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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.
I’m sorry. Loose meat sandwiches? I hate that name. We actually call these sandwiches Maid Rite Burgers after a burger joint in town that makes loose meat sandwiches.
Do you have a Maid Rite near you? Ever tried one of their burgers? So good!
But, whatever you call these, just know that they are utterly delicious. So much more fun than a traditional cheeseburger and there’s no worrying about firing up the grill.
These are similar to 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!
Ingredient list:
Ground Beef – We usually cook with lean beef, but use whatever you have on hand.
Hamburger Buns – these are also good on Hawaiian rolls!
Worcestershire Sauce – Adds tons of savory flavor to the beef.
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Beef Broth
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):
Beef: There isn’t a whole lot of work involved in making loose meat sandwiches, but they are full of flavor! Start by browning the beef in a skillet, breaking it up as it cooks into smaller pieces.
Add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder and continue cooking until the meat has browned.
Broth: When the meat has browned go ahead and pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil. This is going to add a whole new level of flavor to the meat! Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. The meat will be so tender and flavorful, but give it a taste and add salt if you think it needs it.
Assemble: When the meat has finished cooking you are almost done! Spoon the beef onto some buns and top with mustard and pickles or whatever your favorite topping is!
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!’
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
Recommended burger toppings:
- Cheese – Any variety you like works, but we’re partial to American on a burger.
- Pickles
- Ketchup and Mayo
- Ketchup and Mustard
- Salty, crunchy potato chips – Not a traditional burger topping, but this is how my kids eat their Maid Rite burgers and I have to admit that it’s delicious!
- Steak Sauce
More burger recipes for you to try:
Loose Meat Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 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 meat, crumbling as it cooks, over medium heat until cooked through. Do not drain fat.
- Pour beef broth into pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
- Spoon beef onto buns and top with pickles and mustard.
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!