Copycat Maid Rite Sandwiches Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Copycat Maid Rite Sandwiches Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Make up a Midwestern classic quickly and easily at home! These copycat Maid Rite sandwiches are made with ground beef and pork and are one delicious bite! This loose meat sandwich is a true family favorite!

Copycat Maid Rite Sandwiches Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Maid Rite Sandwiches

If you are from the Midwest, I’m sure you know all about the famous Maid Rite sandwiches, and if you’re not, then you are in for one hell of a tasty treat!

Similar to Sloppy Joes, these ground meat sandwiches are are a great option for game day, or just when you want a little indulgence! Simple to make, they are filling, hearty and loaded with flavor.

Be sure to try my Reuben Sandwich and Crispy Chicken Sandwich too!

Why You’ll Love this Copycat Maid Rite Sandwich Recipe:

  • ONE PAN: The filling for these sandwiches is all cooked in a skillet on the stovetop, so even the clean up is a breeze!
  • KID FRIENDLY: Your picky eaters will love these sandwiches! They are a hit with the whole family, and you’ll be asked for these time and time again!
  • MAKE AHEAD: You can easily make the beef and pork filling ahead of time and it’s freezer friendly too!

Also known as a Nu-Way, Steamer, Big T, loose hamburgersandwich and tavernsandwich, whatever you call them, they are hands down delicious!

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How to Make Copycat Maid Rite Sandwiches

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Brown the ground meats and soften the onion in a large skillet.
  2. Once browned, drain the excess fat from the pan.
  3. Add in the dissolved bouillon cubes and remaining ingredients.
  4. Simmer.
  5. Serve on burger buns with your favorite toppings.
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What is a maid rite sandwich?

This is a loose ground meat sandwich that is served in burger buns. The meat is seasoned with steak sauce, red wine vinegar and soy sauce for a bite that’s full of flavor.

What kind of meat should I use?

For the best results, use a mix of ground pork and beef. I like to use ground chuck as is has a good fat ratio which makes it more tasty. You can use just beef if you prefer, or try them with ground turkey or chicken if you like.

How can I add cheese slices to these sandwiches?

For cheesy burgers, immediately prior to serving, cover about ⅛ of the meat mixture with one slice of cheese and let it melt before scooping and serving.

What’s the difference between maid rites and sloppy joes?

Sloppy Joes and Maid Rites are similar in the fact that they are made from loose ground meat, but Maid Rite is much less saucy compared to Sloppy Joes which are cooked in a tomato sauce.

Serving Suggestions

This copycat Maid Rite sandwich recipe is great to serve with all of your usual favorite burger and sandwich sides. Try out some of these classics:

  • Baked Sweet Potato Fries
  • Shoestring Fries
  • Creamy Coleslaw
  • Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
  • Potato Salad

However you serve up these sandwiches, they’re sure to be a hit! They are a great addition to any game day menu!

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All the Burgers

Guide to Cooking Burgers at Home

See all of our favorite burger recipes plus tips and tricks for cooking the ultimate burger at home.

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Tips!

  • Once the meats are browned, be sure to drain most of the fat off, otherwise your sandwiches will be very greasy.
  • For a healthier option, try making these with ground chicken or turkey, they’ll still be delicious!
  • If making the filling ahead of time, let it cool full before storing.

My family is so obsessed with these, from the kids to the Grandparents! Trust me, make some of these up and you’ll see what the fuss is all about!

What toppings go well with maid rite sandwiches?

My favorite toppings for these are cheese slices, diced white onions, pickles, and mustard, the tanginess of the toppings work great with the cooked meat.

Can I make these in a crockpot?

Yes! Brown the meats first, then add everything to the Crockpot. Cook on low for 3 hours and for the last hour of cooking, remove the lid so that the liquid evaporates.

How far in advance can I make the meat mixture?

The cooked meat mixture will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, and can be reheated in a skillet to serve. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

More Easy Game Day Recipes We Love

  • Baked Meatball Sliders
  • Beef Sheet Pan Nachos
  • Crockpot Buffalo Wings
  • Crockpot Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
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These copycat Maid Rite sandwiches are so quick and easy to make at home! So simple with a few basic ingredients, you’ll be so glad you tried these!

More Delicious Sandwich Recipes to Try:

  • Copycat McRib Sandwich
  • Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Teriyaki Chicken Sub Sandwich
  • Egg Salad Sandwich
  • Patty Melts
  • Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
  • Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe

Copycat Maid Rite Sandwiches Recipe

4.47 from 45 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 40 minutes minutes

Total: 45 minutes minutes

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Serves8 sandwiches

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Whip up a Midwestern classic quickly and easily at home. Made with a combination of ground beef and pork, these copycat Maid Rite sandwiches are a true family favorite!

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Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground chuck
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • ½ yellow onion diced
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • ½ cup hot water
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon steak sauce
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Buns, American cheese slices, diced white onions, pickles, and mustard for topping

Instructions

  • To a large skillet set over medium high heat, add the chuck, pork, and onion. Brown the meats and sauté the onion.

    1 pound ground chuck, 1 pound ground pork, ½ yellow onion

  • While the meat cooks, dissolve the beef bouillon cubes in the hot water.

