can’t wait to make this recipe. I had one once while driving across country with my family as a child. Thanks for posting!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
Oooh, these look super tasty! Total comfort food for me. And using those Hawaiian slider rolls is the perfect finishing touch 🙂
Debbie says
I agree with Erica…always reminds me of Roseanne! Love these types of dishes. And I have to use powder instead of onion, too. I have a picky son! Can’t wait to try these!
Carlee says
Our Maid-Right is one of those places people who have moved away need to visit while they are back in town. They make the best homemade pies… and of course the cheese rights!
Erica says
I’ll have to try this yummy recipe. I always think of the show Roseanne when I think if loose meat sandwiches.
Jan says
Mmmm, Maid-Right hamburgers. My mother’s family is from Iowa. Every trip we made we had to stop at the Maid-Right place in Marshalltown both going and coming. Good times.
Brightly Bailie says
How interesting, I never had sloppy joes growing up either but as an adult I was curious and made them one night and now my husband and I are hooked!