Loose Meat Sandwiches
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Packed with seasonings like brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and apple cider vinegar, these loose meat sandwiches with tender onion pieces are full of flavor and so easy to make for supper. Take them to the next level by serving them on Hawaiian sweet rolls.
Two things I love: economical ground beef recipes and easy weeknight suppers. Well, this easy loose meat sandwich recipe ticks both boxes! Also called a tavern sandwich, it’s a Midwestern specialty that originated at Maid-Rite in Iowa. They’re THE sandwich to try in Iowa (and the most popular item on the Maid-Rite menu), so today we’re making homemade loose meat sandwiches.
When I say this recipe is quick and easy, I mean it. All we have to do is cook the ground beef, onion, and seasonings in a large skillet until the meat is cooked and the sauce has thickened. They’ll be ready to serve in under 30 minutes.
Now, let’s take a moment to talk about the seasonings because they make ground beef so deliciously tasty and full of flavor. They include garlic powder, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, a combination of chicken and beef stock, seasoned salt, and pepper. As the sauce cooks down, all of these different flavors soak into the ground beef for the tastiest loose meat sandwiches ever!
Meat sandwiches are always a hit in my house if you love this one make sure you try Easy Sloppy Joes, Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Steak Sandwiches, Club Sandwich or Italian Beef Sandwiches
A lil’ housekeeping
Before we dive in, a couple of housekeeping notes. Firstly, it’s very important you use lean ground beef as you will regret using regular beef when you realize how greasy it makes these puppies in the end. Secondly, this recipe isn’t complete without a packet of Hawaiian sweet rolls. They’re the absolute perfect vessel for our loose meat sandwiches. Trust me, it is very important that you use Hawaiian sweet rolls for this. If you use a regular hamburger bun, it’s going to fall to pieces and be a big old mess. Plus it won’t have that flavor in the bun that these rolls have.
Keep reading for lots of topping and serving suggestions.
Recipe Ingredients
- Garlic powder
- Brown sugar
- Onion
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce
- LEAN ground beef
- Apple cider vinegar
- Seasoned salt
- Black pepper
- Chicken and beef bouillon cubes (or a cup of beef or chicken broth instead)
- Hawaiian sweet rolls
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How To Make Loose Meat Sandwiches
I know, my onions are not chopped fine but this is about as far as I get before my brain is ready to move on to the next step. Finely chopped is a relative phrase.
Then add onions and beef to a large skillet.
Pour in water or if you are using chicken broth and beef broth, pour that in here now.
Now start mixing up the ground beef with the water.
You’ll notice that with the added water the ground beef gets really, really fine. That is what we want.
This is how we make hot dog chili and it is perfect for this meat as well. You’re going to end up with very fine granules of tender beef and the water cooks out.
You want to put that over medium-high heat and cook it until the meat is done and there is no more pinkness.
It will get done pretty quickly in this case because all of that water is cooking it at the same time the heat is.
Now add everything else.
Return this to the stovetop and stir it really, really well.
Cook over medium to medium-high heat, stirring often until the liquid cooks down as pictured below. This part may take anywhere from ten to twenty minutes.
Just find something to read and hang out around the stove. Or even better, let your kids do this part while you go put your feet up.
This is our finished loose meat, all ready for sandwiches.
Assemble your loose meat sandwich
Using a slotted spoon, strain out some of the meat and press it into a pile on top of the center of a cut Hawaiian sweet roll.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add the toppings of your choice (lots of options below). I’m opting for mustard…
But they also taste so good with pickles.
Then I say you should serve them with a side of potato chips.
Enjoy!
Storage
- If you happen to not eat all your meat, simply store it in the fridge for up to three days. Then when you would like some, heat it up in the microwave or add it to a skillet with a splash of water. This will warm it up and prevent the meat from burning.
- Go right ahead and freeze any of the ground beef you don’t eat right away. It will freeze for up to three months in the freezer. You can freeze the meat in a freezer bag or airtight container that is freezer-friendly.
Recipe Notes
- I have gotten away from using bouillion cubes to keep salt levels low and substituted them with beef and chicken broth. I find these give the meat even more flavor. But use whatever you feel comfortable with.
- Feel free to use yellow onion, white onion, or even green onion.
Recipe FAQs
What is a loose meat sandwich made of?
A loose meat sandwich or tavern sandwich includes seasoned ground beef sauteed with onions served on a bun and topped with condiments such as dill pickles, ketchup, mustard, and cheese.
What is a loose meat sandwich called?
A loose meat sandwich can be called a variety of names, depending on where in the Midwest you are. This includes the aforementioned tavern sandwich, a Maid-Rite after its birthplace, a Nu-Way, a Steamer, a Big T, or a loose hamburger sandwich.
Does this recipe double?
Grab a larger pan and go right ahead and double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe. This is a great ground beef recipe to serve up for birthday parties, family gatherings, and more.
What do you eat with loose meat sandwiches?
