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March 7, 2020

Instant Pot Maid-Rite Sandwiches

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Instant Pot Maid-Rite Sandwiches—seasoned, simmered flavorful loose ground beef sandwiches served with mustard and a pickle.

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Instant Pot Maid-Rite Sandwiches

Each week in 2020 I’m sharing a recipe inspired by one of the 50 states. So far I’ve covered Alabama, Louisiana, Utah, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, South Carolina and Illinois. Today’s recipe is inspired by the Hawkeye State–Iowa.

When I think of Iowa, I think of a classic Midwestern state with good people. I also think of the University of Iowa and how they wave to the kids in the children’s hospital during the football games. Have you seen that? It always brings a tear to my eye. In 2017, “the Hawkeyes started the ‘Iowa wave,’ a new tradition where Iowa fans turn away from the field at the end of the first quarter to wave to the children watching from the windows of the newly built University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital that overlooks Kinnick Stadium.”

Initially when I thought of a recipe for Iowa I thought of corn. Iowa is number 1 in the country for corn production. I do have a great Instant Pot corn on the cob recipe if you’re interested!

But I decided to go with a loose meat sandwich called a Maid-Rite. According to their website “A Taylor’s Maid-Rite is a loose meat sandwich made of finely ground hamburger. The hamburger is cooked and put in a bun, then served with mustard, pickles or chopped onions. And now after 86 yrs – ketchup is available on the counter! Maid-Rite restaurants are franchises located mainly in Iowa and the Midwest. “

Don’t confuse the Maid-Rite with a sloppy joe! Although they are both made with loose ground beef they don’t taste alike. The sloppy joe has a tomato based sauce while the Maid-Rite doesn’t really have a sauce. It’s more of a loose hamburger than a sloppy joe.

I loved eating my Maid-Rite sandwich with some mustard and pickle. My kids had ketchup too. My son gobbled his up and said it was his favorite sandwich ever. I don’t know if he was just super hungry or if that was the truth. Either way…I will take it. Try these Instant Pot Maid-Rite Sandwiches for a quick and easy dinner this week!

More sandwiches worth trying…

Instant Pot Chicago’s Italian Beef

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Instant Pot Southwest Tavern Sandwiches

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Instant Pot Maid-Rite Sandwiches


★★★★★

4.7 from 12 reviews

  • Author: 365 Days of Slow and Pressure Cooking
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
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Description

Seasoned, simmered flavorful loose ground beef sandwiches served with mustard and a pickle.  


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 tsp Better than Bouillon Beef Base (or 1 beef bouillon cube)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 4–6 hamburger buns
  • Optional toppings: mustard, pickles, cheese, ketchup

Instructions

  1. Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. When the display says HOT add in the beef and break it up. Add in the salt and pepper. Brown the beef for about 5 minutes. It doesn’t need to be totally cooked through. If there is excess grease, drain it off. Turn off the saute setting.
  2. Add in the water, beef base, onion powder, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Stir. 
  3. Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When time is up let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move the valve to venting. 
  4. Stir the meat to break it up. Add extra Worcestershire to taste.
  5. Scoop the meat onto buns and top with desired toppings. 

Notes

Recipe adapted from a slow cooker version on the Slow Roasted Italian. 

I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. 

  • Category: Beef
  • Method: Instant Pot

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Tag @365dayscrockpot on Instagram

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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72 Comments Filed Under: All Recipes, Beef, Can Be Gluten Free, Instant Pot, Summer Tagged With: states

Recommendations

Comments

  1. Brandy Gonzales says

    July 25, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    This was sooo good. I wasn’t sure because it looked like plain ground beef but the flavor is amazing. Especially on a hamburger bun with mustard, pickles and we used pepperchinis too. Delicious.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 28, 2021 at 9:13 pm

      I know right? It looks plain but it tastes so good!

      Reply
  2. Sharon Bobich says

    January 23, 2021 at 5:56 am

    I’m from Pennsylvania and these sound good. We usually have sloppy joes but I’m not a fan of the tomato based sauce. I just got an IP for Christmas so I’m going to try this recipe. What level of pressure to you use? My pot has a low or high setting I believe.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 26, 2021 at 2:39 pm

      Hi Sharon! Welcome! I would use high pressure. I always use high pressure.

      Reply
  3. AMY WEST says

    January 21, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    I made as is, no changes. My picky 8 year old ate it and husband and 12 year went back for seconds. Will definitely make again, thanks for helping a mama out with all your good recipes!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 26, 2021 at 2:55 pm

      you’re so welcome Amy!

