This Maid Rite Recipe will teach you all the secrets to one of my favorite hometown foods! That’s right – this is a copycat of my favorite Iowa Maid Rite. If you’re not familiar – it is a tasty loose meat sandwich – but there’s more to it than just ground beef!
What is a Maid Rite?
Now if you don’t know what a Maid Rite is – think back to the days of Roseanne. Remember when she opened a diner and they served “loose meat sandwiches”? Well – there you go! It’s like a sloppy joe without the sauce.
Besides the OG Maid Rite loose meat sandwich – you can also get a Cheese Rite or a Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich.
When I go home to Iowa – it is ALWAYS one of my stops! The funny thing is – I always order two Cheese Rites (just add a slice of cheese) or a Cheese Rite & Tenderloin Sandwich and NO FRIES. Why? Because we have french fries in Cincinnati – but we don’t have Maid Rites!
Where is the Original Maid Rite?
Maid Rites originated in the city I was born in – Muscatine Iowa! Now it’s a little bit of a point of contention – as the folks in Newton IA think they started it – but Wikipedia never lies – right? There are Maid Rite franchises mainly in Iowa but across the Midwest – also in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and right here in Ohio! Our authentic Maid Rite is in Greenville, OH and yes – I’ve been there!
What’s the difference between a maid rite and a sloppy joe?
The Maid-Rite sandwich – aka Loose Meat Sandwich – doesn’t have a sauce. You have the liquid and seasonings but those liquids cook off and the meat is “dry” whereas Sloppy Joes have a thick tomato sauce. My ex-husband referred to the Maid Rite as the “fall-apart burger” – which was a pretty appropriate name.
Maid Rite Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these delightful sandwiches:
- lean ground beef
- onion, minced – traditionalists don’t add onion to the ground beef but I think it adds flavor!
- beef bouillon cube & warm water
- you can also sub in beef broth
- brown sugar
- apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce (no salt needed here – there’s plenty in the Worcestershire & Soy Sauces)
- Hamburger buns – make sure you get cheap buns – this isn’t a time for fancy brioche buns! Trust me!
- mustard – you’ll notice I’m not listing ketchup – here’s the thing – I like ketchup on my Maid Rite but they don’t put ketchup on them in the restaurant. You can ask for it – or it’s on the table – but it won’t come on your burger
- pickles
How to Make the Traditional Maid Rite recipe?
The Iowa Maid Rite Copycat recipe is easy to make:
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef and onion over medium-high heat – chopping vigorously until the pieces are tiny
- Drain grease from ground beef
- Add bouillon, warm water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire and soy sauce and bring to a boil
- Stir and continue to chop ground beef
- Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has evaporated
- In a separate skillet, warm bun lightly just so edges start to crisp
- You can also do it in your air fryer or on a griddle top
- Top a heaping spoonful of meat onto cheap hamburger buns and top with pickles and mustard and you will be reveling in the delight of the Iowa Maid Rite!
Can you Make Maid Rites in the Crock Pot?
Yes of course! I typically make mine on the stove top – but you can easily adjust the recipe to the crock pot:
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet
- Turn the slow cooker on low
- Add ground beef and all the seasonings and liquid – then keep on low for a minimum of 2 hours of cook time – or until you’re ready to serve!
What to serve with Maid Rites
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Copycat KFC Cole Slaw
- Rhubarb Custard Pie
- Here are 30+ side dishes that go great with Maid Rites!
Other Delicious Iowa Foods
More Ways to Have Maid Rites!
Maid Rite Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion minced
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
- Hamburger buns
- mustard
- pickles
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef and onion over medium-high heat – chopping vigorously until the pieces are tiny1 lb ground beef, 1 onion
- Drain grease from ground beef
- Add bouillon, warm water, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire and soy sauce and bring to a boil1 beef bouillon cube, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
- Stir and continue to chop ground beef
- Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has evaporated
- In a separate skillet, warm bun lightly just so edges start to crisp. You can also do it in your air fryer or on a griddle topHamburger buns
- Top a heaping spoonful of meat onto cheap hamburger buns and top with pickles and mustard and you will be reveling in the delight of the Iowa Maid Rite!mustard, pickles
Video
Notes
- Make it a cheese rite by adding a slide of Land o’Lakes American
- Or make them into Maid Rite Sliders
- Or make them into Maid Rite Biscuit Sandwiches
fast fabulous foodie says
Or stop at the Maid Rite in Greenville OH and load up.
Food Hussy says
I've been there! Gum wall and all!
Anonymous says
Iowa Maid-Rites are an institution! I remember when the Maid-Rite in Lake Mills, IA burned down about 1969. I was pretty young, but remember a long period of mourning. They rebuilt and I was raised in that place. Your recipe looks great…I'm gonna try it. I make them now with beef broth and a little black strap molasses. I wrap each one in wax paper before I serve them to make it feel just like a real Maid-Rite. It's awesome!
