Loose Meat Sandwiches
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Packed with seasonings like brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and apple cider vinegar, these loose meat sandwiches with tender onion pieces are full of flavor and so easy to make for supper. Take them to the next level by serving them on Hawaiian sweet rolls.
Two things I love: economical ground beef recipes and easy weeknight suppers. Well, this easy loose meat sandwich recipe ticks both boxes! Also called a tavern sandwich, it’s a Midwestern specialty that originated at Maid-Rite in Iowa. They’re THE sandwich to try in Iowa (and the most popular item on the Maid-Rite menu), so today we’re making homemade loose meat sandwiches.
When I say this recipe is quick and easy, I mean it. All we have to do is cook the ground beef, onion, and seasonings in a large skillet until the meat is cooked and the sauce has thickened. They’ll be ready to serve in under 30 minutes.
Now, let’s take a moment to talk about the seasonings because they make ground beef so deliciously tasty and full of flavor. They include garlic powder, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, a combination of chicken and beef stock, seasoned salt, and pepper. As the sauce cooks down, all of these different flavors soak into the ground beef for the tastiest loose meat sandwiches ever!
Meat sandwiches are always a hit in my house if you love this one make sure you try Easy Sloppy Joes, Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Steak Sandwiches, Club Sandwich or Italian Beef Sandwiches
A lil’ housekeeping
Before we dive in, a couple of housekeeping notes. Firstly, it’s very important you use lean ground beef as you will regret using regular beef when you realize how greasy it makes these puppies in the end. Secondly, this recipe isn’t complete without a packet of Hawaiian sweet rolls. They’re the absolute perfect vessel for our loose meat sandwiches. Trust me, it is very important that you use Hawaiian sweet rolls for this. If you use a regular hamburger bun, it’s going to fall to pieces and be a big old mess. Plus it won’t have that flavor in the bun that these rolls have.
Keep reading for lots of topping and serving suggestions.
Recipe Ingredients
- Garlic powder
- Brown sugar
- Onion
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce
- LEAN ground beef
- Apple cider vinegar
- Seasoned salt
- Black pepper
- Chicken and beef bouillon cubes (or a cup of beef or chicken broth instead)
- Hawaiian sweet rolls
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How To Make Loose Meat Sandwiches
I know, my onions are not chopped fine but this is about as far as I get before my brain is ready to move on to the next step. Finely chopped is a relative phrase.
Then add onions and beef to a large skillet.
Pour in water or if you are using chicken broth and beef broth, pour that in here now.
Now start mixing up the ground beef with the water.
You’ll notice that with the added water the ground beef gets really, really fine. That is what we want.
This is how we make hot dog chili and it is perfect for this meat as well. You’re going to end up with very fine granules of tender beef and the water cooks out.
You want to put that over medium-high heat and cook it until the meat is done and there is no more pinkness.
It will get done pretty quickly in this case because all of that water is cooking it at the same time the heat is.
Now add everything else.
Return this to the stovetop and stir it really, really well.
Cook over medium to medium-high heat, stirring often until the liquid cooks down as pictured below. This part may take anywhere from ten to twenty minutes.
Just find something to read and hang out around the stove. Or even better, let your kids do this part while you go put your feet up.
This is our finished loose meat, all ready for sandwiches.
Assemble your loose meat sandwich
Using a slotted spoon, strain out some of the meat and press it into a pile on top of the center of a cut Hawaiian sweet roll.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add the toppings of your choice (lots of options below). I’m opting for mustard…
But they also taste so good with pickles.
Then I say you should serve them with a side of potato chips.
Enjoy!
Storage
- If you happen to not eat all your meat, simply store it in the fridge for up to three days. Then when you would like some, heat it up in the microwave or add it to a skillet with a splash of water. This will warm it up and prevent the meat from burning.
- Go right ahead and freeze any of the ground beef you don’t eat right away. It will freeze for up to three months in the freezer. You can freeze the meat in a freezer bag or airtight container that is freezer-friendly.
Recipe Notes
- I have gotten away from using bouillion cubes to keep salt levels low and substituted them with beef and chicken broth. I find these give the meat even more flavor. But use whatever you feel comfortable with.
- Feel free to use yellow onion, white onion, or even green onion.
Recipe FAQs
What is a loose meat sandwich made of?
A loose meat sandwich or tavern sandwich includes seasoned ground beef sauteed with onions served on a bun and topped with condiments such as dill pickles, ketchup, mustard, and cheese.
What is a loose meat sandwich called?
A loose meat sandwich can be called a variety of names, depending on where in the Midwest you are. This includes the aforementioned tavern sandwich, a Maid-Rite after its birthplace, a Nu-Way, a Steamer, a Big T, or a loose hamburger sandwich.
Does this recipe double?
Grab a larger pan and go right ahead and double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe. This is a great ground beef recipe to serve up for birthday parties, family gatherings, and more.
What do you eat with loose meat sandwiches?
Okay, there are endless ways to serve your loose meat sandwich, so here are just some serving suggestions:
- These loose meat burgers are absolutely sublime when topped with ketchup, mustard, and pickles.
- But use your favorite condiment, whether that’s ketchup, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, or mayonnaise.
- My husband insists that purity is best and has them as they are, nothing added, just on the roll.
- Add your favorite burger toppings: red onion, tomato slices, lettuce, crispy bacon, and American cheese.