Okay, there are endless ways to serve your loose meat sandwich, so here are just some serving suggestions:
- These loose meat burgers are absolutely sublime when topped with ketchup, mustard, and pickles.
- But use your favorite condiment, whether that’s ketchup, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, or mayonnaise.
- My husband insists that purity is best and has them as they are, nothing added, just on the roll.
- Add your favorite burger toppings: red onion, tomato slices, lettuce, crispy bacon, and American cheese.
- Serve them as a main dish with a side, like mac and cheese, roasted sweet potato wedges, onion rings, or parmesan oven fries.
- Add a side salad. They’d also taste great with my burger slaw or coleslaw on the side.
Can I use ground turkey to replace ground beef?
If you want a leaner loose meat sandwich recipe, opt for ground chicken or turkey. It will of course change the flavor a bit, but it will still be just as delicious as the beef.
What is the difference between a loose meat sandwich and a sloppy joe?
The biggest difference between these two sandwiches is that the latter is known for its tomato-based sauce. Loose meat sandwiches are meat without sauce. But both recipes are just as messy as each other!
This loose meat sandwich recipe is one of those recipes you just have to try.
You may also enjoy these sensational sandwich recipes:
Ingredients
- 3 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 whole onion, finely chopped
- 1.5 tsp seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 to 4 cups water eliminate this step if you are using broth
- 2 beef bouillon cubes or two cups of broth
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes or two cups of broth
Instructions
- Put beef and onion in a large skillet along with water. Chop up beef really really fine while bringing it to a low boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring and chopping often, until no longer pink.3 pounds lean ground beef, 3 to 4 cups water, 1 whole onion, finely chopped
- Add everything else and continue lightly boiling, stirring often, until water is cooked down and the ground beef mixture gets thick.2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1.5 tsp seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 beef bouillon cubes, 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- Strain beef out and press small mounds of beef onto cut Hawaiian sweet rolls. Top with your choice of condiments. Mustard is highly recommended.
Notes
Nutrition
Made these last night and my husband swears these are just like the Maid Rites in Rolla, MO that he grew up on. These sandwiches and your Mac-n-cheese recipe. My husband declared this one of his favorite meals. Thank you for sharing simple, affordable meals. And for bringing back childhood memories like this one.
I am so glad he liked them!!! I have never tried one so I wasn’t sure. Thanks for the feedback and for trying my recipes!!
These sound so good! I know what’s going on my Super Bowl table next week. Thanks!
I am so glad you liked them Maisey!!!
Hi Christy,
was looking at this post at work, my boss saw the sandwich and knew exactly what it was!! lol.. He is from Iowa and remembers eating them all the time growing up. He had me print him out a copy of the recipe too!!!
We have 3 or 4 Maid Rite shops in my area and I grew up with it. I LOVE Maid Rites (loose meat sandwiches)!!! I took my husband to try it soon after we started dating, he was not from around here and…he doesn’t like them! *GASP* I still can’t quite wrap my brain around that! He’s like, “it’s boiled meat!” and he doesn’t get what the hype is about these sandwiches.
So, I go on a Saturday by myself to gorge on a couple and enjoy every bite, while he misses out!
I’ll have to try your recipe to see how close it is.
Had these for dinner last night. The whole family joined in to cook. They said we never have to make sloppy joes again … we can just have these. Fantastic! Everyone (but me) tried something different on their sandwich. Not me, just cheese! Will be making these a lot more.
Wow. These look absolutely disgusting. How can so many rave about the recipe? How does the title “loose meat sandwich” even sound appealing? This is why most people in America are obese; clearly there is a lack of locally grown, healthy, organic, non-gmo, edible food available.
Do yourself a favor and visit the farmers market for healthy locally grown vegetables, eggs, whole-non processed grains and free range poultry, pork, & beef. You will support your local township and more importantly provide your family with a healthy meal.
Pay attention to what is happening in this country and realize that processed food is causing so many chronic diseases (asthma, allergies, ADD/ADHD, etc.). Nut allergies are not genetic; how does an entire generation become allergic to so many foods? How many people did you know growing up who had this type of allergy.
How many peers did you know with ADD/ADHD growing up? Red, yellow, & blue dies in your food… Take these and processed food out & see the change in attitude and behavior within your family.
Don’t forget to take sugar and fake sweeteners out too. What a destruction to your body. Try some seltzer water and a squeeze of lemon.
Dare to be different. Try it and see how you feel and how good you feel when you treat your family right.
This is not the forum for you. Bother your family not folks you have never met.
I like you Baltisraul 🙂
I like Baltisraul too. I grew up in North Missouri and a trip over the state line to get a Maid-Rite in Centerville, IA was a special treat. I don’t remember them having so many additives, but it has been years since I had one, so… I’m ready to give this a shot!
