This Maid-Rite copycat recipe, also called a loose meat sandwich, is made of tender ground beef that has cooked in broth and seasoning. It’s served on a warm hamburger bun with ketchup, mustard, and pickles.
Maid-Rite originated here in Iowa where I live and has been around since the 1920s. There’s a lot of debate over how the ground beef sandwiches are made.
Some say Coca-Cola is added to the ground beef and others insist it’s only seasonings with no broth.
My grandmother worked at a Maid-Rite back in the day and says she remembers adding Coke syrup to the ground beef. However, recent employees of the sandwich chain say they only add premixed powder seasoning.
There are actually a lot of meat recipes out there that call for Coke to be added to them: Slow Cooker Gammon (Ham), Coca-Cola BBQ Turkey Meatballs, or Pot Roast. The acidity in Coke helps tenderize meat. It’s possible that certain franchises of Maid-Rite tenderized the meat with Coke syrup.
All that aside, it’s a delicious sandwich and coming up with a homemade version is fairly simple. It’s like a hamburger, but without the patty. Or like a Sloppy Joe without the sauce.
Ingredients for Maid-Rite Copycat Recipe
- Ground Beef
- Onion Powder
- Beef Broth
- Salt
- Hamburger Buns
Maid-Rite sandwiches do not have large pieces of beef, therefore, the ground beef is cooked until it is very tender and finely chopped.
Maid-Rite Toppings
A traditional Maid-Rite comes with ketchup, yellow mustard, and pickles. Chopped onion and cheese is an option you can add-on.
- Ketchup
- Yellow Mustard
- Pickles
- Chopped Onion
- Make it a copycat “Cheese-Rite” by adding a slice of cheddar cheese.
Try these other great meals!
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Bang Bang Chicken & Rice
- Cast-Iron Skillet Flank Steak
- Cheesy Potatoes
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Wraps
- Chicken Salad
- Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Street-Style Beef Tacos
- Kraft’s Italian Pasta Salad Copycat Recipe
- Spicy Tater Tot Casserole
- Ultimate Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
Enjoy!
Maid-Rite Copycat Recipe
Course: MainCuisine: American4
servings5
minutes28
minutesThis Maid-Rite copycat recipe, also called a loose meat sandwich, is made of tender ground beef that has cooked in broth and seasoning. It’s served on a warm hamburger bun with ketchup, mustard, and pickles.
Ingredients
1 lb Ground Beef
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 cup Beef Broth
1/2 tsp Salt
Hamburger Buns
- Toppings
Ketchup
Yellow Mustard
Pickles
Chopped Onion, optional
Slices of Cheddar Cheese, optional
(Called a Cheese-Rite!)
Directions
- Brown ground beef in a pan over medium-high heat. Using a spatula as it cooks, chop beef into small pieces. Drain grease. Add beef broth, onion powder, and salt. Stir and bring to a simmer for 15-20 minutes until beef is very fine and tender.
- Serve on a warm hamburger bun with ketchup, yellow mustard, and pickles.
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