- Serve them as a main dish with a side, like mac and cheese, roasted sweet potato wedges, onion rings, or parmesan oven fries.
- Add a side salad. They’d also taste great with my burger slaw or coleslaw on the side.
Can I use ground turkey to replace ground beef?
If you want a leaner loose meat sandwich recipe, opt for ground chicken or turkey. It will of course change the flavor a bit, but it will still be just as delicious as the beef.
What is the difference between a loose meat sandwich and a sloppy joe?
The biggest difference between these two sandwiches is that the latter is known for its tomato-based sauce. Loose meat sandwiches are meat without sauce. But both recipes are just as messy as each other!
This loose meat sandwich recipe is one of those recipes you just have to try.
You may also enjoy these sensational sandwich recipes:
Ingredients
- 3 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 whole onion, finely chopped
- 1.5 tsp seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 to 4 cups water eliminate this step if you are using broth
- 2 beef bouillon cubes or two cups of broth
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes or two cups of broth
Instructions
- Put beef and onion in a large skillet along with water. Chop up beef really really fine while bringing it to a low boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring and chopping often, until no longer pink.3 pounds lean ground beef, 3 to 4 cups water, 1 whole onion, finely chopped
- Add everything else and continue lightly boiling, stirring often, until water is cooked down and the ground beef mixture gets thick.2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1.5 tsp seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 beef bouillon cubes, 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- Strain beef out and press small mounds of beef onto cut Hawaiian sweet rolls. Top with your choice of condiments. Mustard is highly recommended.
Notes
Nutrition
Hey, Christy! I have one of those thingy’s that you use to moosh the ground beef with. I could not manage my kitchen without it. I highly recommend that your fans who do not have this gadget get in touch with a Panpered Chef rep ASAP and order one. They can also be bought on Amazon.com. Love, love, love being friends with you <3
I love being able to call you my friend Barbara!!
I absolutely LOVE my Pampered Chef mix & chop! I have even bought them for family and friends especially the ones that I cook at their house. Christy, I am making this recipe as I am typing this and smells delicious already! Thank you Christy for being you and sharing your love of food and your beautiful family with us on a daily basis!!
I have never had a loose meat sandwich, but will give this one a try. I love trying out old fashioned recipes. I’ll let you know how my husband likes them since he’s the real taste tester in my house. Love your newsletters and your personality. Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next one. Thank you.
I can’t wait to hear Diane!!
I made these exactly by the recipe and Did Not like them. I didn’t care for the taste. I like pretty much all foods and like to try new recipes. Years ago I made a dis similar , ground beef and water and mashed up real fine and a few chopped onions in it. Cooked until beef was done and some water left then made a paste of flour and water to thicken and poured over toast , biscuits also salt and pepper added Did like your pepper stew. Enjoy your post
Sorry to hear that you didn’t like them Virginia, hopefully the next recipe will be for you 🙂
Do you remember the loose meat sandwiches we used to have at school? I vaguely remember it seemed they had some sort of mustard base…I loved those!!!! Can’t wait to try these!
I discovered Loose Meat sandwich a few years ago and it was from the Blue Mill Tavern in Iowa. They claim to be the original 🙂 a bit different but very yummy. I will have to try this version in the next few days. I love your recipes and your sunny nature. You have brighten my day many times when it was needed. Bless you! Thank you for many yummy dinners
Thank you so much Michelle, you are too sweet! I hope you enjoy the sandwiches!!
Hi Christy from Albuq. NM!! Learned about your blog from your Father!! Your biggest cheerleader!! He’s sooo proud! I see why!! I signed up & realize we have similar backgrounds. I first majored in “Home Ec” as they call it,but when 200+ applied for 1 HS opening… I changed my Mj to Community Health Ed- emphasis on Safety, Addictions, Chemistry, & Nutrition. I landed working in LE!! & volunteered in EMS field. Who’s a thunk!’
Wanted to share w/ others, I didn’t need a gadget to “loosen” ground meat. I used the “S” shaper potato masher. I’d press it and rotate time & again, till I got the almost cooked meat to loosened consistency. I too AFD water to keep moist, and cook it off to the point I want it.. I made these before I knew they were called “LM” sandwiches… I called them Sloppy Joes. I added liq. Smoke too… Later removed all MSG additives from cooking to not aggravate hi Blood Pressure!
Still have many Home Ec (mimeographed) recipes! I look back fondly. I still enjoy cooking and baking( used to compete in 4-H) in the State of Texas!! I was about 7-8 yo when I started baking.. Then cooking. I have enjoyed your blog & look forward to more great entries!!
Hi Marquita, Welcome to Southern Plate!!! I am so glad to have you here and look forward to getting to know you better. Love that we have so much in common!!!
Darned if I’m not making these again, twice in the last 3 weeks. Thank you for jogging my good memories of these little beauties. I’m also trying Coke instead of Root Beer just to see if those ole timers had it going on. Also switched to Kings Hawaiian Savory Butter rolls instead of KH Sweet rolls. Will let you know.
They were good as usual and I could not tell the difference between using Coke & Root Beer.
Oh Christy, these were scrumptious. We are having a big snowstorm here today, so I made these, and they warmed up right up. I do not have Accent, so I eliminated that and I halved the bouillon cube amount for the beef and chicken. Other than that, made them exactly as written. Delicious. Thank you for a yummy, easy dinner.
I am so glad you liked them Teresa!! I hope y’all stay safe and warm!