Instant Pot Maid-Rite Sandwiches—seasoned, simmered flavorful loose ground beef sandwiches served with mustard and a pickle.
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 Southwest Tavern Sandwiches
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Instant Pot Maid-Rite Sandwiches
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Seasoned, simmered flavorful loose ground beef sandwiches served with mustard and a pickle.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ⅔ 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 ½ tsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4–6 hamburger buns
- Optional toppings: mustard, pickles, cheese, ketchup
Instructions
- 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.
- Add in the water, beef base, onion powder, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Stir.
- 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.
- Stir the meat to break it up. Add extra Worcestershire to taste.
- 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
*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.
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.
Hi Sharon! Welcome! I would use high pressure. I always use high pressure.
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!
★★★★
you’re so welcome Amy!
Very good, doesn’t take long to make.
★★★★★
Glad you liked it Sandra!
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!😊
Okay you talked me into making a trip to Iowa just for this purpose!!!
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!
★★★★★
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?
Yes, Karen, Pressure canning. Thank You
★★★★★
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.
★★★★★
Glad you all liked them! I haven’t tried with Coke but I will have to do that!
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
I’ve heard of those pork tenderloins and they sound great!
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
Interesting!! I’ll have to try that 🙂
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!
★★★★
Oh wow! Thanks for sharing!
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.
★★★★★
Sounds like a great meal! I love that idea of coleslaw.
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.
★★★★★
I wonder what their special spice is? I’d love to know!
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.
I’ll have to try Root Beer!!
I don’t have any apple cider vinegar On hand. Is there a substitute you could recommend?
regular vinegar should work!
We loved this recipe! Since my significant other is from Iowa he was anxious to try your recipe. It did not disappoint!
Oh thank you! I’m glad to hear 🙂
Excellent! I’m from Iowa its pretty close don’t add the salt! It becomes to salty.
★★★★★
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.
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
Sorry for the typos, tried editing but couldn’t. I mess up on my phone constantly!
Thanks Michael! Don’t worry about the typos…I do that all the time. What would you suggest I make for Arkansas?
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.
Thanks so much for sharing Dawn! Are you from Iowa?
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!
I will be interested to see what you think! Thanks for weighing in 🙂
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
Lisa, it seems the maidrites are a secret recipe that nobody can get just right 🙂
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.
I’d love to know your recipe and how they turn out!
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.
★★★★★
I’m from cedar falls Iowa, home of the original maid rite. They are the best ones.
I’ll have to come and visit and give them a try!
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.”
★★★
I really need to come to Iowa to try this sandwich!
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.
Okay! good to know, thank you.
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! 🙂
Good plan Jan!
We have them. In Midwest. Same one. Dont recall the soy sauce, or W sauce. They add cheese, slices, dill pickles. Gonna make.
Anxious to hear if you like it!
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🙃
Oh I hope he enjoys them 🙂
Any particular variety of pickle, or do you just pick one you like?
I like the garlic dill pickles best 🙂
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.
You’re welcome Kathryn! I hope you enjoy them!
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.
Thanks I love these clues! Maybe we will figure out exactly what goes into the actual sandwiches.
Does anyone have the recipe where you boil the meat??
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.
Is the old way on the stove? Thanks for sharing! I love all you Iowans.
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!
Wow a garden in March?! Where do you live?
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.,
Wow! Thanks for giving us some insider info!
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.
It is touching. I love it!