    2 beef bouillon cubes, ½ cup hot water

  • Drain all except 1-2 tablespoons rendered fat from the pan.

  • Add the bouillon and remaining ingredients to the browned meat.

    1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon steak sauce, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • Simmer for 30 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a couple tablespoons of water.

  • Scoop the meat onto burger buns, add any toppings, and enjoy. (For cheesy burgers, cover about ⅛ of the meat mixture with one slice of cheese and let it melt before scooping and serving.)

    Buns, American cheese slices, diced white onions, pickles, and mustard

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Make Ahead: If making the filling ahead of time, let it cool full before storing.
  • Browned Meat: To avoid greasy sandwiches, drain most of the fat off of the browned meats before continuing with step 4.
  • Other Meats: For a healthier option, try making these sandwiches with ground chicken or turkey – they’ll still be delicious!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 302kcal (15%) Carbohydrates: 2g (1%) Protein: 20g (40%) Fat: 23g (35%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 10g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 81mg (27%) Sodium: 758mg (33%) Potassium: 346mg (10%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 12IU Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 24mg (2%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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FAQs

What is the difference between a Maid-Rite and a sloppy joe? ›

While both are made with seasoned ground beef, Sloppy Joes feature a rich tomato-based sauce. The meat mixture is slightly sweet and often enjoyed without additional toppings. Loose meat sandwiches like Maid Rites, on the other hand, have no sauce at all.

What is the original Maid-Rite? ›

The original Maid-Rite sandwich was invented during 1926 in Muscatine, Iowa. Butcher Fred Angell steamed hamburger instead of frying it and slurried in some spices.

What is the famous loose meat sandwich in Iowa? ›

Maid-Rite. Maid-Rite might be a popular colloquial name for a finely-ground loose-meat sandwich, but the only official Maid-Rites are sold at one of around 30 eateries — 17 of which are in Iowa, along with corporate headquarters.

What is loose meat on roseanne? ›

A tavern sandwich (also called a loose meat sandwich or loosemeat) is a sandwich consisting of ground beef on a bun, sometimes mixed with sauteed onions, and sometimes topped with pickles, ketchup, mustard, raw onions, and/or cheese.

What is the fancy name for Sloppy Joes? ›

Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, tavern sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known however is Manwich.

What do people in Wisconsin call Sloppy Joes? ›

sloppy Joes. Some in southeastern and central Wisconsin call these "barbecue" sandwiches. For those who say Spanish hamburger, there's a good chance they grew up in the Fox Cities. Outside of Wisconsin, sloppy Joe is the dominant name.

Why is it called a Maid-Rite? ›

He worked to get just the right combination of a special cut and grind of meat and a selected blend of spices. When a deliveryman tasted Fred's new creation, he said, "This sandwich is made right." With that, the Maid-Rite was born. Fred was quite a sandwich maker but not much of a speller.

Where is the oldest Maid-Rite? ›

In 1926, the Maid-Rite sandwich was born! Fred Angell started the concept in Muscatine, Iowa. Fred began to franchise his idea, selling the rights to Newton, Iowa in 1927 and Marshalltown, Iowa in 1928.

What is the most eaten sandwich in America? ›

What's America's favorite sandwich? More cheese, please. Grilled cheese, according to the data which revealed that 79 percent of people either "like" or "somewhat like" the ooey-gooey sandwich. That's no surprise, given that it's one of the most classic comfort foods.

What is the most ordered sandwich in America? ›

America's top sandwich is the grilled cheese, according to the results of a YouGov survey that asked a representative sample of 1,223 people to weigh in on their top sandwich choice.

What is a dead Texan sandwich? ›

Two Texas toast grilled cheese sandwiches with 1/3 lb. burger, 1 egg, 2 slices of bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapenos, and peppercorn mayo in between.

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a loose meat sandwich? ›

From a certain viewpoint, you could consider a sloppy joe just a saucy take on the loose meat sandwich, which is ground beef combined with Worcestershire sauce and onions. If you find a traditional sloppy joe too saucy, then try a meaty sloppy joe recipe.

Why did the cast of Roseanne wear a chicken shirt? ›

Quoting Roseanne "The chicken shirt, it was just the ugliest shirt I ever saw and we had this bet between us, the actors; if you show something really bad on TV it takes off. It was like another rebellious artistic statement, that it looks like art when it's on TV."

What's the difference between a tavern and a sloppy joe? ›

A Tavern Sandwich, also known as a Loose Meat Sandwich, is remarkably similar to a Sloppy Joe, but without the tomato sauce or ketchup. Sloppy Joes are a must-try for meat lovers looking for a great, uncomplicated sandwich to enjoy on any occasion.

What is the difference between a tavern and a sloppy joe? ›

"Taverns are similar to sloppy joes, just not as "tomato-y;" I have made these for many church and work pot-lucks by increasing the quantities. For Zaar I cut the recipe down to 4 servings. I have had this recipe for many years and really don't have a clue where I first came across it. Works great in the Crock Pot."

Is sloppy joe and Manwich the same thing? ›

Manwich, a portmanteau of man and sandwich, is the brand name of a canned sloppy joe sauce produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's, introduced in 1969. The can contains seasoned tomato sauce that is added to ground beef cooked in a skillet.

What is the New Jersey version of sloppy joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

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