      Reply
  4. Sandra Trudeau says

    December 13, 2020 at 4:36 pm

    Very good, doesn’t take long to make.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 14, 2020 at 7:12 pm

      Glad you liked it Sandra!

      Reply
  5. Martha says

    December 12, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    Karen, I have eaten Maid-rites and they are good hamburger sandwiches. My favorite sandwich is called THE ALLEY CANTEEN which is located in Ottumwa, Iowa. It was first opened in 1932. My understanding the name came from what the soldiers drank water from during WWI & WWII.
    It is interesting that both restaurants (Maid-rites & Alley Canteen) everyone tries to duplicate the recipes at home. It seems everyone comes close but not close enough.
    I always order K & O extra Moist! In my opinion, hands down, CANTEEN IS A MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN A MAID-RITE!
    The original owners of the Canteen were THE CARTERS and it is located in an alley which is the original location. In fact, the city at one time wanted the Canteen relocated but the people of Ottumwa, Iowa got a petition to not relocate THE ALLEY CANTEEN.
    Ever visit Ottumwa, must go to THE ALLEY CANTEEN and give a Canteen a try!😊

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 14, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      Okay you talked me into making a trip to Iowa just for this purpose!!!

      Reply
  6. Sandra Trudeau says

    July 14, 2020 at 9:12 am

    I love this recipe so much. I have a question, if you or your subscribers can answer. Can this recipe be increased and pressure canned? Thank you and I love all your recipes!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 14, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      Hi Sandra, I really don’t know about that. I know you’re not supposed to use the instant pot to can though. But maybe you are talking about canning it in another way?

      Reply
      • Sandra Trudeau says

        July 15, 2020 at 9:02 am

        Yes, Karen, Pressure canning. Thank You

        ★★★★★

        Reply
  7. Jenifer says

    July 11, 2020 at 6:00 am

    My husband said he wanted Maid Rite last night for dinner ( we literally live 2 minutes from one here in Iowa) I decided to try this recipe instead for dinner. I did eliminate the soy sauce and replaced the water with Coca-Cola. ( Ive always added this to mine) They turned out delicious! Best homemade Maid Rite I’ve ever maid. My husband at more the 2 and daughter was trying to keep up raving about how I need to make them more often. He likes his with bacon, ketchup, onion and dill pickle. I like what is known as the Swiss Rite. Swiss cheese, bacon, and honey mustard, and always add dill pickle. Will be making again. Instant pot is hands down the best way to go of making these at home.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 11, 2020 at 9:52 pm

      Glad you all liked them! I haven’t tried with Coke but I will have to do that!

      Reply
    • Diana Hipsley says

      September 1, 2020 at 9:33 am

      this is interesting. I worked w someone from Atlantic. we searched forever for the sale barn recipe, which is where these sandwiches began. a friend heard this recipe on the noon Farm News on the radiio.
      brown 1# ground beef til just pink, add onion size of an egg, pour 1 can of chicken broth over,turn to low & cook til broth is gone. I have also steamed in beer.
      I will try this recipe & see how we like it. I grew up in Central IL. had a few Maidrite places. Our big sandwich is pork tenderloins–they are also popular in parts of IA,OH & IN. SOOOOOO GOOD

      Reply
      • Karen says

        September 1, 2020 at 12:37 pm

        I’ve heard of those pork tenderloins and they sound great!

        Reply
  8. Lissa says

    June 29, 2020 at 11:38 pm

    I lived all over Iowa and I love maid rites! I was told it was cola syrup. Anyways, that’s how I make them at home! Cola syrup, same stuff you use to settle the stomach. So it’s in the pharmacy area. I make them once or twice a month! Beef broth seasoning with cola syrup and simmer after fat has been drained. Yum

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 30, 2020 at 12:58 pm

      Interesting!! I’ll have to try that 🙂

      Reply
  9. Cindy Sperry says

    April 12, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    I have made maid rites with Coke, just brown your meat with onion salt and pepper and a splash of Worcestershire and then, after draining any grease, pour in enough coke or diet coke whatever you like to cover and simmer into the meat. Its delicious. I was told years ago, the secret ingredient was coca cola syrup. So thats what gave me the idea. We love them!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      April 13, 2020 at 12:23 pm

      Oh wow! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  10. Sharon says

    April 10, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    This was very good served on a toasted hamburger bun with a slice of cheese. Added mustard, ketchup and dill pickle slices. Served coleslaw on the side.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      April 13, 2020 at 12:53 pm

      Sounds like a great meal! I love that idea of coleslaw.

