Maid Rites, or loose meat sandwiches, are a super quick and easy dinner that your family is sure to love. These ground beef sandwiches are a staple in Iowa and throughout the Midwest, now you can have one of these classic sandwiches at home no matter where you live!

Two maid rites served with fries and ketchup, ready to eat.

If you are looking for a super simple dinner for a busy night, this maid rite recipe is definitely a great answer. Maid rite sandwiches are one of those dinners that nobody complains about and it will likely take you longer to make the sides than the main dish.

Plus this recipe scales so easily, so they are perfect for parties too.

What Are Maid Rites?

Have you ever had a maid rite? They are a classic in the Midwest, especially if you live anywhere near Iowa.

If you are unfamiliar, maid rites are a loose meat sandwich made from ground beef. It’s like a sloppy joe without the tomato sauce.

Maidrites on soft but served with fries and ketchup.

Ingredients including ground beef, onion, salt, pepper, soy sauce, mustard, and water ready to be made into homemade maid rite sandwiches.

Or you could say they are like a hamburger, but in little pieces rather than a patty. And while it is a little bit like both of those, it is also something completely different and wonderful.

It is quicker and easier to make than either a sloppy joe or a hamburger and possibly more fun to eat too. There is just something about a good maid rite sandwich that makes in extra good.

Maid-Rite Restaurants

There is a chain of restaurants here in the Midwest that is famous for them. In fact they share the same name as the sandwich.

The original Maid-Rite restaurant was opened in Iowa in 1926. You can find franchises throughout Illinois and a few in Missouri as well.

I have never been to any of the others, but I am sure the one in our town is best. It is definitely a fixture here.

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Maidrite ingredients in skillet, ready to be cooked.

Cooked crumbled maidrite filling in skillet, ready to be made into sandwiches.

In addition to the namesake sandwiches, they make the most fabulous from scratch pies. They have quite the list of pies available each day and choosing one is the hardest part.

I used to always go for one with a mile high meringue. There is just something about getting a pie topped with a fluffy white cloud!

Maid rites don’t have to be reserved for the restaurant though, they are easy to make at home. In fact we had them quite a bit during my childhood.

Just like the restaurant at home!

This Maid Rite recipe has just the right balance of flavors. It’s simple enough but still really flavorful.

What to Put on Your Maid Rite

The toppings are definitely a matter of taste. A lot of people swear by just mustard and diced onions.

I prefer mine plain or with dill pickle slices. My husband likes ketchup, mustard, and a slice of American cheese.

Little Dude likes ketchup and cheese. The cheese technically makes them a cheese rite, but we won’t split hairs.

Can I make maid rites in a Crockpot?

Yes, you can make a bigger batch of Crockpot Maid Rites if you want. Or use a Crockpot to keep the filling you made in a skillet warm.

Once the meat mixture is fully cooked, you can keep it warm in a slow cooker for several hours. This is an easy recipe to double or triple if making it for a crowd!

Maid rite sandwich with crumbled ground beef filling on hamburger bun.

Plate with two homemade made right sandwiches served with fries and ketchup.

If you are looking for some fun side dishes to go with your maid rites, there are lots of great options. May I suggest some classic french fries, instant pot mac and cheese or maybe some loaded baked beans.

So grab some ground beef and buns. These maid rites are a perfect busy night dinner that are sure to make their way into your rotation.

4.79 from 291 ratings

Maid Rite Sandwiches

Author: Carlee

Servings: Sandwiches

Make your own tasty maid rite sandwiches at home with this simple recipe. Ground beef is simmered in a simple but flavorful mix of seasonings then piled on a soft bun. It is a perfect quick and easy dinner option for busy nights.

Prep: 5

Cook: 15

Total: 20

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Stir all of the ingredients together in a large skillet.
Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until meat is cooked through and most of the liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes.
Adjust salt to your liking. Then pile the beef mixture on soft buns and enjoy.

Notes

Don’t use super lean ground beef. We like using 85/15.

This recipe scales easily. You can make several pounds of burger on the stove ahead of a party and put the meat in a crock pot to keep it hot. It’s a great way to feed the team or a hungry crew.

Leftover meat can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. You can also make the meat ahead of time to reheat later, but the recipe is so quick to make it usually isn’t necessary.

We think this copycat recipe tastes pretty close to the real deal. But, there are a few ways you can make it your own. Try using Worcestershire sauce instead of soy sauce, beef broth instead of water, or brown sugar in place of the granulated sugar. You can even add a little garlic powder if you would like.