Since the original locations used bull meat, the additives were minimal and nobody back in the ’20’s really cared or heard of additives. Root Beer is used to boil down the meat. Some of the newer location switched to Coke, but not all. I still use Root Beer in mine. The closest you can come to a great Maid-Rite is to used 93/7 ground chuck. Not many butcher shops carry bull meat. ha ha
Christy; Wow! Obviously this person ain’t from around these parts. But then-again, neither am I. As an ‘escapee’ from New York City, I came south with my Bible, my wife, my musket and my manners. One person wrote, “This is not the forum for you.” Forum is too small. I was thinking more on an interplanetary scale. That person can’t be from the south; South Bronx, maybe. I think that she needs a little anger management, medication adjustment, or both: Or maybe to even slip into something more comfortable…
like a coma.
Personally, I truly enjoy your blog and your recipes. Your blog is sincere, honest and thoroughly enjoyable. Your recipes evoke memories in many of us and your approach makes it easy for those, at any level, to give them a try. They even inspire some of us ‘old pros’ whose inspiration well runs a bit dry from time to time.
Keep up the good work. God bless.
Chris,
Are you going to try the loose meat sandwiches? Hope you do, they are that good. Make sure your ground beef is as lean as you can find (93/7) if available. The last I bought was at Walmart of all places.
Balt.
Balt,
I actually grew up on, and have been making, something very similar for decades. I’ve actually made these for our church. I’m actually making these for our lunch/Bible study tomorrow. There’s a retired 2 star general in our flock. He’s the first one to grab the BBQ sauce. He puts it on everything. D’oh! I guess after 35 years of Army food, he’s lucky to even have a palate. I just had a brainstorm as I was out provisioning for tomorrow. Since SC is the home of the mustard based BBQ sauce, I’m adding a bottle of top shelf mustard based BBQ sauce to the condiment selection. WOW: It should be epic!
Christy is right. Though I prefer King’s Hawaiian burger buns, they are quite messy. For church, however, I use a top shelf hoagie roll or my homemade Portuguese water rolls or sweet rolls. I also found that a nice thick slice of fresh Vidalia onion helps anchor the ingredients together. Tomorrow, God willing, should be outstanding!
Blessings to you Christopher, thank you so much for making my day!!
I agree with you!!! THe old adage if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all applies to that person.
Not only do I agree with Baltisraul’s comment, I’d like to add that you are a guest on this website, as is everyone else here, show some manners.
Henry James once said “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” He was right.
Not everyone has the budget for or the access to the foods that you advocate. Bear that in mind.
Hey Kathy! I am an avid lover of wise quotes and even though I own countless books filled with them, I had never heard that one you shared! I am copying it in my notebook now and will use it at the bottom of a post soon. Many thanks to you for everything!
Gratefully,
CJ
It’s one of my all-time favorites, and you are quite welcome. I thought Ann was extremely rude and almost said so last night, but I’m glad I waited.
Ann, where have “you” been all your life? Apparently you have not ever followed this blog or even read Christy’s recipes (or jealous)? They are from her “peers”. I looked real close to her recipe and could not see how you could possibly write such disgusting comment. There are two ingredients that might/are questionable. The first is seasoned salt and it is made with powders and the main ingredient is salt used to flavor food and it’s name says what it is. If you think that little amount of salt from it is too much you can make your own (many recipes online). Then Accent which is MSG. 1/2 teaspoon is so little (unless you have medical problems) and can be left out. Most of Christy’s recipes are all pre WW2. Many are lost from our Grandparents. If you are worried about GMO’s use your homegrown or organic food in the ingredients. A lot of us who use Christy’s site are like me and grown my own food (I also grow an acre extra for the food pantry) raise my own chickens and eggs. I grow my own herbs and make most of my own seasonings. My parents and grandparents have passed away and many of the recipes have been lost and many I have found on Christy’s site. She has been a blessing to me and my family and has helped me to continue to feed them healthy the way I grew up. Next time you go to a web-site and “trash” it before you read it, remember one of the values my parents taught their children, “Your rights end where others begin”. You had no right to write what you did. We still have a Maid-Rite here in West Plains, Missouri. Being in the Bible Belt, boys still take their first date with a girl to the Maid-Rite. Our Maid-Rite has a reputation of first date, wedding date. Our married couples still together 50-60 years. There are many, many people who love their “loose meat sandwich” and after 50-60 years they still have a “date” at the Maid-Rite. Thank you Christy I very much love your blog, and your stories and recipes have brought me many beautiful memories especially when I was missing my parents and grandparents.
P.S. my family eats a lot healthier and they thank you too….
Christy, I met you several years ago when I was working at manging chef at LuVici’s in Athens. Enjoy your posts, blog & recipes.
I have made loose meat sandwiches but plan to try your recipe.
The same method of cooking also works great for seasoned taco or burrito meat, just change seasonings to cumin, Mexican oregano & chili powder with the bouillon, garlic & onions. My husband loves burritos with the meat prepared in this manner. I used that method for 30 lbs. of ground chuck in a tilt skillet for a taco buffet birthday. Delicious.
Happy cookin’ Paula aka mecookin
MANAGING not manging…LOL
Great idea Paula!!! Thanks for sharing your tips!