      Reply
  11. Susan says

    March 27, 2020 at 3:51 pm

    Making these soon. I know my sister-in-law worked for Maid-Rite when in high school. She said they put beef, minced onions, beef broth and their trademark spice in a steamer. The beef was steamed and stirred and the beef became very small and tender. I think the IP would be great for this.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 27, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      I wonder what their special spice is? I’d love to know!

      Reply
      • Marilyn Schlegel Barnes says

        May 17, 2020 at 1:12 pm

        My brother was from Muscatine, home of MaidRite. He was a barber and knew lots of people in town. He was told years ago that root beer was the special ingredient.

        Reply
        • Karen says

          May 18, 2020 at 2:57 pm

          I’ll have to try Root Beer!!

          Reply
  12. Joni says

    March 27, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    I don’t have any apple cider vinegar On hand. Is there a substitute you could recommend?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 27, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      regular vinegar should work!

      Reply
  13. Dale says

    March 10, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    We loved this recipe! Since my significant other is from Iowa he was anxious to try your recipe. It did not disappoint!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 10, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      Oh thank you! I’m glad to hear 🙂

      Reply
  14. Melissa Huffman says

    March 9, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    Excellent! I’m from Iowa its pretty close don’t add the salt! It becomes to salty.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks Melissa! I’m glad that it’s close. I can’t wait to try a real Maid Rite next time I’m near your stomping grounds.

      Reply
  15. Michael Davidson says

    March 9, 2020 at 10:49 am

    It is interesting who various regions in the states have their own food and places. I am from Arkansas and have never hear of Maid-Rites but I will.teybthis sandwich, look forward to it

    Reply
    • Michael Davidson says

      March 9, 2020 at 10:50 am

      Sorry for the typos, tried editing but couldn’t. I mess up on my phone constantly!

      Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      Thanks Michael! Don’t worry about the typos…I do that all the time. What would you suggest I make for Arkansas?

      Reply
  16. Dawn says

    March 9, 2020 at 9:47 am

    The original Maid Rite was in Muscatine Iowa. The secret recipe starts with salt and garlic salt, the rest I can’t pronounce. Frankly, your recipe sounds a lot better that the ones at work. AND NO they don’t put any type of soda in it unless it comes in powder form.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing Dawn! Are you from Iowa?

      Reply
  17. AmyAnne says

    March 8, 2020 at 11:12 pm

    As a devout follower of yours Karen, AND the child of two Iowans, I was pleased to see Maid Rites as your choice for that great state. I have grown up eating our version of them probably at least once a week. Now that I use the IP, I think that might be why we‘ve stopped eating them so often so to see a recipe for them will bring them back into our rotation. Our version has never used any seasoning other than salt and pepper but I have always wanted to try adding a few things to see how close I can get it to the franchise‘s. This should be interesting! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:17 pm

      I will be interested to see what you think! Thanks for weighing in 🙂

      Reply
      • Lisa Gronewold says

        March 12, 2020 at 6:51 pm

        I grew up in Iowa. My parents had a restaurant they made Maidrites and had donuts in the mornings. My dad quit the restaurant work. We had maidrites growing up. My dad made wonderful maidrites. I try to make his maidrites but I can’t

        Reply
        • Karen says

          March 13, 2020 at 8:41 am

          Lisa, it seems the maidrites are a secret recipe that nobody can get just right 🙂

          Reply
  18. Michelle says

    March 8, 2020 at 8:40 pm

    I’m finding this funny bc when I got my instant pot, one of the first things I thought was how I could make taverns with it. That’s what we call them in NW IA. Now I know. I do make mine differently but I’ll try this and compare.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:18 pm

      I’d love to know your recipe and how they turn out!

      Reply
    • Sandra Trudeau says

      July 14, 2020 at 9:21 am

      Hi Michelle, I am from Sioux City, Iowa. Are you familiar with the Tastee Sandwiches? I will have to submit that recipe to this site…I have the original recipe. Much different taste (love the maid rites). But a very popular sandwich in N.W. Iowa.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
  19. Mike miller says

    March 8, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    I’m from cedar falls Iowa, home of the original maid rite. They are the best ones.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:19 pm

      I’ll have to come and visit and give them a try!