FoodHussy says
Yaaaaaas!!!! I love them! pickles, ketchup and cheese and it's Cheese-rite perfection!
kp says
I wasn't expecting them to taste sweet. I followed your recipe to a T.
FoodHussy says
There's a little sweetness but not too much – hope you still liked them!
Anonymous says
I will be trying this recipe tonight, but thought I would let you know your beef will chop up finer and more easily if you add water to pan while browning it. In this case, I may try mixing the liquid ingredients from the recipe and adding it with the meat so it all cooks at the same time. I use water with the ground beef anytime I want it super fine….like taco meat to resemble taco bell texture.
FoodHussy says
Good tip!
Unknown says
Used to original Maid-Rite's these were not that good. Bland just loose hamburger..
Food Hussy says
Sorry you didn't love them – I think the seasonings, worcestershire and soy really add a bunch of flavor to the meat!
Jayne Homsher says
Heather this recipe for the Maid Rite sandwiches are so good and so easy to make. I am so surprised I made this last night and both my husband and I loved this dinner meal.
Unknown says
This recipe was amazing! I made over a pound for 2 and there is nothing left! So good and can't wait to share with friends!
Lame Blind Bob says
Using salt? As the Made Rite sandwich uses finer broke up ground beef, try adding your salt as the last step of the recipe. With this method, you can break up the ground beef finer and easier. So you are getting closer to the original recipe.
Anonymous says
I love this recipe. I added one final step. Load up the bun with meat, wrap in parchment or waxed paper and microwave for 15 seconds. Perfection! Just like the real deal!
Linda says
Just to let you know Heather, there is a Maid Rite in Cedar Falls, Iowa on University. Still serving the best. I will give this recipe a try. Thanks.
FoodHussy says
Thanks! it’s the best I can get in cincinnati oh is to make my own!
Jessica Markley says
Easiest way to put the meat on the bun is use an ice cream scoop while holding the back side of the buns together. You forgot BBQ Rites, just add BBQ sauce instead of ketchup. I worked at the one in Waterloo for years. I also make a few changes, you used minced onion… I substitute that for onion powder and add some garlic powder. I can’t tell you how much because I’m Iowa born & bred!
FoodHussy says
oh we didn’t have bbq rites in muscatine/cedar rapids/west liberty!
Jackie says
You brought back memories with this recipe. Memories of Neil and lunches with my grandfather. Same hometown
Trish says
Delicious! My husband ate 3 sandwiches…he told me that I needed to add it to our rotation! Easy to make!
FoodHussy says
Yeah!!! It’s a hometown favorite!
Anna says
Thank you for the nostalgia! I live in Iowa so I’ve had many Maid-Rites. There are even still three of the restaurants left in my town. This sounds close. I’ll probably leave out the sugar and I’ve seen some recipes that use pickle juice, may try that instead of ACV (also I just love pickles). And chop up the onions as small as possible – I don’t recall them being noticeable in the restaurant sandwiches.
Paula says
My dad’s family lives in Waverly but over the years they have also lived in Shell Rock, Waterloo & Parkersburg. I’m going to ask my dad about these. I bet he remembers them! I’m going to make them & send the recipe to my mom so she can make them for him! 🥰 Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
FoodHussy says
Oh yeah – every Iowan knows about Maid Rites!!!!
Ashley says
Wow these were awesome! I loved the little bit of sweetness too
FoodHussy says
glad you loved! they’re my fav too!
Jeanette says
Always a good go to sandwich. Use my instapot and works out fine
GWPDA says
I prefer to use 3/4 lb of chopped sirloin combined with 1/4 lb high quality beef chorizo (not pork).
Sherri Rochester says
I have been making these for years. Made it last night after watching Guy’s Grocery Games on Friday. Thank you for reminding me just how yummy these are!!!! Congratulations 🎉 on winning!!!
Keaton Alexander Kohl says
THE SECRET INGREDIENT! I’m also from Muscatine IA and my mom used to work for Maid Rite and the secret ingredient everyone keeps trying to hit with sugars is actually ******* (haha. i’m keeping it secret now until I can test it!).
Gina says
I am considering using your recipe for a large gathering and I was wondering if you have ever made the maid rite meat and then froze it for later use.
FoodHussy says
I have not but it would be 100% fine to do! I would just undercook the meat slightly – so when you reheat it doesn’t get dry. And when you reheat – add a little beef broth to liven it up again!
Marti says
These are wonderful. I lived in Iowa and Nebraska for many years and ate these all the time. This is a great recipe.
Barbara says
Im trying to track my protein. How many ounces is 1 burger please?
FoodHussy says
Approx 4 oz – feel free to weigh your own.