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These maid rites are a copycat recipe for the popular Midwest loose meat sandwich. They’re perfectly seasoned, super savory and absolutely delicious!
Growing up near Washington, Iowa, we had a small restaurant called Maid-Rite that my family and I would eat at on occasion. It’s a chain of restaurants that is primarily in the Midwest (currently 31 Maid-Rite restaurants) and serves their famous loose meat sandwiches and French fries.
Their sandwiches were so simple, yet incredibly flavorful and satisfying. They remind me a little bit of a sloppy joe, but with seasonings rather than a sauce. What I remember most about the sandwiches is their savory flavor and their meaty yet juicy texture. I’d slap on a few dill pickles and a squirt of ketchup….absolute perfection!!!
What are Maid Rite sandwiches made of?
Though I can’t say this is the “official” Maid Rite recipe, we’ll call it “my version!” 🙂
- Ground Beef – I like to use lean ground beef.
- Onion – You can use or white onion or yellow onions for this.
- Beef Broth – There’s some controversy about whether the actual recipe uses beef broth, beer or Coca Cola (or root beer?!)! Feel free to try any of these!
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Soy Sauce – I use low sodium soy sauce, but regular is fine too.
- Seasonings – Mustard (yellow mustard or mustard powder), garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Hamburger Buns & Condiments
How do you make Maid-Rite Sandwiches?
These sandwiches come together so quickly making them an easy dinner option on busy nights!!
First, you’ll add the lean beef and diced onions into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally, breaking up the meat until browned.
Add the broth, Worchestershire sauce, soy sauce and seasonings, bring to a boil then turn down to low heat. Let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Serve on warm hamburger buns with your favorite toppings!
TIP! You can enjoy them right away to hold the meat on warm or low in the Crock Pot until ready to enjoy!!
How should I top a Maid-Rite?
I think the best way to have a maid rite is on a white hamburger bun with ketchup and dill pickle slices! Yellow mustard and raw diced white onions are also great toppings! If you want to make it “Cheese Rites,” add a slice of your choice of cheese on top of the meat!
What goes well with a loose meat sandwich?
- French fries
- Potato chips
- Sweet corn
- Lettuce salad
- Baked beans
- Macaroni salad
- Potato salad
- The options are endless!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Though they are sometimes confused, they are not the same thing. Sloppy joes typically have a seasoned tomato sauce whereas a maid-rite is seasoned, but doesn’t have a sauce. Depending on where they’re from, people also refer to these as tavern sandwiches, Big T sandwiches or simply a ground beef sandwich.
According to the restaurant’s history page, a butcher and founder of the company (Fred Angell) had his deliveryman try his specialty sandwich in 1926. When the deliveryman tried it, his response was “this sandwich is made right!” Clearly Fred’s sandwich creation skills were better than his spelling as he quickly termed his creation a “Maid Rite.” 😉
Once the meat mixture is fully cooked, you can keep it warm in a slow cooker for several hours. This is an easy recipe to double or triple if making it for a crowd!
You can keep the meat in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer (in freezer-safe containers) for up to 2-3 months.
Other Quick & Easy Sandwich Recipes
Maid Rites
Equipment
- One skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 2/3 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard or 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 hamburger buns
- toppings, such as ketchup, pickles, raw onions, etc.
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and onions in a skillet; drain the excess grease.1 pound ground beef, 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, yellow mustard and seasonings.2/3 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn the burner to low and let it simmer for 10-15 mintues.
- Serve the loose meat on hamburger buns with condiments, if desired.6 hamburger buns, toppings, such as ketchup, pickles, raw onions, etc.
I had the pleasure of eating a Maid Rite last fall and was surprised how absolutely delicious it was. This is a great version!
Absolutely perfect! I live right near a Maid Rite. This is a perfect copy! BUT BETTER! I no longer have to go there to enjoy a crumbled burger. I served the crumble mix on a good quality hamburger bun with ketchup and oval vlasic pickles. Fries in the side and gravy from the mix put on top of the fries. Or you can serve the gravy as a dip for the fries. For the veggie side, I did broccoli with a light cheese sauce. Thanks for posting! I look forward to using more recipes from this site.
I grew up in Marshaltown, home of the original Maid Rite restaurant and the best ever Maid Rites…and chocolate shakes!!. These are pretty close to what I remember.
Sorry, but Muscatine,
Iowa is where the original Maid Rite began.
That’s correct. I just mentioned that the Washington, Iowa Maid-Rite was the one I ate at 🙂
Lived in Muscatine, Iowa the home of the MaidRite sandwich invented by Fred Angell! Marshalltown is not the home of the Maid Rite sandwich! Don’t know who started that phalicy!
So what’s the true story on the MaidRite sandwich?! We don’t have one in our town anymore!
Marshalltown Iowa is the original maid rite sandwiches were made. By a local butcher , Fred Angel !
Loved this easy, quick and tasty Maid Rite sandwich! Perfect for busy Moms and hungry kids. Put recipe in my cookbook so I have it.
😊 thanks
If I am making this ahead of time, how would you recommend me heat it up prior to a party in the crockpot? Temperature and length of time, I’m wondering.
Thank you!
You can make the meat ahead of time and place it in the crockpot to keep it warm….I’d just put it on low or even “warm” depending on how hot the crockpot is (all slow cookers seem to be different!) ~Kelsey
Ground beef. Onion juice. Salt and Pepper. That is all
These were great! Used five pounds of ground beef for a crowd. I did add less beef broth because it did seem like a lot for five pounds of meat.
Delicious for weekend meals!!
Could you possibly give me the amounts to use for 30 people please?
Hi Kim – It depends on the size bun you plan to use. I usually get 6 sandwiches out of one batch, so if you need 30, you’ll need 5 batches…or more if you want them extra meaty or if you anticipate people enjoying more than one! 🙂 ~Kelsey
I commented about Iowa being the first maid rite .. is correct 💯 but I accidentally put marshaltown. Which is wrong. It was Muscatine Iowa . And the butcher’s name was Fred Angel.. 😋
My mother’s American Auxiliary would make MadeRites in an electronic
roaster, for our town festival. They were so good.
We had a made rite restaurant in our area.
Today a friend and I met for lunch.
Today’s Special was MadeRites!!!
Great food good memories.
We had a Made-Rite in my hometown, too…though it’s no longer there! ~Kelsey
Boy, did this send me back to my childhood. The best addition to it is Tabasco Salsa Picante. Don’t let the Tabasco name scare you away. Very low on heat, but has all of the flavor.
YES! Couldn’t agree more!! 🙂