      Reply
  20. Sue says

    March 8, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    Taylor’s Maid Rites don’t seem to have a seasoning, but it is the whole beef ground, not just trimmings, etc like you get in boughten ground beef. No others taste like their’s. Thanks for mentioning “the Iowa Wave.”

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:20 pm

      I really need to come to Iowa to try this sandwich!

      Reply
  21. Lurah says

    March 8, 2020 at 4:59 pm

    Taylor’s in Marshalltown is their own shop. They do not use any Maid-rite brand or franchise seasoning. Their meat is ground beef from most of the cow, not any grade of hamburger. It is steamed and drained and served into the bun. As far as I know, the remaining Maid-Rites are franchise shops and use the secret recipe flavoring.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      Okay! good to know, thank you.

      Reply
  22. Jan Armstrong says

    March 8, 2020 at 3:45 pm

    Karen,
    Thank you for this recipe! My family is typically not a “pickle on a sandwich” kind of family, but I happen to like sweet pickle relish. When I make the sandwiches, I’ll skip the pickles and add the relish to my sandwich. The rest of the family will be jealous! 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      Good plan Jan!

      Reply
  23. Macks smith says

    March 8, 2020 at 2:58 pm

    We have them. In Midwest. Same one. Dont recall the soy sauce, or W sauce. They add cheese, slices, dill pickles. Gonna make.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      Anxious to hear if you like it!

      Reply
  24. Penny Grant says

    March 8, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    While in Iowa for my husband’s 60th high school reunion, we stopped at the MAIDRIGHT restaurant for these hamburgers. He loves them. I will surprise him for lunch tomorrow. I can see his face🙃

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      Oh I hope he enjoys them 🙂

      Reply
  25. Louise says

    March 8, 2020 at 1:41 pm

    Any particular variety of pickle, or do you just pick one you like?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      I like the garlic dill pickles best 🙂

      Reply
  26. Kathryn Warrior says

    March 8, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    I grew up in Iowa and I can’t wait to make these. I just happen to have hamburger out for tonight. Thank you for this fun project of sharing a recipe from each of the states.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:26 pm

      You’re welcome Kathryn! I hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  27. Bobette Larsen says

    March 8, 2020 at 12:41 pm

    As an Iowan I can tell you Maid Rites are so delicious. And they are also known for their milk shakes and malts – yummy.
    I will have to give this a try. The seasonings were always known to be a “secret”. the hamburger was always a very fine grind. I do not know what the original recipe is, but I would be surprised if it had Soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Mostly now (as far as I know) they are more prevalent on the Eastern side of the state. Thanks for choosing this to represent our state. ( And we all love our sweet corn as well.) Once when I was there they had a big batch cooking and someone emptied a packet of dry seasonings into the cooked ground beef. Then they stirred it all up. The cooking unit was in plain site of the customers. Counter seating was in the shape of the letter “U”. And tables were around the walls.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks I love these clues! Maybe we will figure out exactly what goes into the actual sandwiches.

      Reply
    • Doris says

      September 26, 2020 at 10:41 pm

      Does anyone have the recipe where you boil the meat??

      Reply
  28. Mike Hickman says

    March 8, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    My father grew up in Iowa not far from where the ‘maidrite’ originated. I lived Just north of Ottumwa (Radar’s town) for a number of years and always loved stopping by their little shop to pick up lunch or dinner. The loose meat sandwich is the way to go –
    Usually make the ‘old way’, but gonna try this in the IP.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:28 pm

      Is the old way on the stove? Thanks for sharing! I love all you Iowans.

      Reply
  29. Kim says

    March 8, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    We added chopped scallions as additional topping. Love them & the garden’s full of them right now. This recipe is one of your best. THANKS!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      Wow a garden in March?! Where do you live?

      Reply
  30. char says

    March 8, 2020 at 11:13 am

    i worked in a maidrite sandwich shop. the owner butchered a beef. he kept out the steaks and the rest into hamburger. it was lean. all he added was worchesire sauce and salt. maidrites are so easy and so good. i will try your recipe.,

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:30 pm

      Wow! Thanks for giving us some insider info!

      Reply
  31. see mary cook says

    March 7, 2020 at 8:58 pm

    I’ll have to give these a try. I am a Sloppy Joe girl but I am intrigued by this sandwich.
    Thanks for sharing the clip about the Iowa fans waving to the kids in the Children’s Hospital.
    I hadn’t heard about that. Very touching.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9, 2020 at 5:39 pm

      It is touching. I love it!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

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