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!
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.
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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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!
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.
Maid Rite Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ cup diced onion
- ¼ cup water
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
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
Video
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Original recipe is steamed meat. In Wichita, they are Nu-ways. My parents both worked there in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Most people don’t have steaming tables at home, so this is good way to get a similar flavor quickly and easily.
We just had honest to goodness Maid-Rites in Christopher, Illinois. It has been there since before
WW II. They steam the meat, place it on a steamed bun, and top it with chopped onions and mustard. If you order one without the mustard and onion, it is called a maid-wrong. $4.35 each.
Aren’t they tasty? We still have a restaurant here too.
@Kevin Jackson, There is a Maid-rite in Springfield Illinois also. It has been there for many years. If you are ever this way you should stop in. The Lincoln Museum is also a great place to visit. So much history.
Can you expand on the history of this recipe you have provided us? My mom does not use soy sauce or sugar, nor does she cook the beef with the mustard in the skillet.
They had found the recipe from a website focusing on historic Rockford Ill. establishments. That’s all I know. So I’m curious the history of your recipe!
Thanks, Nate
The recipe is one that is passed around my local area and it is scaled up for fundraisers and served at athletic events out of roasters. I am not sure of the exact origins, but I do live in a region that takes Maidrites seriously.
The soy sauce helps to boost the meaty umami flavors and the mustard and sugar help to round it out. There isn’t much of any of it, so the beef flavor still shines but the extras give it a little pop.
Carlee
My mom’s side of the family is from Iowa. As a very young boy, we took a family vacation back to Iowa (Council Bluffs, Newton, Kellogg) in the 60’s to “make the rounds” visiting them. I didn’t know the proper names of them… I only knew them as “Iowa Hamburgers”. Here it is 61 years later, and I stumbled onto this recipe. I had a bunch of leftover Hamburger meat with taco seasoning… so I threw in the diced onions, mustard, the leftover meat and a bit of water in a skillet, put it in a bun with a slice of American cheese.
With my first bite, I was 9 years old again, and back in Iowa!
I’m glad I could take you on a trip down memory lane. I love fun food memories!
Had Maid rites for lunch today.Had them in St Cloud Minn a long time ago. 5 for a buck then. they were smaller but I ate all 5 after Racketball on Tuesday.They were in St Cloud last I checked.They also had a sliced Dill Pickel on them.
Five for a buck is a steal!
@Thomas, I’ve lived in St Cloud MN my entire life and after 8 decades the last Maid-Rite located in Waite Park closed in October of 2020. They just couldn’t survive the pandemic. The only Maid-Rite left in MN is in Brainerd.
I lost a recipe just like this one a zillion years ago. It’s wonderful to find it again.
I am so glad I could help you find it, enjoy!
I made these tonight and thought they were yummy! We live in Muscatine IA and are still able to go out to enjoy a Maidrite and frosty mug rootbeer for lunch once in a while. Thanks for the recipe!
I am so glad you liked them!
Why is there sugar in the Maid_rite sandwiches?
It’s just a bit and it adds balance. You can leave it out if you want.
The original Maid-Right was made with bull meat. Try finding that at your butcher shop today. haha Be sure to steam and leave out the soy sauce, worcestershire sauce and sugar.
I’ve seen people say it is made with beef heart and tongue too. We love it this way, but you can sure leave out the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and sugar if you prefer.
We have a Maid Rite shop here in Ohio Theirs are made with hamburger cooked then steamed, mustard, salt, pepper and, sugar on a steamed bun with pickles and a little mustard! You can get them with onion and cheese too! We always have to wait in a long line to get them!
It is funny how something so simple could be so good!